Learning to fly

In rec.aviation.soaring Larry Dighera <LDighera@att.net> wrote:
> On Sat, 7 Jul 2007 17:23:32 +0100, "GB" <NOTsomeone@microsoft.com>
> wrote in <468fbe07$0$17189$db0fefd9@news.zen.co.uk>:
>
>>40 years or so ago, I learned to fly, at least a bit. I did some solo
>>circuits in gliders. I would like to come back to flying, and I was
>>wondering about whether to learn on powered or unpowered planes?
>
> The answer to that question depends on what sort of flying you want to
> do once you have your airmans certificate, and how much you can afford
> to spend on flying. Glider instruction can be very inexpensive if you
> join a soaring club, and you will get some fundamental experience in
> aerodynamics and meteorology that powered flyers only get a smattering
> of.

I would say that if you are planning to fly purely for fun, go for
gliders. If you imagine using it for useful things (or if "fun" for you
means using the plane to go on vacation somewhere) then go for powered.
(Full disclosure, I'm a glider pilot.)

> However, you will be mostly limited to summer days, and costs
> will be about as low as possible.

I must object to this, as some of the most spectacular soaring can happen
in the dead of winter, in the form of ridge and wave soaring. I don't know
how things are in the UK, but here in Virginia even for thermal soaring
the definition of "summer" is pretty loose, and really includes a great
deal of the spring and fall.

But the general theme is still true; gliders are much more
weather-dependent. You can fly in the same weather as a VFR powered plane,
but you can't *stay up* and therefore make it really fun on a lot of those
days.

--
Michael Ash
Rogue Amoeba Software

On Sat, 07 Jul 2007 18:34:35 -0500, Michael Ash <mike@mikeash.com>
wrote in <1183851274.971300@nfs-db1.segnet.com>:

>You can fly in the same weather as a VFR powered plane,
>but you can't *stay up* and therefore make it really fun on a lot of those
>days.

Not to mention the nights. :-)

"Larry Dighera" <LDighera@att.net> wrote in message
news:rrj0939ijlb8gipghhese5fn85c335qneo@...
> On Sat, 07 Jul 2007 18:34:35 -0500, Michael Ash <mike@mikeash.com>
> wrote in <1183851274.971300@nfs-db1.segnet.com>:
>
>>You can fly in the same weather as a VFR powered plane,
>>but you can't *stay up* and therefore make it really fun on a lot of those
>>days.
>
> Not to mention the nights. :-)

Thanks to all who replied. You have helped me to make my mind up about one
thing. I am only interested in flying 'for fun', so I'll go the gliding
route. You seem to get a lot more time in the air for your money with a
glider. Now to tackle the weight issue.

On Jul 9, 5:29 am, Nyal Williams
<REMOVE_TO_REPLY.nyalwilli...@> wrote:
> I can't see the point in booking, appearing, flying,
> and leaving.

That is because you lack _empathy_, the ability to realise and
understand viewpoints different to your own. Personally I wouldn't
shout about it.


Dan

That is my personal view point and every one has his
own. If yours is different you are welcome to it and
I don't object; I won't argue about it, but I don't
mind anyone's knowing my particular prejudice about
this matter and I don't hide behind some willy-nilly
empathic stance that refuses to allow an opinion.

I wish anyone well who has a different view; is that
enough empathy?

At 14:24 09 July 2007, Dan G wrote:
>On Jul 9, 5:29 am, Nyal Williams
> wrote:
>> I can't see the point in booking, appearing, flying,
>> and leaving.
>
>That is because you lack _empathy_, the ability to
>realise and
>understand viewpoints different to your own. Personally
>I wouldn't
>shout about it.
>
>
>Dan
>
>

Dan G wrote:

> That is because you lack _empathy_, the ability to realise and
> understand viewpoints different to your own. Personally I wouldn't
> shout about it.


,

You may be just the person to finally explain how one diverges toward
something. I've always wondered. Perhaps by converging away from it?


Jack