Flying without an engine

A Robin DR-400 aerotug towing us to 2500ft above the Hampshire countryside

Last Tuesday I had go at gliding at Lasham Airfield, one of Europe's premier gliding centres. After a quick safety briefing on the ground, the aerotug took us to 2500ft where the rope was disconnected and the glider left to gently turn inside a rising thermal. During the flight I was shown the the proper gliding attitude and airspeed, followed by the effects of the controls-climbing,descending,turning and flight close to the stall. Obviously the main differences to the powered flying I am used to is the absence of an engine-no mixture and throttle to worry about, this makes it alot quieter, although the rush of the airflow around the canopy breaks any eerie silences.

The airbrake was another feature different to a small GA powered aircraft,used to create drag and increase the rate of descent by disrupting the lift over the wing. I found the glider which was a German built K13 to be very responsive, and the increased amount of rudder needed quite pronounced- the large wingspan of a glider incurs alot of adverse yaw and aileron drag so rudder is used to coordinate all turns.

The K13 glider at rest

I will certainly be doing more gliding alongside my PPL course- as it not only develops your general handling and flying skills but its great hitching a lift with mother nature as you have to be able to recognise areas generating thermals therefore lift. A good challenge!