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A brief report on the fatal accident last week:
"The fatal accident at Caboolture was in a homebuilt power sailplane ( pop up Rotax ) registered as an ultralight. I did some training with the pilot at GYM about six years ago. He was a current ultra light pilot trying to convert to gliders. We did about four sessions and I recall that there was some difficulty getting him used to flying a circuit without constant reference to the altimeter. I don't recall if we did spinning but he was not at solo when he stopped his glider training.
The accident. RWY 12 in use. Wind light easterly. Glider was seen to approach , engine retracted, from the S/W at 500ft joining crosswind for left circuit RWY 12.
The glider crossed the runway midfield about 400ft and proceeded downwind. As the aircraft turned base at about 300ft it spun.
So much airfield available. Why kill yourself to reach one particular corner of it.
The pilot would not have been spin checked as part of an RAA BFR. Had he ever done a spin? Please make use of this information as you see fit. " Mike Truitt (RTO Qld).
I have heard that RAA are not going to register motor gliders anymore??
Jeremy Thompson | 