B2Soar
Pre-takeoff checklist
Hello glider guys,
I suppose some of you have done this. Three of us glider pilots and a CFII from ND flew a C-182 towplane to Minden arriving Tuesday March 17. Two of us alternated recieving IFR instruction on the flight there and back. It was the first mouintain flying for both of us and a great experience.
It was the first time for all of us at Minden. There are over 80 gliders based at the field KMEV. We arrived about 8am and briefed on field operations for a couple of hours. We decided to get checked out in an ASK 21 which none of us had flown before. Beautiful bird both in appearance and flight characteristics. Our first tows were to 3000' agl and I got the second tow which was after lunch. Field elevation is 4700' msl and we released at 7700'msl. Tow was a bit sporty which is the way I like it as it is an indication lift may be available. We found .5 to 4 knots lift and after about 15 minutes were at 9500' msl. Then suddenly it was like floating on cotton as we were in wave (my first) and getting 3-4 knots of lift. This and what happened next were the highlights and worth all costs of the trip for me. There is a 3-4 thousand foot high ridge running N-S just to the west of Minden. We were getting high enough to see over this ridge and a spectacular lake slowly appeared to the west. My first peak at Lake Taho and what a way to see it! In less than 10 minutes we were at 11,800' msl and a strange flapping noise developed which scared the check pilot into deciding to descend and land. I would have loved to stay up there or higher for hours but we landed after a 48 minute flight which was my all time top one ever. The flapping noise was the wing root gap seal tape which had let loose. It was too close to see in flight. Maybe a good thing it let loose or we probably would still be up there and the other two guys would be ticked at me. We ended up all getting three tows and the CFII did the towing. I think we showed him enough fun that he will get his glider rating soon. Sorry this is so long but it took me lots of words to even partiallly describe my enjoyment. I really recommend this if you have not done it already.
Rick
I suppose some of you have done this. Three of us glider pilots and a CFII from ND flew a C-182 towplane to Minden arriving Tuesday March 17. Two of us alternated recieving IFR instruction on the flight there and back. It was the first mouintain flying for both of us and a great experience.
It was the first time for all of us at Minden. There are over 80 gliders based at the field KMEV. We arrived about 8am and briefed on field operations for a couple of hours. We decided to get checked out in an ASK 21 which none of us had flown before. Beautiful bird both in appearance and flight characteristics. Our first tows were to 3000' agl and I got the second tow which was after lunch. Field elevation is 4700' msl and we released at 7700'msl. Tow was a bit sporty which is the way I like it as it is an indication lift may be available. We found .5 to 4 knots lift and after about 15 minutes were at 9500' msl. Then suddenly it was like floating on cotton as we were in wave (my first) and getting 3-4 knots of lift. This and what happened next were the highlights and worth all costs of the trip for me. There is a 3-4 thousand foot high ridge running N-S just to the west of Minden. We were getting high enough to see over this ridge and a spectacular lake slowly appeared to the west. My first peak at Lake Taho and what a way to see it! In less than 10 minutes we were at 11,800' msl and a strange flapping noise developed which scared the check pilot into deciding to descend and land. I would have loved to stay up there or higher for hours but we landed after a 48 minute flight which was my all time top one ever. The flapping noise was the wing root gap seal tape which had let loose. It was too close to see in flight. Maybe a good thing it let loose or we probably would still be up there and the other two guys would be ticked at me. We ended up all getting three tows and the CFII did the towing. I think we showed him enough fun that he will get his glider rating soon. Sorry this is so long but it took me lots of words to even partiallly describe my enjoyment. I really recommend this if you have not done it already.
Rick
