My First Solo Glider Flight

The day after Thanksgiving had been suggested by the Club as a good opportunity for some autumn glider rides for the Members, including some auto tows. The opiate-like temptation to join the anti-gravity exercises was irresistible. I succumbed and attended.

I had hoped for a couple dual instruction rides with Brian Bird or Tony Condon. They both were at the Gliderport rarin’ to fly. Looked like fun, and, before I knew it, they offered me a couple rides in the 2-22, which I had never flown.

It had been several weeks since I had been in a glider, and it was evident on-tow. I was glad Brian was in the seat behind me saving both our lives. He finally persuaded me to carefully follow the towplane. There was no lift, but we reviewed emergency procedures, steep turns at constant airspeed, and slips to landing. I didn’t break anything, and it sure was fun.

We went up for a third flight, and, not far past the north end of the runway, the tow rope broke or came unhitched. I was pretty sure I had somehow botched the tow rope hitch check and broken something. We had enough altitude, so, with little further ado, I managed a 180 turn to starboard and we landed to the south. Brian climbed out with his usual agility, and I was trying also to get out of the glider to figure out what caused the rope-break. Before I was out, Brian confessed he had, from his invisible rear seat, pulled his release to simulate a rope-break, apparently to see how I would react. Tony later told me just about everyone at the Gliderport but me knew of the planned surprise simulated rope-break.

I don’t think I got all the way out of the glider before Brian suggested I stay in it, and then asked me if I wanted to take it up by myself. That really surprised me. I didn’t think I was ready to solo. Brian did, and so I strapped myself back in, and managed to fly that thing up to 2000 feet behind the towplane and back down and land it, without breaking anything, by myself. I haven’t felt that good in a long time.

That feeling is a testament to all the good the club Members have shown. I hope to learn by their example.

Thanks.