There is something very special about paper planes when it comes to glider pilots. I've seen it several times and it is one of my treasured memories from being on the gliding scene. We know how competitive we are of course. We wouldn't fly in competitions otherwise. Well, it seems paper planes bring out the best (or worst in us).
Once, at the official dinner at our Australian nationals, someone threw a paper plane. Unfortunately for the owners of the restaurant, they had given all pilots a piece of paper for the menu. Well, it only took a few minutes.Everyone thought they could make a better plane and suddenly there were 200 pieces of paper flying round the room. It was like a riot and of course I took advantage of my school days and constructed my best. Again, I saw the same phenomenon in New Zealand during the worlds. Someone flew the first plane and it was on for young and old. On this occasion we all had a song sheet for a sing-a-long evening, so these pages were flying round the room in no time. It's just the best fun.
I wasn't disappointed here in Räyskälä. You have to all admit, it was the only occasion so far in Lift and Sink where all the pilots were out in full force. We have to meet the challenge,call to duty and all that. Top Fun!! By the way, I apologise to the constructor of a fine model, which Ollie the dog caught in mid-air. C'est la vie.
Overheard at Lift and Sink after Tuesday's task.
Competition director to competition pilot: "How was the day today?."
Competition pilot: "It was OK" (typically non-committal)
Competition director: "How was the weather?"
Competition pilot: "There was really good lift to the north and west of the contest area but to the east it was more difficult. The good lift was there but it was harder to find." (more constructive comment)
Competition director (really probing): "Do you think the task was too short for the day?"
Competition pilot: "No." (end of conversation)
The Competition director took a deep breath, smiled a big smile, stood three inches taller and strode off. Satisfied.
I am sure many lookers-on are wondering: What makes the difference? Even glider pilots don't know but with the invention of GNSS and the Loggers, we can now analyse and understand.
On the 5th of June, my team mate Flemming Schneider, SU, had a fine start, rounding the first turn point averaging about 130 km/h with a good tailwind. Shortly after, I was separated from him following Stepanek Jiri, CE. I thought we were doing badly but from the logger I learned, that 25km later I was just behind Flemming. Stepanek had worked the thermals better than me and had disappeared.
I followed a cloud street for a while, leaving its south side on track and heading out in the sun. The first thermal was OK but the remaining 30km in strong headwind was a drag.
The GNSS shows that Flemming had kept to the north side of the cloud street, had seen it continue, albeit weakly up to the north east of the turning point and flew efficiently home for the day win, some 50 minutes ahead of me. So what makes the difference? Flemming's talent for reading/seeing the weather gave him the much deserved 1000 points.
You better watch out in the future for this very competent, young competition pilot.
Pilots invent and trial all sorts of devices for relieving themselves during flight and there are many funny stories about their use. You know, drinking from the wrong bottles and rusting the undercarriage from the external outlet. The grapevine tells us, that one pilot here tested such a new device during the week. Despite it being the warmest sunny day of the comps so far, the cold at altitude necessitated he use the device seven times during the flight. The devise was mounted in the sun during flight and the story is, he has seven little burn marks on a certain piece of his anatomy. The cold must have also affected, or excuse the pun, stunted his learning curve as well.
SZD-56 'Diana' photo by Janet
One of the designers, of the Diana, Bogumil Beres tells us SZD is completing construction of a new version of the 15m class Diana. The main modifications are concerning the cockpit. The painting and finish are in the final stages and the first flight test is planned for March. The external shape of the glider body remains basically unchanged, however the cockpit has been changed significantly.
Changes in reference to the previous model are as follows: Front-hinged, upwards opening canopy extending forward to the fuselage nose. In-flight adjustable pedals, with completely new rudder control system without cables. Instrument panel installed in cockpit floor, with small size (60mm) instruments. Pilot back rest allowing for position and angle adjustments within large range of settings, as well as for desired head rest position. Efficient cockpit venting with air-flow intensity and direction adjustments capability. Flap-aileron over the whole wing span. Detachable wing-tips, prepared for intended - in the future - winglets installation. New system of filling the wing water ballast tanks.
The Author, Giorgio Zanrosso studied in aeronautical school as a technician and spent his working life in the Italian Airforce. Retiring a few years ago he began researching aviation history. His first writings studied engines on Zeppelins, after gaining access to a lot of early material from 1910 when he met the son of a constructor of Zeppelins.
After this was written, Zanrosso thought, why not gliders? He decided to include English in the volume as the Italian market would be too small. Smilian tells us that the author had an incredible imagination for locating important documents and asked absolutely every source in Italy for information.
The book begins with mankind's early dreams and aspirations to fly and includes designs of Leonardo da Vinci. This is the first of four volumes and magnificently details works of some 21 designers including Cayley from 1804, Wright, Lillienthall up to designs of 1914. The next volume shall be ready in three months and the final volume available in one year will include the latest designs from our current manufacturers.
Giorgio Zanrosso lives 100 metres from Smilian and they are members of the same club but he has never been a pilot. Smilian has helped and advised him with the work and written the Foreword in the publication. Zanrosso perhaps hasn't planned to make a great deal of money from the his work but it has been a great pleasure for him to produce it. Smilian describes `The History and Evolution of the Glider' as a most meritorious work which deserves great success. If people are interested to know more or review the book they may see Smilian or there are some order forms available in the Press Office.
Briefing this morning.
The Metman, Tapio Tourula.
Yesterday's Windsock and flags. Note the automatic weather station in the middle
of the picture.
European Gliding Championships 1996 on gei.geichhorn.com
Dr. Günther Eichhorn Travel Website
Soaring website