Learning to fly a plane
Jan 23rd 2011, 6:43 pm
#16
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Location: Hillarys, Perth
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Re: Learning to fly a plane
And it doesn't take skill to fly in a powered aircraft? Sure you need to look out for thermals and granted there is only one chance of landing but there is so much more going on in a powered aircraft. There are the engine(s) and systems that need to be constantly monitored not to mention they have higher speeds. If there is an engine failure the aircraft quickly turns into a glider in which case there is also only one chance of landing with no going around.
Aerobatics is better in a powered aircraft. You can do navigational exercises in a powered aircraft. Try flying 500nm cross country in a glider, hopping from thermal to thermal... Try flying your mates away to a remote destination for the weekend in a glider...
Also you are not at the mercy of the weather as much as a glider. Glider pilots are fair weather pilots and need a powered aircraft just to get them in the air.
Aerobatics is better in a powered aircraft. You can do navigational exercises in a powered aircraft. Try flying 500nm cross country in a glider, hopping from thermal to thermal... Try flying your mates away to a remote destination for the weekend in a glider...
Also you are not at the mercy of the weather as much as a glider. Glider pilots are fair weather pilots and need a powered aircraft just to get them in the air.
Jan 23rd 2011, 6:49 pm
#17
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Re: Learning to fly a plane
Each to their own. I've always preferred to have the engine there, makes me feel more secure in some way, but I also know guys who fly powered aircraft for a living and for fun, who say they will always love gliding the most.
Jan 23rd 2011, 7:06 pm
#18
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Re: Learning to fly a plane
Each to their own. I prefer aerobatics in a Pitts. A glider doesn't even come close.
Jan 23rd 2011, 7:15 pm
#19
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Re: Learning to fly a plane
Same here. Gliding tends to appeal to the purists. A few of the guys I did my CPL training with got into gliding as they believed it would make them a better pilot.
Jan 24th 2011, 12:03 am
#20
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Re: Learning to fly a plane
Yeah thats what some of the guys I knew said - taught them more all round skills when they were heding for the commercial world. Me, I was happy just to do it for fun, and the gliding idea never really appealed.
Jan 24th 2011, 10:21 am
#21
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Re: Learning to fly a plane
I'm not averse to gliding and I wouldn't mind giving it a go but I've always thought of it as a bit tame. A bit like riding a bicycle versus a motorcycle.
Jan 24th 2011, 3:30 pm
#22
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Re: Learning to fly a plane
Do give it a "go" - you are much more attuned to the weather than in a powered aircraft. Every time I look up on a thermally sky here I feel like trying it again.
Jan 24th 2011, 5:33 pm
#23
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Re: Learning to fly a plane
Jan 24th 2011, 5:39 pm
#24
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Re: Learning to fly a plane
Yes, fully aware that you need to be attuned to the weather as far as spotting thermals etc. Doesn't mean that a pilot of a powered aircraft doesn't need to be attuned to the weather either.
Jan 24th 2011, 5:53 pm
#25
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Re: Learning to fly a plane
Thanks for all the replies. I think I'll stick to the plane though as there probably aren't many job opportunities with Jetstar for glider flights between Sydney and Melbourne!! 
Jan 24th 2011, 6:09 pm
#26
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Re: Learning to fly a plane
There's not many job opportunities for powered aircraft pilots with Jetstar in Australia either. They've all been shipped to Singapore to avoid Aussie salaries.
