Recruit Training Flight Lesson 4 Part 3 Basic Principles of Airmanship
Basic Principles of Airmanship Part 3 The Viking and Winch Launched Gliding & The Vigilant and Self Launched Gliding
Aim of the Lesson To introduce the concept of Air Experience Gliding; To introduce the Viking and Vigilant Aircraft; To look at standard instruments used in the Viking and Vigilant; To examine the difference between Self-Launched and Winch Launched Gliding.
By The End of the Lesson... Describe the features of a Viking and Vigilant aircraft; Be able to assist with launch of a winch launch glider; Have knowledge of gliding progression within the ATC.
Gliding with the ATC The ATC owns a fleet of both Winch Launched and Self Launching gliders. Their role is to provide Air Experience Gliding, Gliding Induction Courses and Gliding Scholarships. The fleet are divided between the Volunteer Gliding Squadrons and cover the UK. Our local VGS is at RAF Topcliffe and fly the Vigilant SLG.
Winch Launched Gliding The glider used by the ATC for winch launching is the Viking 2-seat tandem glider. This is largely made from Glass Reinforced Plastic (GRP) which makes it lightweight and strong. Cadets will usually fly from the front seat. Through the ATC syllabus of GICs and GS you can glide SOLO at the age of 16, before you can legally drive a car! After gliding Solo, there may be opportunities to advance to Advanced Wings and become a Flight Staff Cadet.
Team Work When launching Winch Launched Gliders a large amount of team work is required. Each person on the team will have a clear duty and the day will run smoothly and safely.
Controls The Viking WLG has the same basic controls as a conventional aircraft, with a couple of differences. There is no engine control (Well, DERRR). There is an extra control that the pilot pulls to release the winch cable at the correct height. There is a handle which when pulled to the rear operates the airbrake system.
Airbrake Handle Rudder Pedals Control Column Winch Cable Release
Airbrakes There are several different types of airbrakes fitted to gliders. Some operate on both the top and bottom surfaces of the wing. On the Viking, they only operate on the upper wings. They increase drag and reduce lift, allowing a glider to glide slower and descend more rapidly to land.
Airbrakes deployed for landing
Winch Launching The next Video clip will show a glider being winch launched. Pay attention to the commands: All Clear Above & Behind – the command to ask both pilot and helpers to check all is clear before takeoff. Take Up Slack – the winch driver will slowly bring in the cable slack. All Out – the command to launch the glider. The Winch driver will accelerate the winch to launch the glider.
Watch.. Watch this video from YouTube on winch launch gliding: LINK
Soaring Soaring is the art of prolonging glider flight using THERMALS. The sun may heat different areas of ground differently, and to use a thermal to climb you need to find an area of rising hot air. When you find the hot air rising, turn within the area stream and you will go up.
Using Hills As well as thermals, there may be upwards airflows on the windward side of hills. These can also be used to increase the height of a glider. The pilot will remain in the up upwards flowing air. Care should be taken not to fly over the ridge, as the glider will loose height rapidly on the other side.
Any Questions
The Viking Pre-Flight Video See the Squadron Website for the briefing video
Principle of Airmanship - Instructor Notes Questions for You Principle of Airmanship - Instructor Notes The winch launched glider mainly used in the ATC is the: a. Janus. b. Viking. c. Vigilant. d. Sedbergh. Fg Off McGuire - 292 Sqn ATC
Principle of Airmanship - Instructor Notes Questions for You Principle of Airmanship - Instructor Notes Which instrument is specific to gliders? a. Airspeed indicator. b. Turn and slip indicator. c. Variometer. d. Altimeter. Fg Off McGuire - 292 Sqn ATC
Principle of Airmanship - Instructor Notes Questions for You Principle of Airmanship - Instructor Notes Most gliders in the Air Cadet fleet are made from: a. Fabric. b. Metal. c. Glass reinforced plastic. d. Polycarbon fibres. Fg Off McGuire - 292 Sqn ATC
Principle of Airmanship - Instructor Notes Questions for You Principle of Airmanship - Instructor Notes The most common method of getting a glider airborne is: a. Aero-tow. b. Car-tow. c. Winch. d. Bungee. Fg Off McGuire - 292 Sqn ATC
Principle of Airmanship - Instructor Notes Questions for You Principle of Airmanship - Instructor Notes What is the term used for that type of gliding where the flight is prolonged by the use of rising air? a. Soaring. b. Cruising. c. Lofting. d. Loitering. Fg Off McGuire - 292 Sqn ATC
The Vigilant The Vigilant Motor Glider is a Self Launched Glider (SLG). It is also in use with VGS around the country. Like the Viking, it is made of Glass Reinforced Plastic. Unlike the Viking, it has a side-by-side cockpit layout, making training easier in some cases. It has a two bladed propeller, which can be set to fine for normal flight, coarse for takeoff or can be fully feathered for engine off gliding.
The Vigilant The engine is capable of producing 95 Brake Horse Power. The fuel used is AVGAS 100 Octane fuel. Avionics on the Vigilant consist of a 760 channel VFH radio, which is capable of both air-to-air and air-to-ground communication. It also has a passive transponder, which, when interrogated by RADAR will provide the location and type of aircraft on their screens.
Two Top Opening Doors High “T” Tail Configuration Two Blade Variable Pitch Propeller Tail Dragger Style Undercarriage
Standard Flight Controls, Including Temperatures and Pressures Vigilant Cockpit Layout Standard Flight Controls, Including Temperatures and Pressures Student Throttle Control Column Airbrake Operating Handle Rudder Pedals Propeller Feathering Handle
Checks Before flight, the internal, external, control and engines checks must be completed. There is a list of all the checks that have to be completed by the pilot/student in the FLIGHT REFERENCE CARDS. These include checking that the engine is running correctly, the exterior lights and wing surfaces, control surfaces and brakes. Checks are carried out prior to use, before start, while taxiing and during and after takeoff. There will also be checks done before landing.
Any Questions
The Vigilant Pre-Flight Video Principle of Airmanship - Instructor Notes See the Squadron Website for the briefing video Fg Off McGuire - 292 Sqn ATC
Principle of Airmanship - Instructor Notes Questions for You Principle of Airmanship - Instructor Notes In the Vigilant, at what height is the circuit normally flown? a. 800 feet b. 900 feet c. 1000 feet d. 750 feet Fg Off McGuire - 292 Sqn ATC
Principle of Airmanship - Instructor Notes Questions for You Principle of Airmanship - Instructor Notes Checks are required before and during take-off. Aircrew should? a. Memorize the checks b. Check everything c. Use Flight Reference Cards d. Rely on past experience Fg Off McGuire - 292 Sqn ATC
Principle of Airmanship - Instructor Notes Questions for You Principle of Airmanship - Instructor Notes How many channels does the Vigilant’s radio have? a. 770 b. 750 c. 760 d. 670 Fg Off McGuire - 292 Sqn ATC
Principle of Airmanship - Instructor Notes Questions for You Principle of Airmanship - Instructor Notes The propeller on the Vigilant has? a. 2 blades with 3 pitch settings b. 3 blades with 2 pitch settings c. 1 blade with 3 pitch settings d. 3 blades with 3 pitch settings Fg Off McGuire - 292 Sqn ATC
Principle of Airmanship - Instructor Notes Questions for You Principle of Airmanship - Instructor Notes The Vigilant has 100 Litres of fuel. Is it? a. AVGAS 90 octane b. AVGAS 110 octane c. AVGAS unleaded d. AVGAS 100 octane Fg Off McGuire - 292 Sqn ATC
By The End of the Lesson... Describe the features of a Viking and Vigilant aircraft; Be able to assist with launch of a winch launch glider; Have knowledge of gliding progression within the ATC.
Initial Expedition Training Look Ahead In the next lessons we will look at: Map Reading Initial Expedition Training