Hero emulation

Can I just ask a basic question here - what is the purpose of the "low pass" and how does it further or add to the flight?

Thanks Tom

On Thursday, February 22, 2018 at 3:06:50 PM UTC-7, Tom wrote:
Can I just ask a basic question here - what is the purpose of the "low pass" and how does it further or add to the flight?

Thanks Tom

You can also ask "What is the purpose of flying XCountry?" or "What is the purpose of flying an airplane with no engine?"

My answer to your question and my two questions is "It's fun." We could stop having fun because its unsafe or teach everyone how to have fun more safely. As previous posters have mentioned, stopping people doing a low pass may not be the best way. It's like trying to teach kids abstinence. Useless.

It's very hard to see the various forms of wildlife lurking near the edges of the runway from pattern altitude. A low pass gives you a better idea what may be lurking. Also good practice for an outlanding where you can't tell the surface condition of the chosen field. It's also a great way to get the message across that you are about to land to lollygaggers on the runway who don't have their radios turned on. Other benefits are testing the possible wind gradient.

Boggs

In Minden it is a great way to see where the down part of the wave has set up.


On Thursday, February 22, 2018 at 2:06:50 PM UTC-8, Tom wrote:
Can I just ask a basic question here - what is the purpose of the "low pass" and how does it further or add to the flight?

Thanks Tom

It is joyful, inspirational and beautiful when done well. And it feels really good. And somewhat dangerous. A Personal call.

At 22:06 22 February 2018, Tom wrote:
Can I just ask a basic question here - what is the purpose of the "low
pass" and how does it further or add to the flight?

Thanks Tom



Hi Tom,

Answer: nothing. Glider pilots seem to have a fascination with seeing how
close they can get to the ground .. preferably with someone watching,
either in person or more often these days online, which is a real problem

and I think pretty unprofessional & foolish. I naively thought that gliding

was more professional than this but I'm realising now that gliding has
always had it's individualistic cowboy element, and more concerning is that

today's juniors are being encouraged to emulate this .. and the internet is

going to ensure it. I'm seriously considering giving up instructing after
17
years because I'm sick & tired of the supposed "safety culture" we bang on

about endlessly here in Australia being totally undermined by this
undisciplined and unnecessary "hooning" as we call it.

At 22:06 22 February 2018, Tom wrote:
Can I just ask a basic question here - what is the purpose of the "low
pass" and how does it further or add to the flight?

Thanks Tom



Hi Tom,

Answer: nothing. Glider pilots seem to have a fascination with seeing how
close they can get to the ground .. preferably with someone watching,
either in person or more often these days online, which is a real problem

and I think pretty unprofessional & foolish. I naively thought that gliding

was more professional than this but I'm realising now that gliding has
always had it's individualistic cowboy element, and more concerning is that

today's juniors are being encouraged to emulate this .. and the internet is

going to ensure it. I'm seriously considering giving up instructing after
17
years because I'm sick & tired of the supposed "safety culture" we bang on

about endlessly here in Australia being totally undermined by this
undisciplined and unnecessary "hooning" as we call it.

On Thursday, February 22, 2018 at 2:06:50 PM UTC-8, Tom wrote:
Can I just ask a basic question here - what is the purpose of the "low pass" and how does it further or add to the flight?

Thanks Tom

Hi Tom: Low passes can be fun to fly and are exciting to watch. They also have potential to end up very badly. I once did a low pass 20-30 years ago at Minden and pulled up into severe down air. That was not as much fun, never done a low pass on wave day again. One must always fly within your skill set and energy is life for a glider pilot. One burns a bit of energy in a low pass so you had better know what you are doing.

On Friday, February 23, 2018 at 10:21:40 AM UTC-5, Jonathan St. Cloud wrote:

I once did a low pass 20-30 years ago at Minden and pulled up into severe down air. That was not as much fun, never done a low pass on wave day again.

This reminds me of the millions of people that have found out the hard way; that having intercourse may result in pregnancy.

This reminds me of the millions of people that have found out the hard way; that having intercourse may result in pregnancy.

Said another way, having to explain why a pilot would do a low pass that wasn't necessary for landing is like having to explain why someone would have sex for reasons other than procreation.

It's fun. It's exciting. It feels good. So judge me.

Chip Bearden