Hi all,
I suspect that two factors were significant in the early days of the BGA
which were not so relevant in Australia. First, the number of days with
cumulus cloud and relatively low cloudbases, and secondly a number of
ex-air force pilots with IFR skills being involved in the formation of
the gliding movement.
The countries that permitted (and still permit) cloud flying seem to be
limited to northern Europe and so it is likely that weather conditions
play a big part in swinging the decision.
Cloud flying was banned in world competition after the 1972 World Comps
(a collision and fatality in cloud) and as far as I know this ban is
universal in competitions now, even in countries that allow cloud flying
in other circumstances.
I think that during the 1970's several gliders were built with VNE
limiting brakes (Club Libelle, Hornet, Mosquito, Cobra, Pik20, Nimbus
2C) but earlier designs such as Libelle, Cirrus, Kestrel were not
(though some had tail chutes) and after the 1980's I think very few if
any were speed limited.
I don't have blind flying instruments in my glider and would not use
them, even if I did. It's hard enough to thermal when I can see.
Cheers
/Tim/
/tra dire e fare c'รจ mezzo il mare/
On 14/06/2011 11:21, gstev...@bigpond.com wrote:
Hi All,
I would very much like to know the process/history on how 'cloud
flying" came to be banned for gliders (in Australia), and when. I am
somewhat surprised that as an ex "British Colony" - read we used to do
what the Brits did even long after Federation - and cloud flying in
gliders is, and has been for many years, permitted in the UK why we in
Australia went down a different path.
How many pilots on this list have Bohli and similar compasses fitted
to their glider and feel they are competent to use them as a "blind
flying" aid?
What are the experiences of members, who when flying wave, had the
Fohn Gap close under them. There must be many a tale to be told here?
Regards,
Gary
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