MüK Large-Scale Sailing Gathering for Region 3

This year marked the first time that Region 3’s large-glider meet was organized as an aerobatics competition. On July 1, nine pilots gathered at the MG Wettingen airfield in Ruckfeld near Tegerfelden. Hanspeter Senn developed a program of turning maneuvers tailored to the specific characteristics of glider aerobatics. The gliders are brought up to the starting altitude by tow or, where possible, using a high-lift winch. Piggyback towing is also an option, though it is less common for large gliders with a wingspan of at least 3.75 m. As with the powered flight course, the program is flown within a window whose boundaries form a 60-degree angle to the left, right, and up. The only exception is the concluding right-hand landing pattern with a precision landing on a strip.

The actual maneuver program begins with the “Alpha” maneuver (a ¾ pulled loop plus a ¼ pushed loop), followed by a horizontal inverted flight. Speed is then built up with a ½ pulled loop to perform a full pulled loop, followed by a renversement. The glider emerges from the renversement with sufficient speed and concludes the aerobatic program with a horizontal roll.

Glider aerobatics opens up new dimensions of model control for the pilot and is also appealing to spectators. Following this successful trial event, which was excellently prepared and executed by the MG Wettingen, we hope to inspire more pilots to take up this fascinating branch of model flying next year.

Rolf Girsberger