RIAT 2014 part 3

Here is the next lot of photos I took at RIAT 2014.

RIAT 2014 part 2

Here is the next lot of photos I took at RIAT last weekend.

RIAT 2014 part 1

Last weekend I went to the Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford and took nearly 3,000 photos during the course of the day.  Eventually I narrowed this down to less than 100 good photos that I am slowly editing.  Here is my first batch of edited photos from RIAT 2014.  Hope you enjoy.

Winch launch

Here are some photos I took at a busy day at the gliding club in March.

Arcus on the flare

Prefect vintage glider hill soaring

K21 on approach

K21 coming over the field

Charlie Charlie tug

The Prefect is aerotowed

Rising over the evening mist

How many pilots does it take to move a glider?

 

I also flew a winch launch which is a fast and steep launch which accelerates from 0-60mph in just a few seconds!

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First single seater K23 flight

As usual it was a cloudy day at the London Gliding Club but it was still flyable, just.  After a check flight I was cleared to have my first flight in a single seater glider, the K23.

One of our tugs coming into land

The single seater I was about to fly

 

Here is my video of the flight, including a slightly scary landing at the same time as a motor glider!

Pilatus B-4 aerobatic glider flight

Last Saturday another cadet at the gliding club, Tom, had his first flight in a Pilatus Aerobatic glider.

Here are some photos of his flight

 

And the video

Sunny winter gliding

It was one of those rare British winter days when the sun actually decided to appear and give us all a break from the seemingly relentless rain and clouds.  As to be expected, with the rare nice weather the gliding club was soon teeming with excited pilots hoping to fly.  Unfortunately, this meant that I was unable to fly all day and, having recently gone solo and keen to fly again, was a little disappointed.  On the good side, it freed me up to take some photos and videos around the club, the best of which I have posted below.

Even though I didn’t fly myself, I did place my GoPro inside a Pilatus aerobatic glider which another cadet at the club, Tom, went for a flight in.  This video will be up on Tuesday, so make sure you click here so you don’t miss it!

Anyway, enjoy the photos.

FYF is prepared for flying

FYF takes to the skies

A glider lands on the East Run with a lovely evening background

The windsock hangs limp after a busy days flying

A K21 is towed in the sunset

My favourite photo of the day, a K21 lands on the East Run at sunset

Flight in an ASH25 EB28 glider

Last week I had a flight in a glider with one of the largest wingspans in the world, at 91 feet from wingtip to wingtip.  It has a retractable engine allowing for self launching and reaching high altitudes.  I had a great flight and was lucky to get the opportunity.

The sun setting over the wing

My view from the cockpit

Flying next to the clouds

Here is my video of the flight

First solo glider flight!

After only 27 flights at the London Gliding Club I first went solo last Sunday.  I had a nice flight of ten minutes, busy enjoying the experience of being by myself!

Just before takeoff

Just after landing

Coming in to land

Here is my video of the flight

 

2013 gliding highlights compilation video

I have collected all 18 hours of footage taken throughout 2013 and found the best parts and arranged them in this video.  Hopefully it shows off the best of gliding and how fun it can be.  Enjoy.