Kristian, thank you very much. . Sharing this video is a true wonder of TH-cam. If you ever come to Toronto, your beer is on me. . You were obviously having so much fun whipping in and around the clouds. You have inspired me, I have been researching petitioning our local authorities to find out if this could be done here - at least in some parts of Canada. Or if we can get temporary permission. First things first, I'd love to get an experience and some training and then of course (if the authorities would be open to it) I'd get the instrument upgrade. . Again thank you - this is very appreciated.
@@krasw Yeah I could see the reflection on your little mirror. But hey the video came out fantastic. Which reminds me - do yo have a motor in the back? . I know of a few local glider pilots who carry a transponder and they radio in asking permission to cross class C and class D airspace - and get their permission (ie: our authorities can be accommodating to us). I wonder if the authorities would be open to the idea that if we carry a transponder (broadcasting altitude) if we could do cloud flying in class G. The reason this may be possible is that with a transponder, IFR planes can see us, but why it is material to us is that cloud base is normally a mere 5,000ft and most airspace around me has no Class B, meaning we could in theory go right up to 18,000 ft or as high as the clouds go. On a blue thermal day I can go up to 18,000 (in theory). There is a lot of altitude gain and hence more cross country distance we are missing out on (not to mention fun in the clouds). . Maybe as an experiment - I would like to apply for a certain 'zone' to be temporarily designated class F for gliders only and allow us to do cloud flying (with transponders). . I'd like to ask you more about the details of your local regulations and how there is the exception for cloud gliding. . Lastly - I should tell you, at home, I have a very large screen and to sit back and watch your long video is a treat for me. So thank you again.
To be honest, it depends totally how your authorities view cloud flying. It does not help if you have instruments, xponder and G-airspace, they might just give blanket response "no", sadly. You might find this article interesting, it is about initiative to allow cloud flying in Germany few years ago: www.aerokurier.de/segelflug/wolkenflug-aus-freien-stuecken-ohne-sicht/ (use browser translate if you do not read german) What is most appalling, there was a lot of german glider pilots who were against this. You can actually read them preaching dangers of cloud flying in the article, without any experience of cloud flying, at least with modern glider/instruments. I think it went nowhere after that. For common glider pilots, I can only say that luckily they do not know what they are missing. @@markplain2555
To answer you other question, possibility of cloud flying is very much written into EU regulations, it was lobbied to EASA because it was so common in many countries (UK above all). So it is not an exception to allow it, it is an exception to prohibit it.
Amazing! I thought I was the only one crazy. In South Africa, I once had to dial 5800 to return to the airfield through a zone with no weather. In 15 minutes the cloud went from small and gentle to thunderous. Came out of the flow at 10 m/s. There was icing when leaving the cloud. It is surprising to find it at 35 degrees near the surface of the earth.
Started gliding and power flying both on 'wood and fabric" machines 56 years ago. Gliding is still my preferred form of aeronautical activity Hopping in,out and around clouds is really great but best in gliders. Still flying and gliding. John.FAI/BGA 51417 25/08/1968.
This ice would make me so worried, but seems like you're OK with it 14:05. Amazing video - thanks for inspiration. Cloud flying been my dream since childhood, will definitely want to (slowly) progress towards "cloud flying" once I finish school
What a treat to be able to fly with you through the heavens - it’s like a dream! If you ever decide you want a soundtrack I can recommend the track Hiding In The Clouds on the album Terrene by LAUGE & AES DANA. Album available from Ultimae records.
Hi, I have a separate zone in Poland for glider cloud flights. I also conduct training in such flights, very cool but demanding flying. I have been flying since 1981 and have flown 15,500 hours in gliders so far.
Nice to hear from fellow cloud flyers, Zbigniew. Greetings to Poland! Agree that it is demanding, but little bit less so with modern artificial horizon.
Performance suffers obviously very much, but glider flies the same. Controls may stick occasionally when you exit totally wet glider into cold air around cloud. Nothing too dramatic, controls will free up when moving the stick. Thanks for you comments!
Glad to see other enjoy the white climb! I have been cloud flying since the 90's here in the states.....not really understood by many, even the FAA...buts it very legal...wrote an article in SSA many years ago on the subject....
Yes, I wanted to check that if the ice does not melt before next climb. Stall really is not so different from clean wing stall, speed is marginally higher. No big deal.
Now I'm confused on cloud rules, IFR and gliders and Nimbus up/down drafts exceeding the G-forces of a wing. EDIT: Sorry the vid was so awesome I didn't read the description and I was so moved I commented before seeing the answers the comments. Thanks. PS The nimbus thing is still scary.
Depends on airspace class, in uncontrolled (G-class) airspace there is no requirement/possibility for IFR clearance, whether you fly a glider or Airbus A380 inside the clouds.
Cloud flying is obviously done in IMC, so VMC minima do not apply. I have explained this in detail in comment section of this video: th-cam.com/video/LPTGhGwvIMU/w-d-xo.html
@@krasw I've just read up on this. As a GA pilot, I never knew this existed. It's very cool but I still think it's crazy. If I'm minding my own business, staying 1000 ft below clouds in my Cessna and suddenly a glider pops out of those clouds? that's insane.
Uncontrolled airspace can be full of GA planes in every cloud, without you knowing they are there. If you fly under clouds in VFR, you have a chance of flying with bigger separation from clouds (than minima), and of course looking out of the windscreen. In glider cloud flying we generally exit cloud from the side (up high), exiting by descending from the bottom is quite unusual and risky in areas you have a lot of (VFR) gliders. BTW we have flarms installed (sort of ADS-B) and see other gliders on traffic radar screen all the time (upper left indicator on my panel). I use also transponder, which some GA planes might see, though usually not as they universally fly with 1960's tech.@@SlosII
This is one of the most visually stunning aviation videos I've ever seen! definitely needs more views
Thanks mate, much appreciated!
@@krasw Very welcome, thanks for sharing! have fun up there :)
Great thanks for no music. Super veiw!!
Det är lite enklare med GPS-navigering att hitta ut ur molnen. Molnflygning är trevligt! Bra filmat
Kristian, thank you very much.
.
Sharing this video is a true wonder of TH-cam. If you ever come to Toronto, your beer is on me.
.
You were obviously having so much fun whipping in and around the clouds. You have inspired me, I have been researching petitioning our local authorities to find out if this could be done here - at least in some parts of Canada. Or if we can get temporary permission. First things first, I'd love to get an experience and some training and then of course (if the authorities would be open to it) I'd get the instrument upgrade.
.
Again thank you - this is very appreciated.
Thanks Mark!
BTW this was shot on my hand held S22+ phone (thus ugly left-handed flying), got to get proper action cam for next season :)
@@krasw Yeah I could see the reflection on your little mirror. But hey the video came out fantastic. Which reminds me - do yo have a motor in the back?
.
I know of a few local glider pilots who carry a transponder and they radio in asking permission to cross class C and class D airspace - and get their permission (ie: our authorities can be accommodating to us). I wonder if the authorities would be open to the idea that if we carry a transponder (broadcasting altitude) if we could do cloud flying in class G. The reason this may be possible is that with a transponder, IFR planes can see us, but why it is material to us is that cloud base is normally a mere 5,000ft and most airspace around me has no Class B, meaning we could in theory go right up to 18,000 ft or as high as the clouds go. On a blue thermal day I can go up to 18,000 (in theory). There is a lot of altitude gain and hence more cross country distance we are missing out on (not to mention fun in the clouds).
.
Maybe as an experiment - I would like to apply for a certain 'zone' to be temporarily designated class F for gliders only and allow us to do cloud flying (with transponders).
.
I'd like to ask you more about the details of your local regulations and how there is the exception for cloud gliding.
.
Lastly - I should tell you, at home, I have a very large screen and to sit back and watch your long video is a treat for me. So thank you again.
To be honest, it depends totally how your authorities view cloud flying. It does not help if you have instruments, xponder and G-airspace, they might just give blanket response "no", sadly.
You might find this article interesting, it is about initiative to allow cloud flying in Germany few years ago: www.aerokurier.de/segelflug/wolkenflug-aus-freien-stuecken-ohne-sicht/
(use browser translate if you do not read german)
What is most appalling, there was a lot of german glider pilots who were against this. You can actually read them preaching dangers of cloud flying in the article, without any experience of cloud flying, at least with modern glider/instruments. I think it went nowhere after that.
For common glider pilots, I can only say that luckily they do not know what they are missing.
@@markplain2555
To answer you other question, possibility of cloud flying is very much written into EU regulations, it was lobbied to EASA because it was so common in many countries (UK above all). So it is not an exception to allow it, it is an exception to prohibit it.
Amazing! I thought I was the only one crazy. In South Africa, I once had to dial 5800 to return to the airfield through a zone with no weather. In 15 minutes the cloud went from small and gentle to thunderous. Came out of the flow at 10 m/s.
There was icing when leaving the cloud. It is surprising to find it at 35 degrees near the surface of the earth.
Amazing ! Absolut goal in my Gliederung career
Those couds are epic!
Started gliding and power flying both on 'wood and fabric" machines 56 years ago.
Gliding is still my preferred form of aeronautical activity
Hopping in,out and around clouds is really great but best in gliders.
Still flying and gliding.
John.FAI/BGA 51417 25/08/1968.
This ice would make me so worried, but seems like you're OK with it 14:05.
Amazing video - thanks for inspiration. Cloud flying been my dream since childhood, will definitely want to (slowly) progress towards "cloud flying" once I finish school
What a treat to be able to fly with you through the heavens - it’s like a dream! If you ever decide you want a soundtrack I can recommend the track Hiding In The Clouds on the album Terrene by LAUGE & AES DANA. Album available from Ultimae records.
Hi, I have a separate zone in Poland for glider cloud flights. I also conduct training in such flights, very cool but demanding flying. I have been flying since 1981 and have flown 15,500 hours in gliders so far.
Nice to hear from fellow cloud flyers, Zbigniew. Greetings to Poland! Agree that it is demanding, but little bit less so with modern artificial horizon.
@@kraswEquipment is one thing, but the ability to fly freely in a separated and activated zone up to FL135 is a great comfort.
what are the cloud requirements in Finland?
Epic :D
Watch out for your inputs on 1:05, counter aileron on wingdrop can lead to unintentional spins.
Great video, Such a bummer that I can’t fly like this in the U.S.
Maybe one day!
Magical! @6:37
Wunderschöne Aufnahmen!!! Supi Geil
Imagine if he had such an epic flight but you forgot to charge your camera batteries
have you ever had you pitot tube ice up completely?
Yes it happens when climbing to icing temperature. I have dual pitot probes, so it is not a problem.
Amazing!!!
Thanks!!
...this video is incredible! Thanks for sharing. The ice on the wings looks very scary! Did you feel a difference in performance and controls?
Performance suffers obviously very much, but glider flies the same. Controls may stick occasionally when you exit totally wet glider into cold air around cloud. Nothing too dramatic, controls will free up when moving the stick. Thanks for you comments!
@@krasw Wow! It would make me too much worried. Thanks for your answer! 🙏😃
The glider gets ice pretty during almost every climb, so I've grown used to it.
Crazy, yes that would make me cautious like hell, good to know that this bit of ice is still on the manageable lvl. Myself in school atm
do yo have an Attitude Indicater in the glider?
Yes, my electric variometer has one, as it has full inertial sensors
Glad to see other enjoy the white climb! I have been cloud flying since the 90's here in the states.....not really understood by many, even the FAA...buts it very legal...wrote an article in SSA many years ago on the subject....
Very interesting to hear someone doing this also in US. You have IFR glider?
@@krasw Yes thats me....
@@krasw Let me clarify, that is not me in the video...but I have been cloud flying in the USA for over 25+ yrs
@@Nick-cd4kd That is just wonderful, you are first US pilot I'm aware of doing cloud flying!
Must be a beautiful experience
you are living my dreams.....
Gliders can do IFR?
Pls read video description for info
@@kraswthanks
Parabéns de um voo lindo - Brasil
what instrument are you using as you attitude reference
Turn & bank is primary, non-cert horizon as an additional instrumet
Looked like rough icing on your leading edges. Scary shit. Was that why you tested the stall speed?
Yes, I wanted to check that if the ice does not melt before next climb. Stall really is not so different from clean wing stall, speed is marginally higher. No big deal.
That's epic how do you enter the clouds? Wave or just thermals?
We fly thermals inside clouds
@@krasw nice
Amazing IFR glidining
What did you do to your yaw string? For half the video it doesn’t move at all like it is being held down
It gets wet in cloud and then freezes. I need a heated yaw string!
@@krasw ha!!! I never even thought of that. It made you look like a super star. Perfectly coordinated turns all the time.
Now I'm confused on cloud rules, IFR and gliders and Nimbus up/down drafts exceeding the G-forces of a wing.
EDIT: Sorry the vid was so awesome I didn't read the description and I was so moved I commented before seeing the answers the comments.
Thanks.
PS
The nimbus thing is still scary.
We do not fly in cb clouds, these are mostly towering cu that are generally very benign in our cold climate.
So, do they have to file for an IFR clearance to fly that-a-way?
Depends on airspace class, in uncontrolled (G-class) airspace there is no requirement/possibility for IFR clearance, whether you fly a glider or Airbus A380 inside the clouds.
WOW......😎💪💪
I saw Ice on the wing leading edges???!
Yes we get that all the time.
@@krasw I never knew that also happens to these gliders. Is it a problem? Weight/Aerodynamics?
@@steffanjansenvanvuuren3257 Performance goes down the toilet for a while, but it melts usually below cloudbase
@@krasw Still an amazing flight...
WOW !!!
I think some parts could be not legal. Are you IFR-equiped?
Cloud flying is done in IMC, please check the FAQ.
I think you should not fly in cumulus clouds, because they have strong turbulence inside of them, because of the strong updraft wind inside of them 😮
I flew inside cloud and climbed to altitude, where this video was shot. Strong updraft is what makes gliding possible.
Do the VFR rules not apply to gliders? 1000 ft vertical separation from cloud and 1500m horizontal separation?
Cloud flying is obviously done in IMC, so VMC minima do not apply. I have explained this in detail in comment section of this video: th-cam.com/video/LPTGhGwvIMU/w-d-xo.html
@@krasw I've just read up on this. As a GA pilot, I never knew this existed. It's very cool but I still think it's crazy. If I'm minding my own business, staying 1000 ft below clouds in my Cessna and suddenly a glider pops out of those clouds? that's insane.
Uncontrolled airspace can be full of GA planes in every cloud, without you knowing they are there. If you fly under clouds in VFR, you have a chance of flying with bigger separation from clouds (than minima), and of course looking out of the windscreen. In glider cloud flying we generally exit cloud from the side (up high), exiting by descending from the bottom is quite unusual and risky in areas you have a lot of (VFR) gliders. BTW we have flarms installed (sort of ADS-B) and see other gliders on traffic radar screen all the time (upper left indicator on my panel). I use also transponder, which some GA planes might see, though usually not as they universally fly with 1960's tech.@@SlosII
@@krasw Uncontrolled airspace can be full of GA planes in every cloud ? Really, I thought the whole point of VMC minima is to prevent exactly this.
@@kraswby the way, in the Czech Republic (where I’m currently flying) uncontrolled airspace (class G) is from ground to 1000 ft AGL only.
Isn't that dangerous? (Flying in the clouds...you don't know if there are other aircrafts in IFR flights and the ice forming on the wings ?)
It isn't, ifr planes do not generally fly in uncontrolled airspace and ice melts away when descending to lower altitude
If no IFR and no other VFR traffic…
OMG
Risky flying for views.