New Glider

[ZorsT]

Yesterday, I went solo in a new glider for me,

Grob single Astir, ZK-GNH

I found it much like the Ka6 i upgraded from (handling wise), with the following major differences.

1) It is VERY quiet - almost too quiet (can't judge airspeed without the ASI)

2) The seating position is very relaxed

3) The flying attitude is very high - that is, to fly at max L/D, it seems as if your legs are higher than youe head, and that you are about to fall from the sky.

4) It floats WAY better - you can get places with less height loss

5) you can go MUCH faster with less height loss.

"Much like a Ka6, but better in every way"



A picture of the Ka6 can be found here:

http://www.glidingnelson.co.nz/index...=1&key=7&hit=1

[Jantar]

The Grob is a nice glider to fly. Much better penetration than the old K6, yet I still have a soft spot for the older machine, and if its a scratchy type of day I'd rather be in a K6 than the Grob. But then the best glider of all, IMO, is the Jantar.

[terbang]

Different to the Rhonlerche that I solo'd in in 1977 I bet.

[ZorsT]

Very much so, I also solo'd in a Rhonlerche. Wasn't in '77 though.

[terbang]

Very much so, I also solo'd in a Rhonlerche. Wasn't in '77 though.

Jeez I just looked at yer profile and yer werent born in 77 (feelin old) Nice to see some other aviators on the site and one so young. I didn't do too much gliding only enough to solo. Used to tow gliders in an old Piper cub (ZK-BOV) to get hours up for my commercial licence. It was a great time in my career and even after 16,000 hours I still have that passion for flight that I had then at age 17..

[Jantar]

Different to the Rhonlerche that I solo'd in in 1977 I bet.

I did my first 5 hour flight and Silver height gain in a Rhonlerche. The only glider with a cockpit large enough to get up and walk around in..... well almost.

[bobsmith]

Damn that looks nice.

Been flying for about 180 hours on fixed wing aeroplane, working up to my commercial licence (done test and all just need my hours) looks like fun. I'm thinking about getting into gliding myself, tow gliders to build up some hours and get free membership to club etc... (one of my lecturer is an instructor at the feilding gliding club here so I'll be going there to have a look at them next weekend and subscribe for a three flight package they have there.)

so what kind of hourly rates can you expect on a glider like that zorst?

It's good to see that there are other aviators in this forum, 16,000 hours! That's a long way away for me... What aircrafts do you fly for your day job terbag? Nice looking jet in your profile. (is that a citation or a learjet? my first guess would be a learjet but I can never tell them apart very well)

[ZorsT]

That glider is rented out for $39 an hour,

But i'll be buying bulk. $650 for unlimited rental for a year. I think the Nelson Club is one of the cheaper clubs in the country though.

Our winch gives us launches for $10 a pop. Makes it affordable for a motorbike racing student such as myself

edit: plus, who could say no to a launch like that?

[bobsmith]

darn that's very affordable... I think even I can somehow manage to squeeze that much out of myself every year.

I think it costs a bit more at Manawatu gliding club. Will have to talk to them next weekend about pricing etc though since I don't think they have a website. They only do tow launch as well I believe...

About how many hours of flying do you get in every weekend?

[ZorsT]

depends hugely on the day.

yesterday, since i wasn't used to the glider, and the day wasn't really that brilliant, i got a total of 6 minutes. (one flight, pretty much an extended circut)

Many people dissapear for hours at a time on a decent day (most of the time)

[thealmightytaco]

Does it have Sony 6x9's?

[ZorsT]

Does it have Sony 6x9's?

some do have sterios in them that cut out when their radio is recieving, but its not the point!

Bob:

http://sites.ourregion.co.nz/glidingmanawatu/home.html

[thealmightytaco]

What about a bidet?

[bobsmith]

Cool Thanks for the link. Pity they don't have more information on it like your club does.

That's a pretty impressive launch. I've seen a few tow launches but never seen a winch launch before.

[terbang]

Damn that looks nice.
What aircrafts do you fly for your day job terbag? Nice looking jet in your profile. (is that a citation or a learjet? my first guess would be a learjet but I can never tell them apart very well)

Currently driving Boeing 737-300/400 (with the big rat on the tail) have only been on them for 1 year. The profile picky is a Gulfstream GIV-SP. I flew this aircraft for 2 years (has to be my favourite type) before going back into the Airlines on the 73. GIV is also a good glider..!
I am also rated on BAe 146, AVRO RJ, and Dash 8.