Airline Pilot - First Glider Solo | PlaneOldBen

Ah, the established power pilot’s approach- too low. OK in the early morning conditions but not once thermals and sink are active.

You'll be able to do dead stick landing any time soon 😂😅😮

Some people know how to live right.

Already being an aviator, what's the one thing that surprised you flying a glider?

Congrats! Nice hold-off, skilfully done; it is very obvious that the pilot is not a novice.

Good stuff, that is the only video I have seen where the views include from the tug back towards the glider. Excellent.

Lovely to watch. On my first solo I did not miss my instructor at all because he was a man who never spoke unless really necessary so towards the end I was used to flying circuits without hearing him at all. What I did notice was that where I was usually happy to get 1200ft off a winch launch, I got 1600ft because he was a big man. I had to do a lot of noodling around before turning downwind.
I am so old that the last time I flew from Lasham was about 1975 :-) I was about 14 having my first glider experience.

My first solo was in an aluminium Blanik, not the best l/d ratio. Kicked myself as I got bored and ended up landing after 56 minutes, just missing my one hour solo flight. I had no radio and the ground crew couldn't give me the heads up.

Licenses for both Fixed Wing & Rotary, not a chance would I hop into a Glider, well done.

Great video Ben. I have enjoyed the series. Must try to get in a glider at some point.

When you are looking for somewhere to land in a glider, always think “where’s my car parked?” Then put your flight bag into your boot and say to yourself, “well… I got away with it!”

Hi Ben , I’m thinking of getting into gliding after taking a trial flight ,can I ask which approach you took before going solo , did you go for a 5 day course or did you join the club first and then take lessons , I’m getting different answers from my local club which is in Leicestershire, any advice on your journey is appreciated,
Cheers scott.

Well done Ben. It has been a good series. Long time since I did any gliding and then it was in an old open cockpit Kirby glider .

Congrats

Great job... Base leg looked a bit far out with very little airbrake needed, but plenty of time to improve that. The many hours in the air in other types of planes certainly made for some really smooth flying.... well done

I just had my first gliding experience last weekend, 2 winch launches! 😯😯😎. I love the old tech HUD - with red wool you needn't worry about battery failure 😅

Pilots always look so happy when they're doing what they do best... I was with you all the way.

Lovely job Ben. I can see the appeal of the quiet peaceful nature of it but the ‘I can’t go around’ focusses the attention I bet!

Congrats Ben on your solo, I too just passed my ppl skills test

Nice Landing!

Still remember my solo in 1997!, well done Ben

Great video Ben! Would love to do some glider flying soon after looking at your experiences

Very nicely done Ben!

Nice one Ben!

New to the channel and thoroughly enjoyed this series of videos. Many thanks

I feel like the tow-plane is the scariest part, but once you're up to altitude, then, it's a delight! I enjoy this glider series you're doing. Thanks!

Hello Ben Iam neil Gusthart I have 50hrs In A 2 Seat Glider

Congratulations Ben! Will there be more videos like this please?👍😊

Congrats Ben, welcome to the club!. Are you planning to document a conversion to Winch launching and soaring?. I think it would be a fantastic opportunity to link the gliding community with powered pilots as a way of highlighting the risks of overflying a winch site (it happens too often!) and the need for lookout and conspicuity, especially near cloud base. Also, winching is much more of a thrill than an aerotow so would definately recommend it!

Congratulations Ben! Well done indeed! Nothing quite like a first solo is there :D

Congrats, really enjoyed this series

Well done Ben,Helo,s next?

Lovely stuff! I started my flying gliding at Edgehill. Nothing like it. Thanks.

Well done ben!

Another great video in this series mate! Looked a great day for your first solo

Was literally just thinking about when the next episode of this would come earlier

Sickkk