|
|
Post by kiwi on Nov 1, 2007 18:11:38 GMT 12
I was travelling close to Goudies Road , between Reporoa and Murapara on Sunday afternoon and saw two gliders in farm fields about a kilometre apart . Are they opperated from these farms or did they just run out of lift ? The one closest to the road had the rego GUY and the Swiss cross on the fin , they were both mainly white , and I did not see a means to launch them .
|
|
|
|
Post by flyjoe180 on Nov 2, 2007 9:04:51 GMT 12
|
|
|
|
Post by Bruce on Nov 2, 2007 14:38:08 GMT 12
Most gliding in the Taupo region is based out of the Centennial park airstrip (beside the motor racing track) this is where the tow planes and winch equipment would be based. The machines you saw probably were out-landings, where they've run out of lift to complete cross countries. Sometimes if there is enough room and the paddocks are suitable they will be recovered by towplane, but generally its a call back to base to bring out the recovery trailer.
I think that gliding operations can take place anywhere that power flying can, including farm strips, its just that generally they require the infrastructure (winch or towplane - unless they are self launching motorgliders) and a fair bit of strip width due to wingspan. Smooth surfaces would also be reasonably important due to the low slung lightweight undercarriages, and towplane launches take up a bit of runway ength, not so much for the glider, but for the towplane.
|
|
|
|
Post by fletcherfu24 on Nov 2, 2007 17:43:08 GMT 12
Central Plateau Contest 27 Oct- 3 Nov Taupo.
Rotorua club used to fly of the topdressing strip by the Murupara road at Rerewhakaitu,and its not uncommon for competition sailplanes from Matamata to fly courses down Reporoa way and land out down there.
|
|
