How many Glider Rides in one day

Checking my scruffy old logbooks, on October 6, 1996 I gave 15
commercial glider rides at Turf Soaring: 1 acro in an ASK-21 (logbook
note says "She was a screamer but enjoyed it"!); 9 rides in my
favorite SGS 2-32 (the first was a "photo flight for the group",
whatever that was), and 5 more rides in a Grob 103A (which do not
appear to have been acro). At the time I was helping out as a part
time backseat stick actuator when groups from Phoenix resorts would
show up (40 or more at a time) for rides. OK in October, ugly in May
when the temps got into the 100's!

A month later (Nov 10) I gave 8 back to back acro rides in a G-103A -
that was a lot more work!

And my daily total is surely no better than average...

I don't remember any of those flights except for the screamer - she
was exceptional! I just love those 5 point harnesses...

It's a great way to build experience and time; and it is a lot of fun
most of the time - you meet some really fun people.

Kirk
Ls6-b "66"

in article , Kirk Stant at
wrote on 2003/10/27 8:48:

I don't remember any of those flights except for the screamer - she
was exceptional! I just love those 5 point harnesses....

As a new Tow Pilot my max day is only 26 tows during a late mid-west US
season weekend day. This at a commercial operation supplying its own and a
local club with tows using two PA-25s.

Surely other tow pilots have greater numbers, but I'm not looking forward to
any 40-tow days next July.

What's your max, and where?



Jack

Jack:

On August 22, 1980, I made 53 tows at the now defunct Windy City
Soaring just outside of Chicago. Two gentlemen were trying to amass
PIC flights for their commercial certificates.

Other big days:

7-12-81 34 tows
7-20-80 26 tows
5-14-80 29 tows

Much younger with lots of energy. I couldn't do it today.

PS Windy City was a truly wonderful place to be at and learn. Ron
Ridenour ran a terrific operation. Very sad to see it go a few years
ago.

Tom J

In article ,
(Thomas J Johnson) wrote:

Jack:

On August 22, 1980, I made 53 tows at the now defunct Windy City
Soaring just outside of Chicago. Two gentlemen were trying to amass
PIC flights for their commercial certificates.

Other big days:

7-12-81 34 tows
7-20-80 26 tows
5-14-80 29 tows

Much younger with lots of energy. I couldn't do it today.

PS Windy City was a truly wonderful place to be at and learn. Ron
Ridenour ran a terrific operation. Very sad to see it go a few years
ago.

Tom J

I remember one Labor Day weekend at Caesar Creek where we had around 130
tows in one day.

I did 59 tows in 1 day during the Wind Fair at Tehachapi.

Max all time for Skylark North was, I believe, 61 on the same day by Ted Hutter.

in article , Mark Grubb at
wrote on 2003/10/29 17:44:

I did 59 tows in 1 day during the Wind Fair at Tehachapi.

Max all time for Skylark North was, I believe, 61 on the same day by Ted
Hutter.

I am awed, and weak in the knees just thinking about it. I'd better get this
60-year old body whipped into shape for next season. ;

You and Ted must have had some excellent cooperation and well organized
ground handling of the gliders to keep moving at that rate. How many people
does an operation like that take?



Jack

Loyal Savaria at Avenal has made maybe 30 tows maybe a dozen days
over the past year, mostly feb-sep when the thermals are
great and they start right at 1000 ft (nice
to get unlimited thermals with only a $10 tow).

Of course he's not exactly getting rich on these low
tows, but we ply him with free lunch once in a while.
There should be an award for "World's Most Beloved Tow Pilot."

During last August I was 1 week in another club where
people had asked for help for an intensive ride
session. Some other pilots were flying rides in others
2 seaters during the same time. The principle was short
flights in the morning (time to glide back from winch launch
at 400m, i.e. 5 min) and longer (~ 15-20 min) in the afternoon.
The ground crew was very efficient by preparing the next
passenger before the flight with an extra parachute before
the landing. Nevertheless, my best day shows only 10 flights.
The limiting factor was the retrieve time for the winch cables
(2 cables only). During some morning flights, I lengthened the
flight, as lift was already available and the winch was not ready.

12 aerotows before midday once.

First was at about 9:15. 4 Students each took 3 aerotows. Pupe and self
landed short, stayed strapped in and towed off from rest position for 3
launches then swapped to next pilot. All were just pre solo and we went
through full CB- checks before eacn flight, one got a 'challenging' rope
break ( the last launch of the series ) and then went solo later in the day.
( My first solo signoff )

Ian


"Robert Ehrlich" wrote in message
...
During last August I was 1 week in another club where
people had asked for help for an intensive ride
session. Some other pilots were flying rides in others
2 seaters during the same time. The principle was short
flights in the morning (time to glide back from winch launch
at 400m, i.e. 5 min) and longer (~ 15-20 min) in the afternoon.
The ground crew was very efficient by preparing the next
passenger before the flight with an extra parachute before
the landing. Nevertheless, my best day shows only 10 flights.
The limiting factor was the retrieve time for the winch cables
(2 cables only). During some morning flights, I lengthened the
flight, as lift was already available and the winch was not ready.

In 110 degree heat in Arizona I did 12 acro rides in one afternoon and
managed to "talk" some passenger into no acro and just cruising around (so I
could rest). I was whipped, never got out of the plane. I think they
offered me one more acro ride and I gave it to Kirk. They sent a golf cart
out to carry me to the shade because they said I looked so pathetic leaning
on the wing. I actually was in good shape. I just must look pathetic.

Barb

"Kirk Stant" wrote in message
...
Checking my scruffy old logbooks, on October 6, 1996 I gave 15
commercial glider rides at Turf Soaring: 1 acro in an ASK-21 (logbook
note says "She was a screamer but enjoyed it"!); 9 rides in my
favorite SGS 2-32 (the first was a "photo flight for the group",
whatever that was), and 5 more rides in a Grob 103A (which do not
appear to have been acro). At the time I was helping out as a part
time backseat stick actuator when groups from Phoenix resorts would
show up (40 or more at a time) for rides. OK in October, ugly in May
when the temps got into the 100's!

A month later (Nov 10) I gave 8 back to back acro rides in a G-103A -
that was a lot more work!

And my daily total is surely no better than average...

I don't remember any of those flights except for the screamer - she
was exceptional! I just love those 5 point harnesses...

It's a great way to build experience and time; and it is a lot of fun
most of the time - you meet some really fun people.

Kirk
Ls6-b "66"