On Sun, 10 Sep 2006 00:37:41 GMT, Jose
wrote:

What ever happened to the old distinction that was made between
Gliders and Sail planes?

What is the distinction?

Way back and it may have been just here in the states, but gliders
were un powered planes that were towed behind others and then cut
loose to "glide" back to earth as in the troop gliders at Normandy.

Sail planes on the other hand had the ability to "sail" in the air.
They, like sail boats could turn on a dime, and use the wind and
updrafts to their advantage.

IOW sail planes could make use of thermals, and ridge currents to stay
aloft for a long time while gliders could not.,

Some times I still see the distinction made even in news reports, but
to most people sail planes are just gliders. I think it has been a
good 20 to 30 years since that distinction was commonly used. It was
pretty common when I started flying, but that was in 63.




Jose
Roger Halstead (K8RI & ARRL life member)
(N833R, S# CD-2 Worlds oldest Debonair)
www.rogerhalstead.com