flying
/flying330
For pilots, student pilots and aviation enthusiasts
Initial signs point to lack of experience and security practices, as is often the case with ultralight plane crashes. Authorities will investigate, and it will take time.
Stay safe. Security isn't a constraint on freedom—it’s what makes freedom possible. You have no freedom when you're dead.
Stay safe. Security isn't a constraint on freedom—it’s what makes freedom possible. You have no freedom when you're dead.
18229
Nico
@nicom·17:31 29/04/2025
Today I had to deal with local journalists who rushed to cover an ultralight crash before rescue even arrived. They published an article with a photo of our sailplane club hangar, completely unrelated to the accident.
I had to intervene to prevent it from going to print tomorrow.
Sailplane clubs already struggle with a false reputation of being a rich man's hobby (it is 10x cheaper than powered flight and very accessible) and with the fear narrative that flying is more dangerous for teenagers than spending their day on TikTok. We do not need misinformation adding to our challenges.
Accidents are already painful enough without careless reporting hurting volunteer-run clubs trying to survive.
I had to intervene to prevent it from going to print tomorrow.
Sailplane clubs already struggle with a false reputation of being a rich man's hobby (it is 10x cheaper than powered flight and very accessible) and with the fear narrative that flying is more dangerous for teenagers than spending their day on TikTok. We do not need misinformation adding to our challenges.
Accidents are already painful enough without careless reporting hurting volunteer-run clubs trying to survive.
A bit about my pilot background. A🧵:
- I started dreaming about flying when I was 2yo. (Maybe before but I made this number up as I can't remember, but when I was a kid for sure).
- I drew my first plane around 5yo. And all drawings had a plane in it after that. Drawing of mom, of course, look she is in a plane, you can see her eye through the window. A flower? Here's one with a plane flying over...
- I went as a passenger on front seat in a DR200 at 6yo
- I built my first model plane out of balsa wood with my teacher when I was 10yo.
- I built one all by myself at 12 with a small 1.5cc gas engine. I still have it but it requires some repairs. Glue is cracking.
- I drew my first plane blueprint at about the same age.
- I wanted to be a pilot but poor seight made teachers tell me I could not. It's completely incorrect. Many fly with glasses.
- then I discovered computer simulation and flew everything that looked like a plane. They were looking more like a pixel at the time but imagination does the rest.
- I started dreaming about flying when I was 2yo. (Maybe before but I made this number up as I can't remember, but when I was a kid for sure).
- I drew my first plane around 5yo. And all drawings had a plane in it after that. Drawing of mom, of course, look she is in a plane, you can see her eye through the window. A flower? Here's one with a plane flying over...
- I went as a passenger on front seat in a DR200 at 6yo
- I built my first model plane out of balsa wood with my teacher when I was 10yo.
- I built one all by myself at 12 with a small 1.5cc gas engine. I still have it but it requires some repairs. Glue is cracking.
- I drew my first plane blueprint at about the same age.
- I wanted to be a pilot but poor seight made teachers tell me I could not. It's completely incorrect. Many fly with glasses.
- then I discovered computer simulation and flew everything that looked like a plane. They were looking more like a pixel at the time but imagination does the rest.
What I enjoy most when I ride back from the airfield after flying sailplanes is seeing the sky I spent my day in, now transformed by dusk.
Cleaning sailplanes is part of the security policy.
Not only mosquito free wing flies better, less turbulent air stream, but it is also a matter of care: it's called the broken window effect. If you picked a clean plane, you are more eager to return a clean and carefully used plane.
But you also detect issues more easily. That's one of the reasons why we paint planes white. Easier to see cracks.
Here one of our student pilot learning the proper use of the shammy.
Not only mosquito free wing flies better, less turbulent air stream, but it is also a matter of care: it's called the broken window effect. If you picked a clean plane, you are more eager to return a clean and carefully used plane.
But you also detect issues more easily. That's one of the reasons why we paint planes white. Easier to see cracks.
Here one of our student pilot learning the proper use of the shammy.
I had to stay in the green air speed arc today (bottom left quadrant is the anemometer)
Too many turbulences to enter the yellow arc. But hey, 150km/h air speed (20kmh side wind and we are at 1300m over sea level, will explain later what this changes) without engine is not that bad.
That's what we call transitions: travelling from a positive lift zone to another and spending less time as possible in the negative vertical speed zones.
Slow down when air goes up, go faster when air goes down. That's the basics of piloting a sailplane.
Too many turbulences to enter the yellow arc. But hey, 150km/h air speed (20kmh side wind and we are at 1300m over sea level, will explain later what this changes) without engine is not that bad.
That's what we call transitions: travelling from a positive lift zone to another and spending less time as possible in the negative vertical speed zones.
Slow down when air goes up, go faster when air goes down. That's the basics of piloting a sailplane.
8004
justin.ahn.eth
@ahn.eth·14:30 28/04/2025
video stp !
Any pilots here 🧑✈️👨✈️👨✈️
Follow for follow!
Shares inspirations of flying✈️
ps. Nice sky in the Japan.
Follow for follow!
Shares inspirations of flying✈️
ps. Nice sky in the Japan.
Crazy how time flies.
It’s also the only thing flying today, tow plane's still in the shop, so the sailplane stays grounded.
It’s also the only thing flying today, tow plane's still in the shop, so the sailplane stays grounded.
During today's flight, we unexpectedly flew through the clouds and saw a magnificent rainbow!
Just had my first UAV crash ever. How’s your day going?
We're grounded. Tow plane's still at the mechanic, so no launches today.
Frustrating to watch those perfect clouds drift by—just right for soaring.
No will to fly with the engine. It's not the same.
Frustrating to watch those perfect clouds drift by—just right for soaring.
No will to fly with the engine. It's not the same.
Asked chatGPT to make a 6 frame comic strip of my ideal weekend, based on what you know about me.
It is 100% accurate.
It is 100% accurate.
7732
aneri
@aneri·22:04 09/04/2025
Just asked ChatGPT to make a 6 frame comic strip of my ideal weekend, based on what it knows about me lol.
Kinda love this prompt - try it out!
Kinda love this prompt - try it out!
This little Piper J-3 C-65 Cub, is still going strong and based at LFAS airfield.
Born in the 40s, it’s one of those aircraft that keeps the spirit of aviation alive—slow, light, and absolutely charming. It doesn’t need complex avionics to remind you what flying over Normandy really feels like.
Born in the 40s, it’s one of those aircraft that keeps the spirit of aviation alive—slow, light, and absolutely charming. It doesn’t need complex avionics to remind you what flying over Normandy really feels like.
Everyone was out yesterday. Sunny skies, wind aligned, and the grass field buzzing with life.
Here’s the Stolp SA-300 Starduster Too taxiing to runway 06. 200hp of pure vintage joy, and yes—the pilot's helmet matches the vibe perfectly.
Now check the heart on the fuselage. It’s an homage to Eugene Jacques Bullard, the first African-American military pilot—who flew not for the U.S., but for France in WWI. His SPAD S.VII bore the words: “All blood runs red.”
Hard to miss the resonance.
Airplanes, symbols, and stories we still need to carry.
Here’s the Stolp SA-300 Starduster Too taxiing to runway 06. 200hp of pure vintage joy, and yes—the pilot's helmet matches the vibe perfectly.
Now check the heart on the fuselage. It’s an homage to Eugene Jacques Bullard, the first African-American military pilot—who flew not for the U.S., but for France in WWI. His SPAD S.VII bore the words: “All blood runs red.”
Hard to miss the resonance.
Airplanes, symbols, and stories we still need to carry.
Big day in the sky!
21 glider flights today with a Rallye tow plane and solid teamwork.
Post-maintenance control flights, season kickoffs with instructors, and even a first-timer: a new 14-year-old SPL student joined for their very first flight.
Smooth start, sunny vibes, and lots more flying ahead!
Let the season begin!
21 glider flights today with a Rallye tow plane and solid teamwork.
Post-maintenance control flights, season kickoffs with instructors, and even a first-timer: a new 14-year-old SPL student joined for their very first flight.
Smooth start, sunny vibes, and lots more flying ahead!
Let the season begin!
Can’t wait until I can grab one of these bad boys and cut a 6 hour drive into an hour or so!
https://x.com/bricsinfo/status/1906818312694055419
https://x.com/bricsinfo/status/1906818312694055419
What better than a too windy Sunday to mount the sailplanes back to be ready for next flight.
I'm no mechanic but master in 3m tape laying for aerodynamics.
I'm no mechanic but master in 3m tape laying for aerodynamics.
Nice weather this Saturday for the first thermals. Flew to them with our motor glider SF28. (Here pictured during cleaning)
We received 3 new transponders today!
So excited, can't wait to install them in our sailplanes and be able to enter regulated zones!
So excited, can't wait to install them in our sailplanes and be able to enter regulated zones!
Took the 177 up to 14,000 feet—it was surprisingly happy at that altitude. Can’t say the same about myself 🙃
Chasing the sun from above—golden skies and endless horizons. ✨☁️
https://zora.co/coin/base:0x300e681fefbcf6e3af9f4ecd7961fe7a9b241296?referrer=0xa7fe62a4d84e1b67da14e5085b6cd76594938970
https://zora.co/coin/base:0x300e681fefbcf6e3af9f4ecd7961fe7a9b241296?referrer=0xa7fe62a4d84e1b67da14e5085b6cd76594938970
Flying sailplanes, when you have a negative vertical air speed zone (air going down) in thermal flight, it usually means, because of air convection, that you will reach a positive air speed zone (air going up) and that's what we use to gain altitude. The more down speed usually means the more up speed. If you enter a -1m/s zone, you will likely have a small +1m/s lift behind. But a -5m/s is usually the sign of a huge lift behind.
Do you think crypto works the same? What if we are in a -10m/s right now? Is it a cumulonimbus?
Do you think crypto works the same? What if we are in a -10m/s right now? Is it a cumulonimbus?
I finally flew into Alton Bay—the only FAA certified ice runway in the lower 48. Would definitely recommend any pilots in the area make the trip.
15676
Arr00
@arr00·20:14 23/01/2025
The runway is opening tomorrow! Only FAA certified ice runway in the continental USA!
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/19v1C3371m/?mibextid=wwXIfr
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/19v1C3371m/?mibextid=wwXIfr
Non air people tend to think about accident only impacting passengers and aircraft crew. But many other important people from the mechanic to the air controllers are involved and can carry heavy psychological pain when an accident happens.
7237
Thomas
@aviationdoctor.eth·11:57 31/01/2025
There’s one person who isn’t being included in the outpour of “thoughts and prayers” on social media, and that’s the air traffic controller whose voice can be heard discussing visual separation with the helicopter crew on the frequency.
Yet, I hope this person is getting the support they need — it must be unbearably hard on one’s conscience (regardless of whether they are at fault), and it’s not helping that POTUS himself is implying that they were an incompetent and inferior DEI hire.
As far as I’m concerned this person is a survivor of the accident (and the only one, unfortunately) and needs to be supported as such
Yet, I hope this person is getting the support they need — it must be unbearably hard on one’s conscience (regardless of whether they are at fault), and it’s not helping that POTUS himself is implying that they were an incompetent and inferior DEI hire.
As far as I’m concerned this person is a survivor of the accident (and the only one, unfortunately) and needs to be supported as such
Updating our knowledge about security and regulations before the new sailplane season starts. With the FFVP, French sailplane federation team, including a world champion!
The runway is opening tomorrow! Only FAA certified ice runway in the continental USA!
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/19v1C3371m/?mibextid=wwXIfr
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/19v1C3371m/?mibextid=wwXIfr
15676
Arr00
@arr00·21:01 10/12/2024
Will Alton Bay ice runway open this winter? https://canvass.fun/p/lfuh9v
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www.facebook.com
Will Alton Bay ice runway open this winter? https://canvass.fun/p/lfuh9v
Do you know what a Broken shadow is?
Here is a nice video from one of our pilots in a SF-28.
https://youtube.com/shorts/oB_bJ1O7nWs?si=ZXR_7AYQfpAo48Js
It feels like flying in formation 😎
The shadow, or Broken specter, is a rare phenomenon on the ground but quite common in flight.
On the ground, it generally requires being on top of a mountain (hence the name, from Mount Broken in Germany, where the phenomenon was first identified) and being directly aligned between the sun and a cloud. This means being at least as high as the clouds, but ideally slightly above them, which is easier to achieve in an aircraft.
The halo is caused by the refraction of light in the cloud's droplets, a phenomenon similar to rainbows. Its diameter is smaller than that of a rainbow because the droplets are finer (without going into too much detail, the difference is that in the Broken halo, the wave-like behavior of light comes into play, whereas rainbows are based on simple optics).
Here is a nice video from one of our pilots in a SF-28.
https://youtube.com/shorts/oB_bJ1O7nWs?si=ZXR_7AYQfpAo48Js
It feels like flying in formation 😎
The shadow, or Broken specter, is a rare phenomenon on the ground but quite common in flight.
On the ground, it generally requires being on top of a mountain (hence the name, from Mount Broken in Germany, where the phenomenon was first identified) and being directly aligned between the sun and a cloud. This means being at least as high as the clouds, but ideally slightly above them, which is easier to achieve in an aircraft.
The halo is caused by the refraction of light in the cloud's droplets, a phenomenon similar to rainbows. Its diameter is smaller than that of a rainbow because the droplets are finer (without going into too much detail, the difference is that in the Broken halo, the wave-like behavior of light comes into play, whereas rainbows are based on simple optics).
Sailplane season is over for us in west of France.
But we can still train with simulator as the new version of Condor is out.
Have you tried it with VR?
https://www.condorsoaring.com/
But we can still train with simulator as the new version of Condor is out.
Have you tried it with VR?
https://www.condorsoaring.com/
https://cities-today.com/air-taxi-trial-launched-in-bangkok/
I missed the test flight, I was in the building in front of it but did not know it happened. Anyone having any first hand video from the demo?
I missed the test flight, I was in the building in front of it but did not know it happened. Anyone having any first hand video from the demo?
Guys, i returned with the great news!!!
I managed to be applied for a job in an airline. My new aircraft type will be a Boeing 737-800, as it was in my dreams🥳🥳🥳
I’ve already started to learn it’s systems and limitations
Hope you will share my happiness😄
I managed to be applied for a job in an airline. My new aircraft type will be a Boeing 737-800, as it was in my dreams🥳🥳🥳
I’ve already started to learn it’s systems and limitations
Hope you will share my happiness😄
The Osprey's rotors can be vertical during takeoff and landing, and tilt to a horizontal position during flight. This design enables it to achieve high-speed flight, with a maximum speed of up to 315 kilometers per hour.
I'm shocked to discover that Philomena Cunk (Cunk on hearth - episode 4) was right saying we don't know how planes fly. I've been taught the pressure differencial explanation so far.
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/378259238_A_sail_is_not_a_wing
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/378259238_A_sail_is_not_a_wing
2024 was the worst year for flying sailplanes (COVID aside) due to bad weather in north west France.
June looked like November, September looks like November, I won't bet on October and November will probably look like itself... Can't wait for our SF-28 engine magneto to be fixed and fly over to the snowy landscapes.
June looked like November, September looks like November, I won't bet on October and November will probably look like itself... Can't wait for our SF-28 engine magneto to be fixed and fly over to the snowy landscapes.
