This was the standard "First Solo"
picture.GLIDER FLYING
(for Seniors)
When I started on this adventure at age 84, I had serious doubts whether I could still do this sort of thing. First I had three rides at a soaring club, with the intention that I would become a member and get "checked out." But they had only one instructor, they fly only on weekends, and the numbers ahead of me grew from one to seven by reason of other members returning and claiming their place in line.
So I went to Arizona Soaring, Inc., which is located about 40 miles southwest of Phoenix, and began flying there on October 4th, 2009. I think it took me longer than it would for a young person, but it wasn't bad. My total logged glider time when I finished the Practical Test was 6 hours and 33 minutes. But because it was not good soaring season, the flights were very short, and I had 47 flights, including 15 solo, in that length of time.
This was the standard "First Solo"
picture.
November 3, 2009
The glider is a trainer, Schweizer 2GS2-33A. The paint on the nose is worn, but the plane performs as it should. It has recently been repainted.
My Practical Test with an FAA designated examiner was completed on December 2nd.
http://www.serioussports.com/azsoaring/index.html
This is the Operations Building at Arizona Soaring.
They have a hangar on the other side of this, where all their planes are stored at night.
This view is looking northwest, and the runways are off to the right, such that a person in the office can see and record takeoff and landing times.
This shows one of the tow planes, and the general position for towing.
They use a paved runway for takeoffs and two unpaved runways for landings,
In addition, there is a "bypass"
runway for the returning tow plane to get around gliders waiting for takeoff.
A closer view of a tow plane, showing the towline.
Arizona Soaring has at least three of these trainers.
Here two of them are secured to the ground to prevent gusts from damaging them.
They also have some high performance gliders, used both for demonstration and instruction.
A tow plane is parked at the refueling station.
Soaring is a wonderful sport -- clean, harmless and challenging.
Everyone I've met here is friendly and competent (including the dog who sometimes helps with the towline), so I enjoyed every bit of it.
In this photo, the towplane has started the takeoff run, and the glider nose skid is just getting clear of the ground.
It takes only about 20 seconds to get airborne.
Notice that the glider has the left wing slightly low. That's to counteract a crosswind from the left. In effect, it's "leaning" into the wind.