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HANG-GLIDING
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1997. Myself and a friend, Steve Butler learn to fly hang-gliders with "LEJAIR", a tow school run by Tony and Rona Webb at East Derham in Norfolk. The advantage of winch towing is that it is carried out on a flat field and after the flight, the glider is pushed back on its wheels to the launch point. Also if the wind direction changes the winch can be relocated in matter of minutes. When learning on the hill, the glider has to be carried back up after each flight and if the wind shifts the whole caboodle has to relocate to another site. On launching, the winchman takes up the slack and on the order "all out" the winchman begins the tow. As tension comes onto the line, the pilot runs forward until the glider begins to lift and as the speed increases, both the glider and pilot lift into the air. The first flights start at around six feet above the ground with the winchman controlling the flight by varying the pull on the line. As the students confidence and ability increases so does the height and the tasks set, culminating in tows up to 1000ft before releasing, circuiting the airfield and landing, usually on a a designated spot Tow launching is by far the quickest, easiest and most consistent method of learning this sport |
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Steve
is given a hang
check prior to proceeding with the launch |
Tony
gives Steve preflight instructions as slack is
taken up on the tow line |
The
the winchman begins
the tow and the glider picks up speed |
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As can be seen from
the photo's, Steves launches and landings had to be carried out in the
prone position due to having suffered the loss of his left leg and part
of his hip in a serious motor cycle accident some years ago. Using the
towing method, Lejair were able
to accommodate his disability and Steve obtained his Club Pilots licence
in a very short time.
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Up
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And
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Away
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Still on the line
and gaining height
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Towline released
and free flying
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Slight turn to the
right before landing
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Although
I achieved my Elementary Pilots licence, due to poor weather conditions
setting in at the end of the year, I was unable to qualify for the Club
Pilots licence and the following year got side tracked into restoring
Hula Kai. I hope to resume
training sometime in the future but with so much going on, I will probably
put it on hold till I retire.
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