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By Tony Burton
Neil Armstrong, the first man to step on the moon
was one. So was Air Canada Captain Robert Pearson, who used his skills as one to
save his fuel-starved Boeing 767 jet with a safe, engine-out landing in 1983.
What thousands of others around the world have in common is their love of
motorless flight, or soaring. A sport which combines the thrill of flying, with
the challenge of piloting an aircraft with nothing other that the forces of
nature to remain aloft. A sport which, when all forces harmoniously merge, can
produce flights of over 2000 kilometres and durations in excess of 10 hours.
Altitudes once reserved for jetliners are routinely equaled by gliders flying in
mountain lee wave.
For pilots of all types of aircraft, the unique thrill of soaring is to use the
ever-changing forces of nature as the engine of flight. It really is an
ever-changing challenge. If you are looking for this challenge; if as power
pilots you are finding rental aircraft more and more pricey; or if your air time
is beginning to feel too much like mere "airplane driving", then why not get on
your e-mail or reach for the phone and inquire at the nearest gliding club near
you. You will be sure to find them very welcoming, the members friendly, and the
sport of gliding a lifetime affair that will always present something new, every
time you go up. If nothing else, a season of soaring will add measurably to your
suite of air skills and could be of considerable help - as Capt. Pearson
discovered.
Climb rates in a glider can range from 100 ft/min on weak days to over a 1000 in
strong convective activity. Flying from one area of convective activity to the
next, cross-country flights are possible from short tasks of a few kilometres
near the local airport, to flights that will take the pilot further afield on
"badge" tasks of 500 kilometres for example. Flights of greater distances are
possible, usually near long-running mountain ridges, such as one finds at
Invermere, BC. Recently a pilot from Ontario became the 11th Canadian to achieve
a flight in excess of 1000 kilometres.
The sport of gliding is represented by the Soaring Association of Canada (SAC)
in Canada, and gliding clubs conduct training near most major centres in most
provinces. Typically a student enrolled in a training program will take a ground
school course, usually during the winter months, with the practical training
starting in the spring. Upwards of 50 flights with a Transport Canada approved
glider instructor will teach the basics. Once all maneuvers are being flown
competently, the student will be signed off for his/her first solo flight,
complete with the post-solo traditions of a shirt-tail cutting or the
presentation of a wildflower bouquet. First solo may be flown as young as 14,
however a licence cannot be granted until the applicant has reached his/her 16th
birthday. Licensing takes place after twenty solo flights have been flown, a
flight test successfully passed, and the Transport Canada glider pilot exam has
been written.
Clubs in Canada are organized and operated by their volunteer members. From the
president to the airfield chairman to the flight Instructors - all give
willingly to maintain the club's infrastructure on a very reasonably priced
basis. A typical club (though all vary) may charge members around $500 for a
full season of flying plus a flat season rate on glider rentals. The instruction
is free. Each tow to 2000 feet above ground, provided by the club towplane will
cost a member about $20. From this height a pilot can connect into a thermal, a
rising column of hot air, and continue soaring during the day. People usually
find that the sport is more demanding of one's time than one's pocketbook.
More Information on SAC and clubs is available on the national Web site
www.sac.ca.
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