Gary's Blog :: August Update

August Update

Mon Aug 11, 2008 5:13 pm

Well, figured it was time to update the blog again. Not much flying going on in the last few months. Only got to fly once last month, got a few scooter tows in and 1 extended flight out of the bunch. It was pretty cool being there when a local TV reporter got to take a Tandem Aerotow with our local instructor for a segment they were doing for a local morning news show. I am still getting use to the new Z5 harness. Still have to make a effort to remember to unzip when approaching the field, guess my old harness spoiled me but I think I will grow to like the new Z5 once I get some more hours under my belt.

I did order some new prescription sun glasses from wally world and have got a chance to fly with them several times now. I normally wear bifocals but I could not get the glasses I wanted in a bifocal so I got them for distance, which is more of what I was worried about. I have always had trouble from altitude telling what crops were in the fields below me. The new glasses have worked well in that respect and I think that they will come in handy when I decide to finally do my first no return cross country flight.

There were a bunch of people at the field Saturday but I had other commitments and could not stay. I did drop by to pick up a few club shirts that I ordered, but had to leave to head to columbus.

I did get out Sunday morning for a little while. I managed to get one more aero tow under my belt before I had to leave for more commitments. This was only my 4th aerotow. Wind was almost 90 degree's cross the runway so we set up 45 degrees to the main runway. I decided I wanted to tow without the stab this time. After waiting a while for the wind finally cleared to launch. A long roll out on the cart across a very bumpy field then finally off the cart. Right wing dropped immediately after leaving the cart, but I was on top of it really quick. First 300 feet of the tow I find myself in a little PIO. I relaxed and lightened my control inputs and all was good. Rest of the tow was pretty uneventful. Pretty textured air for sure and a faster tow than I was used to. Pinned off a little over 2000 FT AGL in what I thought might be a decent thermal, but after 3 or 4 360's it was gone. After landing and talking to our tug pilot he said he was flying a little faster than normal because of the conditions. I do not know how accurate my airspeed indicator is on the new 6030 but it recorded between 38-42 during the tow, mostly in the 40's.

I always try to look back and learn something from every flight. As far as the PIO goes, I think flying without the Stab made the control inputs easier than what I have been used to. I am a little under weight for my glider anyways, and with the stab I really had to get aggressive with my control inputs to get the glider to do what I wanted. I think think flying without it for the first time I was still using those agressive inputs. Once I settled in and lightened up my inputs the PIO issue went away. I always hated flying the glider with the fin on because it was much harder to turn. Glad I am past that now.

Also got some great advice from Larry, one of our local more experienced pilots. I really appreciate all the helpful advice he and other more experienced pilots have to offer. I always put my brain in sponge mode when I am around these guys so I can soak up as much info as possible.

Had to call it a day after the one tow as I promised the better half I would be home by 1:00PM. Ended up with only the one tow but it was great to get a little air time anyways.

Gary

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steve555
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Joined: 04 Jan 2007
Posts: 514
Location: pittsburgh pa

Posted: Tue Aug 12, 2008 8:26 am Post subject:

Hey Gary!!!

Great to hear you got out to the field to get you some.
I have to admit I was starting to get a little worried.

It's actually kind of weird to show up and NOT see you there drinking coffee next to your already set up glider.

Hope to see you flying out there again soon. mosh

Later

Steve

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