I fly Gliders every now and then with the Civil Air Patrol, down at Los Alamitos Army Air Field in Long Beach, CA. I must say, its a completely different type of flying compared to powered. Pulling 3-5 g's in a turn and stalling to the Zero-G point and flying with the Canopy open is a lot of fun, but because its flying at such low speeds, the controls take so much pressure I get a heck of a work-out just from one 15 minute ride
(I actually have to move my legs to yank the stick to the side).

While I do get jealous when a flight of F/A-18s land and I consider that they are flying on 20,000+ lbs. of thrust, while I am flying on...well... 0, I still do dearly enjoy Soaring and I hope to solo sometime next year.

Anyone else enjoy this sport?

This was a great thread that never caught on! I started flying gliders in college, S-222's and S-232's what a blast! I enjoyed being on tow, flying the box, pulling the release and experiencing the instant reduction of thrust. Having it get quiet and hearing the air rush over the wings - there is nothing better than stretching a 10 minute flight into 20 or 30 minutes by looking for vultures riding thermals, sneaking in on their six and riding up along with them - then making a great approach and nailing the landing on a sweet grass strip.

If you have never experienced it, you must! Take advantage of our freedoms and opportunities will you can...

I got my start with CAP restoring, then flying an old 222. Great introduction to true flying. I also got some time in Grobs and ASKs which were lots of fun. I may just have to look into soaring the great Pacific Northwest sometime soon.

cheers,
Pecker

I've done a few flights, one in a Schwiezer 232 and several in an ASK-21. The ASK is a neat bird - I come from the powered side of the house so the biggest difference to me was the quiet... very peaceful. I've only flown out in Florida and would be probably be a lot more interested in gliding if I were to get to try some ridge soaring - now that looks fun.

I did a photo flight with an ASK-21 a couple months ago. Flying in an Aeronca Chief with a glider off the wing was something I didn't even think was possible, but two very skilled pilots made it happen and man was it fun. Here are some of the results:

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