Session 8

WHEN     : Sunday 14th May 2000
WHAT     : Grob Checkout
WHO      : Dual instruction with Barry Dunning + solo
HOW LONG : 34 minutes in 2 dual flights, 20 minutes in 1 solo flight

  The day was a lot calmer than the last session...but sadly, thermal-less. So it was a case of towing up to 3,000 feet, and gliding down with some airwork on the way.

  This was fine for getting checked out in the Grob G-103 though. I could actually fly it instead of getting thrashed around as in the previous session. The Grob turned out to be an interesting machine - pretty much spin resistant (we tried cross controlled stalls - it just kind of mushes "like a cow," Barry said). It does need a lot of rudder though - more so than the Blanik or 2-33 it seemed. Rolling into a 45-degree banked turn required the rudder to be pushed to the floor. Once I got used to the different rudder usage, the tow became much easier as did just general airwork! The ship also gained speed quickly if the nose was pushed down too. The stick was pretty sensitive - a world of difference from the 2-33.

  I flew twice with Barry to go through all the airwork, and start coordinating this 17 meter winged ship correctly. Once that was done, it was time to solo the beast. It actually was a bit of a non-event, and due to the lack of thermals, well, I just did some airwork and came down! I look forward to flying this one in better soaring conditions. It's got the best glide ratio of all the club ships, and it does fly nicely.