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Post by kiwithrottlejockey on Jan 18, 2012 20:37:56 GMT 12
Location: Omarama District: National Alerts 9:22pm - 18th January 2012 Fatal Glider Accident Short description: Fatal Glider Accident Full description: MEDIA RELEASE FATAL GLIDER ACCIDENT SNOWY TOPS - OMARAMA At about 6.34pm Wednesday 18 January 2012, Emergency Services were called to the scene of a fatal glider crash which occurred at Snowy Tops, Omarama. The glider had a single pilot who was found deceased at the scene of the accident. Emergency Services from Omarama, Twizel and Search & Rescue attended the scene. The Civil Aviation Authority investigators will go to the scene of the accident tomorrow. The name of the deceased will not be released at this stage until next of kin can be notified. No further details are available at this stage. Inspector Pau Fremaux Shift Commander Southern Communication Centre. You can also view the full details of the alert online at: www.police.govt.nz/news/updates/30613 |
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jan 18, 2012 20:52:45 GMT 12
Very sad news.
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Post by kiwithrottlejockey on Jan 19, 2012 15:18:50 GMT 12
Title: Oamaru Police Release Name of Glider Pilot 4:03pm - 19th January 2012 Oamaru Police have released the name of the man who died as a result of a glider crash early yesterday evening. He was 60-year-old Michael John McKellow (known as Joe), of Hororata, Selwyn District. The crash occurred around 6.20pm yesterday on a mountain called Snowy Top, approximately 10.5 kilometres northwest of Omarama airfield. Mr McKellow was piloting the fixed-wing glider when it appeared to lose altitude rapidly, before crashing on a gentle slope on the western side of the peak. He was the sole occupant of the glider and participating in a private flight with a friend who was piloting another glider in the same locality. The friend witnessed the crash and notified emergency services. Civil Aviation Authority investigators are soon to arrive at the site to examine the scene and investigate the crash. Mr McKellow was an experienced and competent pilot who had flown internationally and recently returned from flying in the United States. Oamaru Police have referred the matter to the coroner. ENDS Released by Acting Inspector Jason McCoy, Oamaru Media inquiries to Southern District Communications Manager on 027 556 1814 Please view the full news release online at: www.police.govt.nz/news/release/30624.html |
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jan 19, 2012 15:45:07 GMT 12
What is meant by a fixed-wing glider?
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Post by Brett on Jan 19, 2012 18:29:59 GMT 12
Differentiating it from hang-gliders or para-gliders, perhaps?
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Post by flyjoe180 on Jan 20, 2012 8:39:56 GMT 12
I cannot think of any examples of a non fixed-wing glider.
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Post by Bruce on Jan 20, 2012 8:54:33 GMT 12
Gyro-glider?
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Post by lumpy on Jan 20, 2012 11:31:24 GMT 12
I would say its someone getting their terminology wrong . They probably figured that a glider is like a fixed wing plane - but without an engine , therefore its a fixed wing glider . Probably is , but not necessary to say so .
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jan 20, 2012 12:17:06 GMT 12
Am I right in thinking that all gliders have detachable wings to aid in their transportation after putting down in away paddocks, etc? Or are there types that have wings permantly flixed in place and not road transportable?
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Post by Peter Lewis on Jan 20, 2012 14:20:42 GMT 12
A couple of Alf Crowe's Bensen gyros (GBP & HBV) flew, at least initially, unpowered.
So they would have been rotating-wing gliders.
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Post by sqwark2k on Jan 22, 2012 21:52:12 GMT 12
Am I right in thinking that all gliders have detachable wings to aid in their transportation after putting down in away paddocks, etc? Or are there types that have wings permantly flixed in place and not road transportable? Correct. All gliders are designed to fit in road trailers for storage and ground transportation. The latest and greatest gliders have multiple sections of wings that click together to form the main plane. |
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jan 22, 2012 22:55:33 GMT 12
Thanks. That sounds quite innovative. Regardless of the word used (and it was not meant as a criticism by me of the writer but genuine curiosity) it is always a very das day when our aviation communtiy loses one of its own (or more) in tragic circumstances. RIP
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