Mrs. 914 might think I spend too much time in the garage, she bought me an intro flight on a glider.
I liked it! Unfortunately I have enough frustrating expensive vices....
.. meh, what's one more? 
I got a few minutes of ground school explaining the wings, alerons, air brakes, how the tow hitch works etc. I was to go up with a trainer named Michelle in an older Blanik two seater, but because a lady was there and got this as a birthday gift, I let her go first. Good things happen to those who are polite. I went up with Tim in a brandy new some other brand, excellent gages, comfy seating and wonderful visibility; it also has a better L/D ratio than the Blanik.
Photo #2 with BP on the tail is the one I had, photo #3 is the Blanik.
This is a club. You pay $500 to be a member but this includes all the training and flight time required to get a License and solo. You pay for each tow, $15 to 1000 ft., $20 to 2000ft., and $25 to 3000 ft.
We were towed to 2000 feet and Tim released us, the tow plane pitches down and left, we go high and right. Nice, very quiet. Cloudbase, the bottom of the clouds were about 2700 feet. We hit a thermal under a cloud and went up at about 80 - 100 feet per minute. After some chit chat he asked if I wanted to drive. OK, but can we go straight and let me take it from there, easier to get a feel going straight. No problem. Hopped out of the thermal and I drove. At 2400 feet I turned left on the front edge of one and went up at 200 feet per minute. This is a newer glider and it felt like we were spiralling in a very tight circle, like the inside wing was stapled to the sky and we pivoted around it.
Tim said I had a nice touch (I used to hang glide). He says even pilots have trouble with gliders because it's about feel and finesse and not powering through it.
Anyway, I had a good time and thought you might like the photos. I plan on joining the club and taking the required ground school in the spring.
I thought if I bought one of these a two-seater would get the bride to go but I'll have to get her a ride before any decisions like that can be made. Besides, going solo and competing is fun too, right?
Dan
Saratoga Lake.
Hot Rod solo:
