#gliding — Public Fediverse posts
Live and recent posts from across the Fediverse tagged #gliding, aggregated by home.social.
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Yes we #gliding enthusiasts do have our heads in the clouds, why do you ask?
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Dragonfly Dogfights
Like fighter pilots of old, male dragonflies engage in aerial combat where each tries to outmaneuver the other to keep a sight on their rival’s tail. A recent study observed this combat in the field and uncovered some surprising similarities to dogfighting. Like pilots, dragonflies used spiraling turns and other high-g moves to gain an advantageous position behind the other. In human combat, that position favors the forward-facing weapons of the pilot in back; for dragonflies, it keeps their rival in the part of their vision that best detects movement.
Interestingly, the team found that–even in the midst of combat–dragonflies spent at least a third of their time gliding. It’s unclear whether they glide to conserve energy or because it’s easier to track a rival when gliding.
The authors dig into the control rules needed for dragonflies to execute these chases and found that even relatively simple control schemes–constrained by the dragonfly’s physical limits–result in complex flight contests. (Image and research credit: S. Fabian et al.; via Ars Technica)
#biology #dragonfly #dynamicsAndControls #flappingFlight #flightControl #fluidDynamics #gliding #physics #science -
The takeoff and landing from a short late-afternoon flight at @SOSAGlidingClub last week, putting together elements from separate videos of the same flight.
It was a treat to have some fellow pilots film it from the air! #gliding #aviation
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2026 Canadian #gliding Championships are at @SOSAGlidingClub. A reduced “grid” of gliders, ready to try their luck in strong and gusty conditions. Great opportunity to meet pilots from across the country and even a few from nearby nations.
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“The one where I had an opinion about my landing:” Landing on one of @SOSAGlidingClub's short runways during a solo student flight in 2025.
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At @SOSAGlidingClub, we rely on volunteers to mow the airfield.
Until recently, the volunteers were all members. But yesterday, neighbours showed up to help. They must have heard that this week we are hosting the National Championships.
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What is this #gliding thing parked at the end of the runway, and why do we say it is the best amusement park ride in @SOSAGlidingClub's province?
Answer in the replies.
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Yesterday afternoon's local flight at @SOSAGlidingClub
As the legend shows, red is strong climbing. In this flight... that was the tow. Yellow was thermal lift. Blue is sink. One decent climb, about 1,600' at about 4kts. You can see the circles are tight and I'm not flying half in a thermal and half in the sink surrounding it.
Practiced simulated winch failures and gambolled around Sheffield. Fun.
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Stefan Langer flying at 4,000m in lee waves over Norway. Spectacular #gliding!
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“Another Sunday Sled Ride” at @SOSAGlidingClub
Practising constant-speed turns, a rectangular thermal search pattern, and of course... landing circuits.
Not viral. Not thrilling. No grand theory of grit or determination or the value of 10,000 hours nailing the basics on your way to becoming an expert.
Just... FLYING.
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The view from (only) 4,000' AGL over @SOSAGlidingClub in Rockton, Ontario. What's not to like?
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Transport Canada:
“Within the 24 months preceding the date of application for the licence, an applicant shall have completed a minimum of 6 hours of glider pilot flight training... The flight training shall include... 2 hours solo flight time, including a minimum of 20 takeoffs and 20 landings.”
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😂🤣 Who writes on the application, "I have 20 takeoffs, but only 19 landings. Abseiling from that tree was a doozy!"
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Time for a timeline cleanser!
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[ Feliĉo Estas ... ]
Krozante ĉirkaŭ la kurbo sur pisto, kiu ekster la vintra sezono estas simpla arbara vojo sur la monto, kiu ligas kelkajn malproksimajn bienojn.
~glitado~
\eZ
#miksang #dailypic #aphotoaday
#Esperanto #photography #photo
#skibum #memoriesofwinter #wintermemories #winter #mountains #alps #alpine #ski #sking #snow #freshsnow #freshsnowfall #cruising #gliding -
A very welcome vista after weeks of too much screen time.
#photography #flight #gliding #soaring #avgeek #sky #york #silentSunday
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Bad weather beaten! Exciting sortie that was meant to be 3 minutes @ 1,500ft turning into a 25 minute 3,000ft climb followed by an "expedited" descent back to Earth to avoid the showers. So good to be back aloft again since January.
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Gliding Like a Grasshopper
Many biorobots are built after flies and bees–insects that rely heavily on flapping flight. For small robots, this means carrying heavy batteries or remaining tethered in order to power their motors. Instead, researchers have turned to grasshoppers for a lesson in small-scale gliding.
Grasshoppers have two sets of wings. The forward set provide protection and camouflage, while the hindwings are used to fly. The team studied the corrugated, foldable hindwings of the American grasshopper, then 3D-printed model wing designs and attached them to gliders. They found that the corrugated wings performed well at low angles of attack, but that non-corrugated wings–which still shared the outline and camber of the insect’s wings–were more efficient gliders over a range of conditions.
The team hopes that their grasshopper-inspired gliders give insect-like biorobots more efficient flying options. (Image credit: Princeton/S. Khan/Fotobuddy; research credit: K. Lee et al.; via Physics World)
#biology #biorobotics #fluidDynamics #gliding #insectFlight #insects #physics #science -
I sometimes think the nicest part of any great flying day is actually when I get back home, to the comfort of my desk, and can reflect properly on the aerial adventures had.
#aviation #flight #soaring #gliding #photography #sky #clouds #silentSunday
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Three Xmas achievements - first time driving a tractor(!), first time flying Alpha Foxtrot, in wonderfully quiet and smooth conditions, and after two months am now solo again on aerotow #gliding #aviation #pilot #christmas #silentSunday
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@KrajciTom @Aut @ikluft
If you decide you need about 16lb of ballast in the nose, and also some kind of blank-firing bird-scarer, I believe there are options...