PJ
CTW Expert
Posts: 176
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Flying
Nov 26, 2009 9:26:20 GMT -5
Post by PJ on Nov 26, 2009 9:26:20 GMT -5
I posted this over in Brads post on his grapple to answer a question about my avatar and it got out of hand, so I'm re doing it here. My avatar was a shot taken by my son when we were flying in Oklahoma last spring. I was a very hazy day as you can see. We were in this, a Blantik L-13. We just pulled it out of the hangar.  Here I'm prepping for a landing. Has to be perfect, as there's no room for a mistake.  I have commercial fixed wing, Helicopter and Glider ratings, but I love the peace and serenity of glider flight along with it being a constant challenge. PJ |
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PJ
CTW Expert
Posts: 176
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Flying
Nov 26, 2009 9:40:27 GMT -5
Post by PJ on Nov 26, 2009 9:40:27 GMT -5
Stump puller asked the logic in the forward swept wings. The theory was that the wings would capture more air,(lift). I have no idea if it really works, as very few aircraft, especially slow flying ones have this design. It is a gentle aircraft to fly with it's very positive feel on the controls. The controls are a little heavy, but not that much. It's good for mild aerobatics, loops, rolls etc. While mentioning aerobatics, my son has a rare Swift fully aerobatic glider that is one of only a couple in the US. He won the national glider aerobatic championships last October in Denison, Texas. He is now our national glider aerobatic champion. A couple of photos of him at Denison. Needless to say, were very proud of him. PJ There's a video of the flight on UTube. www.youtube.com/watch?v=ugfqli83K2wYouTube - Paul Jennings 4 Min Free US Nationals Everything has to be done in an invisible box laid out by the officials, with a lower limit a ceiling and 4 walls. Any time the aircraft goes outside of this box, it's a disqualification of the whole flight. With only check points on the ground and monitoring your maneuvers, it's pretty tough. |
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GuglioLS
Administrator 
Jinma354 LE
Posts: 1,276
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Flying
Nov 26, 2009 10:34:16 GMT -5
Post by GuglioLS on Nov 26, 2009 10:34:16 GMT -5
Hi PJ,
I envy you and your sons hobby of gliding. What an exciting sport! After watching that video of your sons aerobatics all I can say is WOW!! Looks like he stalled it at least 5 times, truly amazing for a glider. What elevation (above ground) did he start at?
Larry
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PJ
CTW Expert
Posts: 176
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Flying
Nov 27, 2009 6:36:33 GMT -5
Post by PJ on Nov 27, 2009 6:36:33 GMT -5
Larry, don't quote me on this but I think on this competition he started at the 5,000 foot level. His aircraft, the Swift, is so slick in design, it picks up speed extremely fast in straight down flight, which gives you very little time to get your act together. It is rated for 10 Gs up and 10 Gs down, meaning the aircraft can take tremendous punishment. It's rare because they haven't been made for about 8 or 9 years now and it doesn't look like the factory is ever going to start up again. Being one of the finest aerobatic gliders ever built, anytime a Swift goes up for sale, which is very rare, their usually jumped on by the Europeans aerobatic pilots before the adds hit the general public. My son was lucky as he bought his through a private party in Arizona, who would only sell it to a U.S. qualified aerobatic pilot.
One of the maneuvers that the judges like that he does is a back slide and in the process, rotate the AC 180 degrees and snap it over backwards. Not a maneuver for those with a weak stomach. He will perform in the 2010 competition in Texas in preparation for a hopeful trip to the world aerobatics in Europe in 2011. Hopefull, as he needs to pick up a few sponsors. The cost is around $50,000.00, just for the trip and shipping his plane there and back. Amazing what stuff costs today. Wheres it ever going to end? PJ
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Flying
Nov 28, 2009 8:51:22 GMT -5
Post by bradblazer on Nov 28, 2009 8:51:22 GMT -5
PJ, Thanks for posting this - Wow - I'm sure you are proud of your son! That is a beautiful video. I need to show it to one of my buddies at work who is a very active glider pilot. He flies out of a field just west of Winston-Salem. $50,000 doesn't sound so bad considering the scope of the trip. It is wonderful that such things are possible today. Speaking of weak stomach - mine would last about 30 seconds into that flight.  Brad |
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PJ
CTW Expert
Posts: 176
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Flying
Nov 28, 2009 10:11:04 GMT -5
Post by PJ on Nov 28, 2009 10:11:04 GMT -5
PJ, Thanks for posting this - Wow - I'm sure you are proud of your son! That is a beautiful video. I need to show it to one of my buddies at work who is a very active glider pilot. He flies out of a field just west of Winston-Salem. $50,000 doesn't sound so bad considering the scope of the trip. It is wonderful that such things are possible today. Speaking of weak stomach - mine would last about 30 seconds into that flight. Brad The voices you hear in the background are the judges who are all aerobatic pilots themselves, some glider, some power. He did so well in their eyes that he got a standing ovation at the awards ceremonies from all the other pilots. I asked him what was his reply and he said that he was so overwhelmed, he couldn't say anything for a while. Cool huh. |
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PJ
CTW Expert
Posts: 176
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Flying
Dec 9, 2009 5:10:28 GMT -5
Post by PJ on Dec 9, 2009 5:10:28 GMT -5
We just got word that he might have picked up two sponsers, one for $50,000 and another for an undisclosed amount. Looking better for the 2011 world competitions in Europe.
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Flying
Dec 9, 2009 11:01:41 GMT -5
Post by bracabric on Dec 9, 2009 11:01:41 GMT -5
Glad you like gliding, I did some many years ago with the RAF and enjoyed it greatly, peace, tranquility and the views.
Love the head gear by the way , great decoration ! but then I'm biased ,
Dick
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PJ
CTW Expert
Posts: 176
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Flying
Dec 10, 2009 6:00:34 GMT -5
Post by PJ on Dec 10, 2009 6:00:34 GMT -5
Glad you like gliding, I did some many years ago with the RAF and enjoyed it greatly, peace, tranquility and the views. Love the head gear by the way , great decoration ! but then I'm biased , Dick Your right Dick, peace and tranquility are the main benifits I find in flying gliders also. But, I still miss jerking my old Stearman around the sky on ocassion!  ME!  |
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PJ
CTW Expert
Posts: 176
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Flying
Dec 27, 2009 3:15:28 GMT -5
Post by PJ on Dec 27, 2009 3:15:28 GMT -5
Glad you like gliding, I did some many years ago with the RAF and enjoyed it greatly, peace, tranquility and the views. Love the head gear by the way , great decoration ! but then I'm biased , Dick Dick, I know this might sound crazy, but I never picked up on on the head gear thing. We have a 1972 MGB and have bought parts from "The Little British Car Company", including the hat. Our Car after a 17 month restoration, which I gave to the wife. This is her winning a first place trophy with it in North Carolina last year.  |
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Flying
Dec 28, 2009 8:38:34 GMT -5
Post by bracabric on Dec 28, 2009 8:38:34 GMT -5
Ohhhhhhhh....... MGB Roadster, Used to have one, their main problem (which you will most likely know by now) was metal rot in the sills below the doors. I sold mine to a Guy who lived on a private airfield (Shobden, Herefordshire ) as I had too much on at the time to do it up myself and much needed doing. Your (sorry your wife's ) MGB Looks wonderful and I am turning green as I write this ! First place is some achievement !! where abouts in NC? I have a pal who lives near High Point. Don't worry about the hat, just my attempt at humour.
At the time I had the MGB Roadster I was also trying to convert an NSU RO 80 ( Wankel rotary engine) to a conventional engine which I did with indifferent success, I put a V4 Ford GT engine in (not enough room for a longer engine) which was rather like putting a Tractor engine in a Ferrari ! and didn't have time for the MGB. Just to make you turn green also, when I was 19 (in 1963) I called at a Farm in north Warwickshire and there, with Chickens sitting in it and s***ing in it was a Jaguar XK 120, the Farmer said I could have it for 25 Pounds........... and I just didn't have it !! Oh well !!
My dream would still be an Austin Healy 3000 although the wait of the (small truck) engine made the steering very heavy, or maybe a Triumph TR 6 but with the European fuel injected engine (lots more Horses)
If she doesn't already know it, your wife's a very fortunate woman !
Dick
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PJ
CTW Expert
Posts: 176
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Flying
Dec 29, 2009 8:09:26 GMT -5
Post by PJ on Dec 29, 2009 8:09:26 GMT -5
Hmmm, Jag 120, wow! What I wouldn't give to have one. When comparing prices from back in the 60s to the prices for the same cars, in the same condition today, is very disheartening. Almost makes me sick thinking how many cars I had to turn down years ago because money was tight. You know the old routine, house payments, raising a couple kids, sending them to collage is pretty tough, let alone buying play toys for us. Now that I have a couple more penny's to spend on me, the prices go out of sight. It's a no win situation, unless of course, one just falls in my lap. |
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PJ
CTW Expert
Posts: 176
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Flying
Feb 25, 2010 6:18:55 GMT -5
Post by PJ on Feb 25, 2010 6:18:55 GMT -5
April 24th, there's an air show at the Tulsa, OK international airport, on the general aviation side. My son was asked by the show sponsors to perform in it. He even gets paid for it. I missed the competition in Texas where he won 1st place in the National championships, but we intend to be in Tulsa on the 24th! Their predicting 50,000 people will attend. He's still working on competing in the world championships in Europe next year. He's picked up some sponsors also.
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