Comments on: Resurrecting VT-NA

By: sherlock

sherlock — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 17:00:36 +0000

I learned in gliders, going from student to instructor in about 10 years. My wife, who had a private pilot license when we met, switched to gliders and said she fell in love with flying again. Just to be a good sport, I decided to take up powered flight. My wife told me the instructor (her former instructor) took her aside after my first lesson and said “Your old man flies stick and rudder better than I do! He just needs to learn about the noisemaker up front and how airports work!” Soloed on my 3rd lesson – in a taildragger, by the way (I have never flown a trike – honest). Sure I’m bragging , but it is true that if you really want to learn to fly, you start in gliders, and then add the motor.

By: Mike M.

Mike M. — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 15:20:14 +0000

Moved it, I think. The whole point was that after getting rid of the T-3s, the AF would up using civilian flight schools…and found that it was a very economical move. IIRC, they don’t touch aerobatics until they move into the T-6.

By: Taxi1

Taxi1 — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 08:13:35 +0000

Good choice on the gliders. Nothing teaches energy management like not having an engine. And those footrests? They actually are used in gliders. Best thing about gliders is that while they are easy to fly (min age to solo a glider is 14!) there is also no upper limit to the challenge to be found. Soaring is a highly competitive sport.

I’ve had a number of looong flights in gliders along the PA ridges that extend down into MD. Many hours with no motor. Too cool.

By: aeroeng

aeroeng — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 07:34:37 +0000

Yeah, he pretty much had a free pass to get off of the yard whenever he wanted.

By: sherlock

sherlock — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 19:28:40 +0000

Head’s up if you are a sailplane-lover. The holiday “Historic Aviation” catalog has what looks to be a a great book for $80 on page 61, “Sailplanes 1965-2000″.

http://www.historicaviation.com Toll-free 800.225.5575

If you don’t get one of these catalogs periodically, you are missing some goodies for the boy (or girl) pilot in all of us. No, I don’t work there.

ps. Looked on Amazon – one used copy for $231.00! Huh?

By: StupidSNA

StupidSNA — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 01:39:12 +0000

Not arranged by Academy, that’s a Navy-wide program. Some people get to do it before grad, even summer before 1/c year. Others do it after grad, and the unlucky ones do it in Pcola vice Annapolis.