You only breathe out of one nostril at a time .
Go on try it, put a finger to each one and breath.
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Monday, 30 January 2012
For those people who sometimes get it wrong, you are not alone...................
Four days later, Armstrong was involved in a second incident, when he flew for the only time with Chuck Yeager. Their job, flying a T-33 Shooting Star, was to test out Smith Ranch Dry Lake for use as an emergency landing site for the X-15. In his autobiography, Yeager wrote that he knew the lake bed was unsuitable for landings after recent rains, but Armstrong insisted on flying out anyway. As they attempted a touch-and-go, the wheels became stuck and they had to wait for rescue. Armstrong tells a different version of events, where Yeager never tried to talk him out of it and they made a first successful landing on the east side of the lake. Then Yeager told him to try again, this time a bit slower. On the second landing they became stuck and according to Armstrong, Yeager was in fits of laughter.
On May 21, 1962, Armstrong was involved in what Edwards' folklore called the "Nellis Affair". He was sent in an F-104 Starfighter to inspect Delamar Lake, again for emergency landings. He misjudged his altitude, and also did not realize that the landing gear had not fully extended. As he touched down, the landing gear began to retract. Armstrong applied full power to abort the landing, but the ventral fin and landing gear door struck the ground, which damaged the radio and released hydraulic fluid. Without radio communication, Armstrong flew to Nellis Air Force Base, past the control tower, and waggled his wings, the signal for a no-radio approach. The loss of hydraulic fluid caused the tail-hook to release, and upon landing he caught the arresting wire attached to an anchor chain, and careened along the runway dragging the chain. It took thirty minutes to clear the runway and rig an arresting cable. Armstrong telephoned Edwards and asked for someone to collect him; Milt Thompson was sent in an F-104B, the only two-seater available, but a plane Thompson had never flown. With great difficulty, Thompson made it to Nellis, but a strong crosswind caused a hard landing and the left main tire suffered a blowout. The runway was again closed to clear it, and Bill Dana was sent to Nellis in a T-33 Shooting Star, but he almost landed long — and the Nellis base operations office decided that it would be best to find the three NASA pilots ground transport back to Edwards, to avoid any further problems
Saturday, 28 January 2012
Trip to Halfpenny green
A big thanks to Malcolm Lasson who this weekend, Jan 28/29, gave BGFC members advanced Instrument Training in the simulator at Wolverhampton Halfpenny Green Airport.
Chris Morris, John Scott, Gill Stewart and Paul and Sally Turner were booked in over the two days.
The simulator used for the session is an extremely sophisticated piece of kit, apparently costing originally around 1/2million euros.
The photo shows Chris, ‘calmly’ flying the Coventry 23 ILS approach, while being closely monitored and mentored by Malcolm.
Chris commented ‘It was a superb session. Malcolm’s calm, relaxed but very precise instructional style made it not only very valuable but also a lot of fun. I’d seriously recommend this to any Bidford pilots wishing to brush up on their instrument flying’.
It might be possible to arrange further sessions in future if enough BGFC pilots express an interest.
Chris Morris, John Scott, Gill Stewart and Paul and Sally Turner were booked in over the two days.
The simulator used for the session is an extremely sophisticated piece of kit, apparently costing originally around 1/2million euros.
The photo shows Chris, ‘calmly’ flying the Coventry 23 ILS approach, while being closely monitored and mentored by Malcolm.
Chris commented ‘It was a superb session. Malcolm’s calm, relaxed but very precise instructional style made it not only very valuable but also a lot of fun. I’d seriously recommend this to any Bidford pilots wishing to brush up on their instrument flying’.
It might be possible to arrange further sessions in future if enough BGFC pilots express an interest.
Friday, 27 January 2012
Night flying at Lee on Solent in a glider!!
Yes you did read the title correctly!
I was invited down to lee by my friend, Andy Durston the CFI . Apparently the club was running an evening of night flying " in the dark" , once I realised he was telling the truth I quickly accepted the invitation.
I've never heard of this before ( except from Dave Findon but he can tell you that story ) so off I went.
personally I think they are all barking mad . See photos below .
I was invited down to lee by my friend, Andy Durston the CFI . Apparently the club was running an evening of night flying " in the dark" , once I realised he was telling the truth I quickly accepted the invitation.
I've never heard of this before ( except from Dave Findon but he can tell you that story ) so off I went.
personally I think they are all barking mad . See photos below .
Monday, 23 January 2012
Well done Mr Scott
The first is the photo is called the "Golden Frog" for the pilot who has done the best, across all groups, in a French aircraft. The second is the Swinstead Trophy for the pilot who has achieved the most points during the year for both known and unknown sequences at Intermediate level
Sunday, 22 January 2012
Bidford Regionals
Hi
Please register your entry into the comp by following the link on our website.
www.bidfordglidingandflyingclub.co.uk
Please register your entry into the comp by following the link on our website.
www.bidfordglidingandflyingclub.co.uk
Factoid of the week...........
You have more than the average number of legs (probably...)
Most people have two legs,
some have one, some have zero.
The average number is therefore slightly less than two.
So...........
If you have two legs, you have more than the average number.
Most people have two legs,
some have one, some have zero.
The average number is therefore slightly less than two.
So...........
If you have two legs, you have more than the average number.
Wednesday, 18 January 2012
Wave flying sim
Soaring in Mountain Wave is an experience that few people get to
experience and even fewer get to experience on a regular basis. We
can however relatively easily simulate much of the sensation of
flying the wave, and we don't have to travel far nor spend much
money to do so.
Here are a few ways that one can capture the sensations and thrills
of flying the wave while remaining within just a few miles of home.
First, dress warmly. *Extremely* warmly -- it's real cold at
altitudes above 30 thousand feet. Use Charlie Brown's winter outfit
as a model. If you can move without assistance, you're not wearing
enough bulk.
Recline in a moderately uncomfortable chair with no lumbar
support for at least 30 minutes. This simulates the long wait
you'll have for a tow as everybody else in the world is trying
to get up into the wave at the same time. It's perfect if you
start to sweat profusely. Drink plenty of water -- it'll come
in handy later.
Next, let's try a poor man's simulation of rotor -- one often
must tow through rotor to get to the wave, so this is an important
part of capturing the true experience. You may want to use a
friend's car or a rental for this part.
Get into the car and drive to a railroad crossing. Turn onto
the railroad tracks and drive across the ties. Vary the speed until
your suspension hits resonance thus maximizing the vertical
disturbance. If your seat belts aren't causing you pain and your
head isn't bouncing off the ceiling then you're not driving fast
enough. Remember to get off the tracks if a train comes -- you
don't particularly want to simulate inflight breakup of the glider
while not wearing a chute. (Note: wearing a chute in the car won't
help.) If you don't have railroad tracks handy, find a street with
really bad potholes and drive along as fast as possible.
It's all the better if the steering gets loose -- the lack
of control and near panic is much like trying to stay behind the
towplane in rotor. You might want to turn the heat up in the car --
this simulates how hot you'll get in your warm wave clothes at low
altitudes.
At this point you should consider driving home and starting over
(a few times) -- it's not every tow through rotor that reaches the
wave.
When you think you can't take the pounding anymore, drive 10 more
minutes, then return to the road and proceed to your local meat
packer's plant. Drink 10 cups of coffee, tea, or other mild
diuretic and proceed to the coldest deep freeze.
Set up a large floor fan so that it blows directly up the foot
end of some uncomfortable reclining chair. A cheap beach lounge will
do, but be sure to put a few wooden boards on it so that it won't
be too comfortable. You want the fan to suck as much heat out
of your feet as possible, but you also want to get a good breeze
in your face. This simulates having to keep the vents open so
that the canopy doesn't freeze over due to the moisture in your
breath.
Next, set up a UV-lamp to point right at your head. This
simulates the roasting you'll get from all those great "Bennies"
(beneficial rays of the sun) without the protective effect of
the last 30,000 feet of atmosphere to filter out the UV.
Put on an oxygen mask and insert the hose end into a hole in
a small cardboard box with another small hole in the other end of
the box. This will allow you to rebreath most of your air but
still get a small amount of fresh air, thus simulating mild
hypoxia. It's not quite the same as the real thing because of the
elevated concentration of CO2. You can make a more realistic
simulation by leaking helium balloons into the bag, but this will
cause you to sound like Mickey Mouse if you should talk. Carbon
monoxide works well too, but you'll turn a funny cherry red color
instead of that really cool hypoxic blue.
Sit perfectly still in the chair for an hour and a half,
thus simulating a climb in that totally smooth laminar lift
towards that illusive "Lennie." By now the coffee should be
getting to you and you'll have an incredible urge to urinate.
This simulates the afferent nerve reaction that you get from
having extremely cold extremities. (The deep freeze probably
isn't cold enough to do it without the extra coffee.) Don't
loosen your belt to relieve the pain -- remember, you're
supposed to be sitting in a glider with lots of straps on,
and you wouldn't be able to get at your belt while up there.
Take an aerial photograph or map of your favorite soaring area
and prop it up on the floor about 10 feet away. This will
simulate the perspective of high altitude. Also, hang a navy
blue sheet over your head. This shows you the darkness of the
sky with only that thin stratosphere above you to scatter light.
Continue sitting in the chair until your feet are so cold
that you can't feel anything from your knees on down. Then
wait an extra hour to simulate the descent from altitude. By
now you should be in sheer agony from bladder pain, but that's
all part of the fun. If you just can't hold it any longer,
just let go, but don't forget to recite that really great line
from _The Right Stuff_: "I'm really a wet-back now!"
Now have some friends carry you out to the car (so that you
don't get to stretch the muscles that are complaining about
not moving for so long) and drive home back across the railroad
ties (you've got to fly back through the rotor to get back to
the glider field.)
Fall out of the car and stand up, then scream in agony as
your stiff legs and frozen feet haven't thawed out yet. Ignore
the agony and hobble to the bushes to water them (if you still
have to). Next, go back to the car, pull off your watch, put
it on the ground, and *stomp* on it. Your barograph has failed,
all the money for the tow, glider rental, and trip to the glider
field is wasted, and now you'll have to do it all again!
Finally, go clean yourself up, meet your friends, and lie to
them over numerous beers about how wonderful and joyous was the
entire experience, and invite them along for your next trip.
Remember, misery loves company.
NONE OF THESE ACTIVITIES IS WAVE FLYING,
BUT ALL OF THEM SURE FEEL LIKE IT !!
experience and even fewer get to experience on a regular basis. We
can however relatively easily simulate much of the sensation of
flying the wave, and we don't have to travel far nor spend much
money to do so.
Here are a few ways that one can capture the sensations and thrills
of flying the wave while remaining within just a few miles of home.
First, dress warmly. *Extremely* warmly -- it's real cold at
altitudes above 30 thousand feet. Use Charlie Brown's winter outfit
as a model. If you can move without assistance, you're not wearing
enough bulk.
Recline in a moderately uncomfortable chair with no lumbar
support for at least 30 minutes. This simulates the long wait
you'll have for a tow as everybody else in the world is trying
to get up into the wave at the same time. It's perfect if you
start to sweat profusely. Drink plenty of water -- it'll come
in handy later.
Next, let's try a poor man's simulation of rotor -- one often
must tow through rotor to get to the wave, so this is an important
part of capturing the true experience. You may want to use a
friend's car or a rental for this part.
Get into the car and drive to a railroad crossing. Turn onto
the railroad tracks and drive across the ties. Vary the speed until
your suspension hits resonance thus maximizing the vertical
disturbance. If your seat belts aren't causing you pain and your
head isn't bouncing off the ceiling then you're not driving fast
enough. Remember to get off the tracks if a train comes -- you
don't particularly want to simulate inflight breakup of the glider
while not wearing a chute. (Note: wearing a chute in the car won't
help.) If you don't have railroad tracks handy, find a street with
really bad potholes and drive along as fast as possible.
It's all the better if the steering gets loose -- the lack
of control and near panic is much like trying to stay behind the
towplane in rotor. You might want to turn the heat up in the car --
this simulates how hot you'll get in your warm wave clothes at low
altitudes.
At this point you should consider driving home and starting over
(a few times) -- it's not every tow through rotor that reaches the
wave.
When you think you can't take the pounding anymore, drive 10 more
minutes, then return to the road and proceed to your local meat
packer's plant. Drink 10 cups of coffee, tea, or other mild
diuretic and proceed to the coldest deep freeze.
Set up a large floor fan so that it blows directly up the foot
end of some uncomfortable reclining chair. A cheap beach lounge will
do, but be sure to put a few wooden boards on it so that it won't
be too comfortable. You want the fan to suck as much heat out
of your feet as possible, but you also want to get a good breeze
in your face. This simulates having to keep the vents open so
that the canopy doesn't freeze over due to the moisture in your
breath.
Next, set up a UV-lamp to point right at your head. This
simulates the roasting you'll get from all those great "Bennies"
(beneficial rays of the sun) without the protective effect of
the last 30,000 feet of atmosphere to filter out the UV.
Put on an oxygen mask and insert the hose end into a hole in
a small cardboard box with another small hole in the other end of
the box. This will allow you to rebreath most of your air but
still get a small amount of fresh air, thus simulating mild
hypoxia. It's not quite the same as the real thing because of the
elevated concentration of CO2. You can make a more realistic
simulation by leaking helium balloons into the bag, but this will
cause you to sound like Mickey Mouse if you should talk. Carbon
monoxide works well too, but you'll turn a funny cherry red color
instead of that really cool hypoxic blue.
Sit perfectly still in the chair for an hour and a half,
thus simulating a climb in that totally smooth laminar lift
towards that illusive "Lennie." By now the coffee should be
getting to you and you'll have an incredible urge to urinate.
This simulates the afferent nerve reaction that you get from
having extremely cold extremities. (The deep freeze probably
isn't cold enough to do it without the extra coffee.) Don't
loosen your belt to relieve the pain -- remember, you're
supposed to be sitting in a glider with lots of straps on,
and you wouldn't be able to get at your belt while up there.
Take an aerial photograph or map of your favorite soaring area
and prop it up on the floor about 10 feet away. This will
simulate the perspective of high altitude. Also, hang a navy
blue sheet over your head. This shows you the darkness of the
sky with only that thin stratosphere above you to scatter light.
Continue sitting in the chair until your feet are so cold
that you can't feel anything from your knees on down. Then
wait an extra hour to simulate the descent from altitude. By
now you should be in sheer agony from bladder pain, but that's
all part of the fun. If you just can't hold it any longer,
just let go, but don't forget to recite that really great line
from _The Right Stuff_: "I'm really a wet-back now!"
Now have some friends carry you out to the car (so that you
don't get to stretch the muscles that are complaining about
not moving for so long) and drive home back across the railroad
ties (you've got to fly back through the rotor to get back to
the glider field.)
Fall out of the car and stand up, then scream in agony as
your stiff legs and frozen feet haven't thawed out yet. Ignore
the agony and hobble to the bushes to water them (if you still
have to). Next, go back to the car, pull off your watch, put
it on the ground, and *stomp* on it. Your barograph has failed,
all the money for the tow, glider rental, and trip to the glider
field is wasted, and now you'll have to do it all again!
Finally, go clean yourself up, meet your friends, and lie to
them over numerous beers about how wonderful and joyous was the
entire experience, and invite them along for your next trip.
Remember, misery loves company.
NONE OF THESE ACTIVITIES IS WAVE FLYING,
BUT ALL OF THEM SURE FEEL LIKE IT !!
Tuesday, 17 January 2012
Factoid of the week
Cows Tend to Face North-South
Google Earth images reveal that cattle around the world tend to align themselves with Earth's magnetic field.
Monday, 16 January 2012
Sunday, 15 January 2012
Last weekend
What a great weekend .
7 flights each day. Beautiful blue sky, dotted with bits of lift .It was great to see so many people blowing the winter cobwebs off!!
Thanks to Dave for flying the tiger and Kieth & Frank for taking the time to instruct.
It was also brilliant to see Mr Scott doing his aerial ballet again, although I'm not quite sure his passengers had the same feeling. I did hear something about John needing to work out a code word so that his passengers could interpret the true meaning behind his expletives!
"A great photo of a 110 year old combination , not including the pilots"
7 flights each day. Beautiful blue sky, dotted with bits of lift .It was great to see so many people blowing the winter cobwebs off!!
Thanks to Dave for flying the tiger and Kieth & Frank for taking the time to instruct.
It was also brilliant to see Mr Scott doing his aerial ballet again, although I'm not quite sure his passengers had the same feeling. I did hear something about John needing to work out a code word so that his passengers could interpret the true meaning behind his expletives!
"A great photo of a 110 year old combination , not including the pilots"
Saturday, 14 January 2012
Friday, 13 January 2012
14-15th January
Hello Everyone,
Although the Pawnee is off-line for maintenance, the Tiger Moth will be available for towing from 1300 Saturday and all day Sunday. Club gliders available will be the K13 and Ka8.
H2Ofall
Although the Pawnee is off-line for maintenance, the Tiger Moth will be available for towing from 1300 Saturday and all day Sunday. Club gliders available will be the K13 and Ka8.
H2Ofall
Wednesday, 11 January 2012
Bidford Regionals
BGFC's first rated regional competition has officially opened its doors to entrants. Please see http://www.bidfordglidingandflyingclub.co.uk/ for further details.
Monday, 9 January 2012
Comments and feedback
Hi All
I've now added a new feature which gives everyone the abiity to reply or comment on any blog posting.
To do this follow the instructions below and the club will automatically be sent your response via e-mail.
H20fall
I've now added a new feature which gives everyone the abiity to reply or comment on any blog posting.
To do this follow the instructions below and the club will automatically be sent your response via e-mail.
- click comments.
- type your comment in the comment box.
- type in the word verification ( this stops spam)
- highlight Name/URL in the "choose identity section". type in your name leaving the URL box blank.
- click publish your comment.
H20fall
Sim training
Hi
Malcolm has kindly agreed to organise some sim time for instrument or refresher training. We would like to organise this for the last weekend in January. Price will be around £120.00 per person, for up to 1 1/2 hours.
If your interested please use the comment tab below which will automatically notify us. When it asks for your comment ID use the name/URL tab and just add your name.
regards
Malcolm has kindly agreed to organise some sim time for instrument or refresher training. We would like to organise this for the last weekend in January. Price will be around £120.00 per person, for up to 1 1/2 hours.
If your interested please use the comment tab below which will automatically notify us. When it asks for your comment ID use the name/URL tab and just add your name.
regards
Sunday, 8 January 2012
Dinner and dance 2012
Hi all
Plans for our first annual awards dinner are firming up.
The annual awards dinner gives all our members the opportunbity to get togeather at a venue outside the club and celerate our achievements during the past year. Traditionaly its an oppoirtunity to dress up, so black tie's and party frocks are encouraged. Yes the cost is slightly more than most events we hold but it's a once a year opportunity to dress up and let your hair down with your partner in the company of friends so we think it's worth it.
This years it will be on Saturday 25th February. The cost will be about £30 for a three course meal, Im also hoping to have a guest speaker for the evening but will keep you posted once I've found one!
If your interested please use the comment tab below which will automatically notify us. When it asks for your comment ID use the name/URL tab and just add your name.
SW
Plans for our first annual awards dinner are firming up.
The annual awards dinner gives all our members the opportunbity to get togeather at a venue outside the club and celerate our achievements during the past year. Traditionaly its an oppoirtunity to dress up, so black tie's and party frocks are encouraged. Yes the cost is slightly more than most events we hold but it's a once a year opportunity to dress up and let your hair down with your partner in the company of friends so we think it's worth it.
This years it will be on Saturday 25th February. The cost will be about £30 for a three course meal, Im also hoping to have a guest speaker for the evening but will keep you posted once I've found one!
If your interested please use the comment tab below which will automatically notify us. When it asks for your comment ID use the name/URL tab and just add your name.
SW
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