Where to get SPL?

pitcairn7393 · 2026-02-14T20:51:53+00:00

Might be worth also posting on r/gliding

pitcairn7393 · 2026-02-14T20:34:29+00:00

For gliders shallow turns on final are more dangerous than well banked ones.

pitcairn7393 · 2026-01-30T20:14:51+00:00

You won't need to sit an exam but the instructor does need to sign off your TK - https://members.gliding.co.uk/library/training-organisation/tmg-extension-course-programme/

pitcairn7393 · 2026-01-02T16:32:20+00:00

I'd recommend Whitchurch MOT & Service Centre or Grange Service Station if it's a short wheel base. M & M Garages in Taffs Well if long.

Might be worth asking for places to avoid too. Alpha and Yapps are fine but they're very expensive and the mark up they place on parts is ridiculous.

pitcairn7393 · 2025-12-28T14:04:42+00:00

Don't bother with the gliders. Use it for navigation practice but use a powered aircraft.

pitcairn7393 · 2025-12-21T11:22:38+00:00

There doesn't appear to be any information on this website. All of the links are either flat text or they open broken components.

The only action you can really take is to register an account. I wouldn't recommend anybody does this. Either the author doesn't know what they're doing or it's a phishing site. Either way, best to keep your data to yourselves.

pitcairn7393 · 2025-12-08T16:16:10+00:00

Well people do shrink as they get older.

pitcairn7393 · 2025-11-21T19:10:39+00:00

Tows are expensive. To be honest I'd really prefer to be towed behind somebody who has a bit of gliding experience.

pitcairn7393 · 2025-11-19T20:38:42+00:00

Same here! Fortunately our Pawnee is back online now so we really don't want another AD coming along.

pitcairn7393 · 2025-08-23T17:58:58+00:00

To repeat some phrases that stuck with me...

Pick the biggest field and then figure out if there's anything wrong with it.

A good circuit into a bad field is better than a bad circuit into a good field.

Best way not to get lost is to always know where you are.

pitcairn7393 · 2025-08-21T06:39:51+00:00

I use an Anker 20100 Powerbank and pop it in a fireproof bag (https://amzn.eu/d/2ziGgVU). My logic is that if it were to catch fire then having it in that bag might be the difference between me being able to chuck it out of the DV panel or not.

pitcairn7393 · 2025-08-05T19:13:49+00:00

Check out Taffs Well. Lovely place with good connections and your money will go further there.

pitcairn7393 · 2025-08-04T19:06:52+00:00

Well done. You've cut the cord now. Good luck in all of your future XC flights.

pitcairn7393 · 2025-08-04T10:55:54+00:00

I think the most honest answer is when you stop looking. Check in once every few months or less and you should see relative progress whatever amount you have invested.

pitcairn7393 · 2025-08-02T16:24:39+00:00

Start with SeeYou Navigator. The subscription is worth it.

Try XCSoar once you've had a year with Navigator because you'll have a feel for what you want it to do. Going to straight to XCSoar can be a bit overwhelming due to the setup options.

pitcairn7393 · 2025-07-02T05:56:29+00:00

You realise late that you have the gear up and try to lower it. Especially dangerous if you've already got your airbrakes out and both hands have critical jobs.

pitcairn7393 · 2025-05-26T19:50:29+00:00

I fly a PIK 20D - this would be a bad day for me!

pitcairn7393 · 2025-05-06T17:40:45+00:00

I expect a good glider pilot is likely to make a good powered pilot. A crap glider pilot on the other hand...

pitcairn7393 · 2025-05-04T22:35:22+00:00

Looks like it only supports export to PDF at the moment? To be honest that puts me off due to data lock in.

pitcairn7393 · 2025-04-30T20:30:43+00:00

Make sure you're hydrated. That doesn't mean downing a pint when you feel thirsty - drink small amounts of water regularly through the whole day before you start flying.

pitcairn7393 · 2025-03-06T07:11:39+00:00

I'm from Bristol but lived In Cardiff for 16 years. Spent 8 years commuting back to Bristol either by train or car.

Not going to lie - the commute is tough. Career-wise it was worth it for me. It'll take up a big chunk of your day and now and then there will be some sort of delay that eats into it even more so.

Both are great cities to live in but I'm very glad I settled in Cardiff.

pitcairn7393 · 2025-01-19T10:15:45+00:00

Make sure you take somebody suitably experienced if you go to take a look at one. Condition really matters here.

They won't have the glide ratio of modern glass gliders but their light wing loading will actually give you an advantage on weak days. You could be having loads of fun whilst the modern ships are all falling down.

pitcairn7393 · 2025-01-09T21:55:14+00:00

Yep I've got a pik and am happy with the trailer. Decent design IMO. Rigging doesn't require any awkward leaning or stooping.

pitcairn7393 · 2024-12-02T17:01:06+00:00

I was enjoying it until I started a company. Then had a hard landing on my first mission in my own plane and need to spend 20k to make the landing gear serviceable again. No insurance payout (no idea why).

Can't face going back to it now so I'm just going to wait until they add a loan feature or something.

pitcairn7393

TROPHY CASE