Air sports provide incredible sensations, as one of their main characteristics is offering the opportunity to see aerial landscapes that would otherwise be impossible to experience.
But what air sports can we practise? There's a wide variety, but this time we'll focus on gliding and the safety regulations to follow before and during the activity.
What should you consider before gliding?
1. If we want to fly solo, the absolute first requirement is completing a pilot course. To carry out the activity, you must understand all types of operations, techniques, manoeuvres, flight habits... which would be impossible without proper training.2. We should remember that the instructor providing our pilot training is sufficiently professional to warrant following their advice. Any doubts should be addressed, and we should practise any imperfect manoeuvres as many times as necessary.
3. During takeoff, it's crucial to understand that takeoff should be executed firmly but without forcing it. Additionally, you must avoid remaining in the propeller wash and marginal vortices.
4. Avoid any unnecessary movements in any direction, during turns or straight towing. Similarly, sufficient effort must be made to prevent or eliminate any slack in the tow rope when necessary.
5. Ensure when flying that practice manoeuvres are performed in suitable airspace if you later want to rejoin the traffic circuit without needing to execute abrupt movements or excessively long glides.
6. Important aspects:
- Maintain the ability to fly in both directions (though standard practice is left-hand circuits). However, always be careful not to interfere with another pilot's flight and obtain prior authorisation from airfield authorities.
- Always ensure you don't change direction if there's an aircraft nearby.
- Maintaining a constant gliding speed is crucial, as is being properly prepared for the descent to the landing point.
- Before takeoff, verify that the dive brakes function correctly to implement alternative procedures if needed.
- As a general rule, land approximately 50 metres before or after a pre-selected point.
