Brings back memories of my first experience of flying Ben. I smiled when you were doing stalls: I used to cruise at just above stall speed because it was so quiet and peaceful, my instructor kept telling me off, at that stage we hadn't done stalls. Eventually he'd ahd enough and one flight he said "This is what happens if you keep flying at that speed" and put the glider into a stall. Shame I never carried on with the gliding but came back to powered flight when I retired.

Seeing you all spiralling @4:20 reminded me of my gliding days at what was West Malling airfield (Hawker Hurricane base in WWII but now a damn housing estate 😡) in ASK-21s in the '80s when I was in the ATC. We'd get winched up and head straight over the industrial parks of Maidstone before heading up Blue Bell Hill to catch the thermals off the huge car parks of GEC-Avionics (now BAE SYSTEMS and who I would end up working for 20 years). Those times were some of the best I've ever experienced, the peace and tranquillity, now I can only do it in MSFS in VR 😧

Really good video and good to see how different instructors teach. With the yaw string think of it pointing like an arrow to the foot you need to press when turning. Another tip I was taught is use the tape for the yaw string like a gun sight on aero tow, use it to try and keep it inline with the top of the tugs tail, if the tail is below the yaw string you’re getting too high behind the tug, it’s not exact but it will keep the glider roughly in the correct position.

As a non-pilot, watching those stalls was quite interesting. I never imagined a glider getting into that sort of orientation.

I soloed a C172 on my 16th birthday and got my first solo in a glider on my 18th birthday. Looking back on it, I believe one should take glider lessons first. Gliders teach energy management. If you get into an "unusual" situation like an engine failure...being comfortable in a glide mode is obviously preferrable.

Ha-ha! And, when I thought you were not feeling well, you were having fun! This looks like a blast! Thanks for sharing these videos with "Powered Pilot Learns to Glide" series!

Really insightful series Ben and great to see you happily up in the air! Looking forward to the next video.

This brings back memories. Good job Ben.

Good instructing technique, clear, concise, measured unambiguous vocal inputs with encouragement & compliments when required. Love to be taught by him. Spent much of the 1980's & '90's gliding at Lasham, always felt safe but amused by snotty remarks about the place by members of other clubs.

Another great video Ben, the K21 looks like good fun to fly!

Great series, really looking forward to the next one!

Brilliant! I started flying gliders at Edgehill before I moved to power. Wish I'd never stopped, much more fun! Thanks for reviving happ memories, Ben.

What a video! Super well done, both flying and editing. Top class instructor! Brings back so many memories… 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

I'm enjoying following you on your gliding journey, Ben. I didn't realise it would be so exciting! 👌👏👏

Another great watch

Great video Ben, great to see your first gliding experience, great series so far.

Very nice, fascinating Ben, thanks for sharing. I'm looking forward to taking up an offer of a glider flight from an instructor with less trepidation 😊👍

hehe, that was brilliant! Looking forward to the next episode Ben!

Great video really enjoying this series so far 👍

Awesome video mate, best so far!

Totally awesome 👍

Well done 👍 Ben really good

Think of the tape attaching the string to the canopy as an arrow head. It points toward the rudder you need to use to maintain balanced flight and minimise drag.

I went solo in a K7, then a t21 at Retford Gamston, Dukeries Gliding Club. Nice video, why isnt the yaw string in the middle lol

Awesome

Airfield looks a lot further away on camera. I don’t know if you have a SPL now but the angle was looking like you were a bit low. Great job though, I just went on my first solo Friday on the winch

Very interesting, Ben, Surprised you didn't spin it! Next time, perhaps? BTW talking of the Dash 8 I take it you fly commercial. Did I hear you on the radio flying into Manchester a week or so back? Yeah, the yaw string works opposite sense to the ball. When converting from gliders to powered aeroplanes way back in the '70s I was taught to 'put your foot behind the ball'. Just do the opposite in the glider! As I'm sure you do.

When does the next episode come out?

Hi Ben. Followed your modular route all the way through - now undertaking mine, I wondered whether you have a degree/studied a degree prior to your training? Thanks.

Hey Ben, did you got your commercial pilot licence? Are you working for some airline?

Awesome video Ben. The guy with you seems a top man, very happy and friendly . Am I mistaken or did you mention a while ago you are now working as a commercial Airlines Pilot ?

hand off the release at 50 feet?/We do 1000 AGL