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Post by conman on Dec 30, 2019 10:41:50 GMT 12
Here is a video of soaring the West Coast of Auckland by a German Pilot visiting the Auckland Gliding Club
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Post by Dave Homewood on Dec 30, 2019 14:11:28 GMT 12
That is neat footage. It reminds me of the coast north of Raglan. Is soaring that low along the beach legal? I assume it must be as you can land on a beach legally. What is the beeping? Fish finder?  |
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Post by conman on Dec 30, 2019 14:58:33 GMT 12
Yes well spotted it is filmed between Raglan and Port Waikato, there is no minimum altitude specified for “ridge soaring” and as there is still some pressure lift on that part of the beach all is in order , bar that it was an approach and overshoot, the beeping is the variometer system indicating the lift status. Hopefully he has another video on the way which features some footage captured using professional gear from a cliff top north of Kariotahi
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Post by Dave Homewood on Dec 30, 2019 15:14:58 GMT 12
Thanks Con. Good stuff.
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Post by baz62 on Dec 31, 2019 15:01:00 GMT 12
What is the beeping? Fish finder? The beeping is an aural Climb and descent instrument. I think (and glider pilots will correct me if I'm wrong) the faster the beeps the faster the rate of climb. Good to find the lift you need. |
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Post by planewriting on Jan 1, 2020 8:01:40 GMT 12
Correct Baz. I understand, from the latest Auckland Gliding Club newsletter, the pilot is Stefan Langer. Pilots from the Aviation Sports Club also share in the exhilarating ride up and down the West Coast beaches (Piha, Bethells, Muriwai etc) and down to Raglan. Pilots from both clubs have for several years now been tracking out to the coast from their bases at Whenuapai and Drury to commence the run. The Auckland club also uses a convenient strip at Douglas Road out near the coast.
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Post by flyinkiwi on Jan 10, 2020 9:54:27 GMT 12
Is soaring that low along the beach legal? I admit to being skeptical but the law is quite specific: FYI rule 91.311(a)(2) is where it says pilots can't fly under 500 feet above the surface. |
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Post by baronbeeza on Jan 13, 2020 7:10:38 GMT 12
Another from the same series.
I have spent many hours doing similar in this area and it really is a different gliding environment.
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Post by planewriting on Jan 13, 2020 10:55:32 GMT 12
I've just been sorting through some old Gliding Kiwi magazines and found one dated about 1980 showing a glider soaring along the Auckland West Coast dunes. As you will see, doing that is not new by any means.
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Post by conman on Jan 25, 2020 10:50:37 GMT 12
Stefan has put together a final version of his West Coast video which includes external and drone footage
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Post by planewriting on Jan 25, 2020 15:13:45 GMT 12
Exhilirating in anybody's language. Thanks Conal.
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