Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
In tonight's movie, the 60s spy spoof Some Girls Do, there is a scene sequence with a sailplane, from tow take off to climax......
.......and it got me thinking to all I learned of sailplanes around that time. From, maybe, The Funny Company to some short where the pilot landed, went to a farm house to get his log book signed, then the farmer gave him a tow for take off*, to perhaps other representations in the media.
Saw some in the media in the 70s with Nancy Drew and The Six Million Dollar Man and I guess the last one I saw in the media, aside from the trailer of Shades of Gray, was the 80s with Escape from New York.
Was there a push to have them in the media in that time period and if so, what was doing it?
*I got my single engine pilot licence in the Carter Administration. In my cross country solo, I landed at an airport and there was no one there. Remembering the lesson from the short, I walked out to a farm house and got my log book signed......but he didn't have to help me take off.
I saw a big interest in gliding when I was living in Germany, and I think they also are the biggest manufacturer of those planes. They have many sport clubs and competitions too.
Look at the Flightradar24 and see how many of them are in Europe.
For some reason they aren't popular in the US. Low profit? No technology and interest? No demand?
People more interested in making money that wasting time on a hobby?
For some reason they aren't popular in the US. Low profit? No technology and interest? No demand?
People more interested in making money that wasting time on a hobby?
There are a few gliding clubs around the USA. LISA in Long Island, NY is still pretty active.
The HQ of the American Soaring Club is in Hobbs, NM. So I assume there must be an active soaring/gliding community there.
Also for anyone wanting to obtain an airplane license, soaring/gliding is a good first step as it is good training and cheaper than an airplane (with a motor/engine).
Location: We_tside PNW (Columbia Gorge) / CO / SA TX / Thailand
34,705 posts, read 58,042,598 times
Reputation: 46172
Quote:
Originally Posted by elnina
...see how many of them are in Europe.
For some reason they aren't popular in the US. Low profit? No technology and interest? No demand?
...
Far lower 'barrier of entry' to Glider vs powered Light Aircraft. Especially in Europe (more restrictive airspace / security qualifications, higher population density (less open space), higher costs, especially fuel). + Sailplanes are a lot more GREEN. (and silent!).
We have a few local glider clubs. (PNW)
Neigbor commercial pilot uses his ultralight nearly everyday during summer.
I saw a big interest in gliding when I was living in Germany, and I think they also are the biggest manufacturer of those planes. They have many sport clubs and competitions too.
Look at the Flightradar24 and see how many of them are in Europe.
For some reason they aren't popular in the US. Low profit? No technology and interest? No demand?
People more interested in making money that wasting time on a hobby?
I believe it is a tradition in Germany because powered planes were banned after WWI, by a treaty. What they did instead, is gained skills in gliders and used that in WWII. Thus, it is much more popular in Europe.
However, someone in the gliding community once told me that the overall climate in many areas of Europe is more conducive for non-powered flight. They have more of all sorts of those small contraptions over there. Here, stateside, huge mountain ranges (The Rockies, Sierra) are probably too formidable, except in certain places. I believe there's some acrobatic soaring in AZ. I've taken a gliding trip/lesson once and it was the best flying experience one could imagine. Quiet, total visibility all around and just overall amazing. I can only imagine how good it is in some nice scenery.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
