Ben Hirashima
Ben Hirashima
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How to fly 1000km in a glider
What does it take to fly 1000km in a glider? In this video, I break down what it took to achieve this long-standing goal of mine.
Discover what flying sailplanes is really like. This is the story of a full glider flight, from take-off to landing, shown in time-lapse. It includes voice-over commentary, 3D visualizations, instrument overlays, statistical overlays, 360 video, and post-flight analysis.
Flight trace: www.weglide.org/flight/438062
3D visualization: www.sportstracklive.com/en/track/map/benhirashima/gliding/disc-golf-course-cal-fire-northern-region-truckee/1047659/?mode=3DLearn to fly gliders! www.ssa.org/learn-to-soar
Переглядів: 355 432

Відео

Gliding under massive OD at sunset #FullGliderFlight
Переглядів 4,8 тис.3 місяці тому
On a strong day out of Minden, Philip and I get stuck in some massive over-development. Discover what flying sailplanes is really like. This is the story of a full glider flight, from take-off to landing, shown in time-lapse. It includes voice-over commentary, 3D visualizations, instrument overlays, statistical overlays, 360 video, and post-flight analysis. Flight trace: www.weglide.org/flight/...
Travel by glider part 2 - Speed is everything #FullGliderFlight
Переглядів 6 тис.4 місяці тому
This is part 2 of a travel-by-glider adventure. In the first part, we flew from Hollister to Warner Springs, in California. Now, we'll attempt to fly back the next day. Discover what flying sailplanes is really like. This is the story of a full glider flight, from take-off to landing, shown in time-lapse. It includes voice-over commentary, 3D visualizations, instrument overlays, statistical ove...
Travel by glider - Blocked by rain #FullGliderFlight
Переглядів 3,8 тис.5 місяців тому
My friends and I went on a travel-by-glider adventure. We flew from Hollister to Warner Springs, in California. The next day, we'll attempt to fly back. Discover what flying sailplanes is really like. This is the story of a full glider flight, from take-off to landing, shown in time-lapse. It includes voice-over commentary, 3D visualizations, instrument overlays, statistical overlays, 360 video...
Glider climbing like a rocket in wave lift
Переглядів 6 тис.7 місяців тому
This was the strongest wave I've ever flown in my glider. There were no clouds, so I had to rely on the forecast to find the lift. I faced a extremely strong headwind on the way home. Discover what flying sailplanes is really like. This is the story of a full glider flight, from take-off to landing, shown in time-lapse. It includes voice-over commentary, 3D visualizations, instrument overlays, ...
Crazy Mountain Wave: Flying my glider at redline and still going up #FullGliderFlight
Переглядів 315 тис.8 місяців тому
What do you do when you're flying your glider at redline, and the wave is so strong, it's about to push you into class A? Join me on this winter wave flight to find out. Discover what flying sailplanes is really like. This is the story of a full glider flight, from take-off to landing, shown in time-lapse. It includes voice-over commentary, 3D visualizations, instrument overlays, statistical ov...
Bad idea to squeeze between airspaces in a glider?
Переглядів 3,4 тис.9 місяців тому
I had a ton of fun in my glider "team flying" with friends. We chose a route that required us to thread the needle between two airspaces to make it home. Was that a bad idea? Discover what gliding is really like. This is the story of a full glider flight, from take-off to landing, shown in time-lapse. It includes voice-over commentary, 3D visualizations, instrument overlays, statistical overlay...
My most spectacular gliding clips from 2023
Переглядів 2,5 тис.11 місяців тому
This is a compilation of my most spectacular gliding footage from 2023. The glider is an LS6c. Enjoy!
The FAA called me! Did I bust class A airspace in my glider?
Переглядів 278 тис.11 місяців тому
I got a call from the FAA about one of my gliding videos. They said it looked like I illegally flew my glider above 18,000 feet, in class A airspace. Hit play to find out what happened next. The video in question: ua-cam.com/video/mV-O8CRF6tk/v-deo.html WeGlide flight trace: www.weglide.org/flight/307879 3D visualization: www.sportstracklive.com/en/scene/c00d0b20-6a12-41f9-9837-8d91ed73c72f/ #g...
A fight for survival: 2023 Dust Devil Dash glider contest #FullGliderFlight
Переглядів 8 тис.Рік тому
I flew in a gliding contest called the Dust Devil Dash, where the longest straight-out flight wins, and pilots can fly in any direction they like. It was a challenging but epic flight. Did I win? Discover what flying sailplanes is really like. This is the story of a full glider flight, from take-off to landing, shown in time-lapse. It includes voice-over commentary, 3D visualizations, instrumen...
Pure frustration: The mental game of gliding #FullGliderFlight
Переглядів 11 тис.Рік тому
The weather wasn't what it was supposed to be, and I struggled to get started on this glider flight. The low points and failed attempts were demoralizing. How did I deal with these setbacks? Glide Aperion has a video from the same day. Check it out: ua-cam.com/video/1ar4Kke_tKM/v-deo.htmlsi=NWzw8nQTpCfmGSyF Discover what flying sailplanes is really like. This is the story of a full glider fligh...
Gliding through rain, hail, and a sudden change in the weather #FullGliderFlight
Переглядів 10 тис.Рік тому
Gliding through rain, hail, and a sudden change in the weather #FullGliderFlight
Glider flying over the coast at Big Sur, California #360GliderVideo
Переглядів 601Рік тому
Glider flying over the coast at Big Sur, California #360GliderVideo
Sailplane gliding under puffy clouds in time-lapse
Переглядів 1,3 тис.Рік тому
Sailplane gliding under puffy clouds in time-lapse
Glider pilot runs out of oxygen on 900km flight #FullGliderFlight
Переглядів 15 тис.Рік тому
Glider pilot runs out of oxygen on 900km flight #FullGliderFlight
Getting nervous flying my glider low #FullGliderFlight
Переглядів 1,8 тис.Рік тому
Getting nervous flying my glider low #FullGliderFlight
Two gliders race head-to-head above the desert #FullGliderFlight
Переглядів 3,1 тис.Рік тому
Two gliders race head-to-head above the desert #FullGliderFlight
Sketchy glider tow after landing out
Переглядів 2,2 тис.Рік тому
Sketchy glider tow after landing out
Glider flying epic cloud streets in the Sierra Nevada #FullGliderFlight
Переглядів 2,6 тис.Рік тому
Glider flying epic cloud streets in the Sierra Nevada #FullGliderFlight
Scary final glide: Will I clear the ridge? #FullGliderFlight
Переглядів 9 тис.Рік тому
Scary final glide: Will I clear the ridge? #FullGliderFlight
Thermal Camp 2016 #glider #gliding #soaring #sailplane
Переглядів 341Рік тому
Thermal Camp 2016 #glider #gliding #soaring #sailplane
Panoche Gliderpalooza 2016 #glider #gliding #soaring #sailplane
Переглядів 321Рік тому
Panoche Gliderpalooza 2016 #glider #gliding #soaring #sailplane
Glider Wave Flight at Panoche #glider #gliding #soaring #sailplane
Переглядів 2515 років тому
Glider Wave Flight at Panoche #glider #gliding #soaring #sailplane
Panoche Gliderpalooza 2018 #glider #gliding #soaring #sailplane
Переглядів 2556 років тому
Panoche Gliderpalooza 2018 #glider #gliding #soaring #sailplane
Soaring over Mt Whitney and Tulainyo Lake in a glider
Переглядів 4096 років тому
Soaring over Mt Whitney and Tulainyo Lake in a glider
Glider has close encounter with a hawk in a thermal
Переглядів 6177 років тому
Glider has close encounter with a hawk in a thermal
Spectacular views gliding over the Uinta Mountains in Utah
Переглядів 1 тис.7 років тому
Spectacular views gliding over the Uinta Mountains in Utah
Time lapse of lenticular clouds over San Francisco at sunset
Переглядів 2188 років тому
Time lapse of lenticular clouds over San Francisco at sunset
Time lapse clouds at CVH
Переглядів 1318 років тому
Time lapse clouds at CVH
Denali Glacier Landing
Переглядів 32310 років тому
Denali Glacier Landing

КОМЕНТАРІ

  • @nicki8731
    @nicki8731 День тому

    What 360 camera do you use? the quality is really good!

    • @BenHirashima
      @BenHirashima 21 годину тому

      It's an Insta360 X3

    • @nicki8731
      @nicki8731 21 годину тому

      @@BenHirashima thank you!

  • @Hippida
    @Hippida День тому

    Congrats on your achievement, looks like an enjoyable hobby, and great friends help too

  • @tor-WX
    @tor-WX День тому

    wow, seeing clouds from in the air like that is amazing

  • @natesturm448
    @natesturm448 День тому

    "For some reason, my camera stopped recording" That's code for "I turned it off and said Class A here I come"

  • @Backswell
    @Backswell День тому

    What is the name of this vehicle

  • @Backswell
    @Backswell День тому

    That’s the craziest fuckin vehicle I’ve ever seen

  • @crystaldbj
    @crystaldbj 3 дні тому

    Awsome! Thanks for this fantastic time lapse of your wave flight!!

  • @socalicofriendsfishing9705
    @socalicofriendsfishing9705 3 дні тому

    I grew up flying RC gliders out at Torrey Pines glider port, and of course all of that flying is flying along the coast so seeing this brought back find memories of flying as a kid. Are you able to pull updrafts off the hilltops along the coast like we could with RC or is it completely different at that altitude? I’ve always wanted my pilots license, and my way of thinking is that with my experience flying both RC gliders, powered 3D flight, that it wouldn’t be too much different aside of having a difference in controls, it’s essentially the same, kind of.

    • @BenHirashima
      @BenHirashima 2 дні тому

      I used to fly RC gliders too. I definitely think it helped me when learning to fly full scale gliders. To answer your question, yes we can use ridge lift (called slope in RC).

  • @socalicofriendsfishing9705
    @socalicofriendsfishing9705 3 дні тому

    This was so cool to watch, I never knew about flying in a group and the benefits it can have, as well as how much fun it could be, thanks for the awesome video!

  • @socalicofriendsfishing9705
    @socalicofriendsfishing9705 3 дні тому

    Hahaha a counciling session huh, that’s hilarious.

  • @SloanMosley
    @SloanMosley 4 дні тому

    I wonder if you can add solan panels to the wings and fuselage, a small electric prop, and no battery to boost flight time?

    • @BenHirashima
      @BenHirashima 2 дні тому

      It has been done, but so far only as a one-off prototype. Google "Sun Seeker Duo".

  • @sammcj2000
    @sammcj2000 4 дні тому

    I read this as 1000KM/h in a glider and was like WTF!

  • @thatdogegamer123
    @thatdogegamer123 4 дні тому

    how much does your glider cost?

  • @dad_jokes_4ever226
    @dad_jokes_4ever226 5 днів тому

    Fly a 10km loop 100 times

  • @Abhinay_Limbu
    @Abhinay_Limbu 5 днів тому

    how do you know where to spin?

  • @bravoecho64
    @bravoecho64 5 днів тому

    Congratulations !!! This reminds me of a flight when I was about about to outland in the spanish side of Pyrenees and finally found ridges and thermals that allowed me to cross the boarder again at ... 08:00PM and safely land back home. Once again a really nicely done and inspiring video.

  • @tito9107
    @tito9107 5 днів тому

    I would have immediately done the biggest stretch of my life after getting out.

  • @amjadabukeer2018
    @amjadabukeer2018 5 днів тому

    see the earth is flat

  • @leokisel1561
    @leokisel1561 6 днів тому

    are you pleasant green? you have the same voice

  • @Net4rc
    @Net4rc 6 днів тому

    Honestly i thought he was in a capsule on a windmill on the thumbnail 🤣

  • @jacobdanielkuiper5744
    @jacobdanielkuiper5744 7 днів тому

    How about oxygen? If you did not live @ 4400 ft you would pass out at 18000!

  • @diamassserum2107
    @diamassserum2107 7 днів тому

    what is that water tail in the end of a video ?

    • @BenHirashima
      @BenHirashima 7 днів тому

      That's the water ballast being dumped. Gliders carry water for extra weight, then dump it before landing. I'll spare you the technical reasons, but it helps the glider fly faster.

  • @randalljames4456
    @randalljames4456 7 днів тому

    Awesome video, but as a person who has just heard of gliding through this video, I would have liked to see footage of at least one climb, because that fascinated me, but you kept cutting to the graphic. Still phenomenal, thanks for sharing!

    • @BenHirashima
      @BenHirashima 7 днів тому

      Perhaps I'll show just the beginning of the climb in the future. Seeing the whole thing would bore you, and maybe make you dizzy.

    • @randalljames4456
      @randalljames4456 6 днів тому

      @@BenHirashima haha yes it does look like a lot of loops but I'm very interested in learning how you gain altitude using clouds

  • @MrTalkingzero
    @MrTalkingzero 7 днів тому

    I am fascinated by the fact that you call breaking distance records milestones while measuring them in kilometers.

    • @BenHirashima
      @BenHirashima 7 днів тому

      The sport was born in Europe, so the milestones are metric

  • @FJ-gk3jb
    @FJ-gk3jb 7 днів тому

    I've watched all your videos and now I'm watching some of them for the second time. Your videos are amazing! Thank you for narrating. I've considered soaring before, I'm currently a PPG pilot. I didn't think soaring was for me but after watching your videos I've reconsidered. I found a local soaring club in MI and will be going up for my 1st instructional flight as soon as they open in the spring. Your adventures are truly inspiring. Fly safe and keep up the great work!

    • @BenHirashima
      @BenHirashima 7 днів тому

      That's great to hear! Come join us in the skies. I have several friends that came to the sport from paragliders. You won't regret it.

  • @atypocrat1779
    @atypocrat1779 8 днів тому

    yeah dude. stop making videos. You don't want to be the next Trent Palmer

  • @LosInTheFlesh
    @LosInTheFlesh 8 днів тому

    This guys just hanging out in the air over Nevada all day. Way too cool!

  • @alguy4577
    @alguy4577 8 днів тому

    Every time I hear an American accent now I just get depressed.

  • @StealerofAthenas
    @StealerofAthenas 9 днів тому

    How are you gaining altitude? Is there another plane that comes and assists you or does wind pick up and you catch it. How do you do it?

    • @BenHirashima
      @BenHirashima 8 днів тому

      In the very beginning, another plane tows you up, then you release the rope, and off you go. After that, you climb in thermals, which are columns of warm rising air.

  • @HamRadio200
    @HamRadio200 9 днів тому

    when you do thermal climbs, why can't you go higher so you can glide longer?

    • @BenHirashima
      @BenHirashima 8 днів тому

      In theory, you could keep climbing into the clouds, but to make a long story short, it's not legal.

  • @Nagualist
    @Nagualist 10 днів тому

    Если что-то случится, куда приземляться, если вокруг гористая местность?!

  • @Chancechancechancechancechance
    @Chancechancechancechancechance 10 днів тому

    This was so cool to watch. I'm glad my youtube algorithm showed me this. I've seen gliders not far from where I live and always assumed the trajectory would be straight down, I didn't even consider riding thermals! However I do have a question, you seem to describe clouds as helpful to gaining altitude; how exactly can clouds help you climb? I assumed they would cool the air underneath them. Congrats on 1000km!

    • @BenHirashima
      @BenHirashima 10 днів тому

      The clouds are actually created by the thermals. Thermals lift warm, humid air near the surface up to altitudes where it's cold. The temperature drop causes the water in the humid air to condense, and you get a cloud.

  • @botabob
    @botabob 10 днів тому

    I was curious if you needed O2 at those altitudes. Your outro answered my question. Enjoy The Journey - Cheers

  • @mikeblackford994
    @mikeblackford994 10 днів тому

    WOW! INCREDIBLE! I've been a private pilot since age 25. 75 now. I've always said real pilots fly gliders.

  • @saif8409
    @saif8409 10 днів тому

    how do u pee in middle of the long flight session ?😅😅

  • @danieI.999
    @danieI.999 11 днів тому

    this is cool

  • @AEolchb
    @AEolchb 11 днів тому

    Might have been feeling very relaxed on the sky with a pleasant view around you. I wish I had the chance to fly almost endlessly at some point in my life.

  • @robbeepaez6773
    @robbeepaez6773 11 днів тому

    hey i work at this tower! no idea you guys could make it that far!

  • @det-ou9vz
    @det-ou9vz 12 днів тому

    Great channel! Does the total distance include the circling?

    • @BenHirashima
      @BenHirashima 11 днів тому

      No, circling isn't counted. The flight is divided into 6 straight-line legs and they are added up to get the distance.

    • @det-ou9vz
      @det-ou9vz 11 днів тому

      @@BenHirashima Good to know, thanks!

  • @jaywilliams6503
    @jaywilliams6503 12 днів тому

    You got balls. I'm sure you felt that adrenaline for days.

  • @scott01clay74
    @scott01clay74 12 днів тому

    Welcome to UA-cam this seems innocent but this a toxic breeding ground For trouble makers There tons of people that literally are so Miserable They want everyone to be as miserable as them

  • @db8erfreak
    @db8erfreak 12 днів тому

    Stupid question from a non-pilot: Do you have to enter a flight plan / ask ATC if you can go a particular place?

    • @BenHirashima
      @BenHirashima 12 днів тому

      As a glider pilot, not usually. Only if you're in controlled airspace, like around a large airport.

  • @theDayOfAccount
    @theDayOfAccount 12 днів тому

    How do you know you are in a thermal that you can climb?

    • @BenHirashima
      @BenHirashima 12 днів тому

      An instrument called a vario tells you if you're going up or down. If you're going up, you circle. That's an oversimplification, but that's the general idea.

  • @clickbait9125
    @clickbait9125 12 днів тому

    how do you hold your bladder for that long?

  • @sloppyy
    @sloppyy 12 днів тому

    i didn't even know gliders were a thing 30 minutes ago and now i know you just gotta look for clouds and do lil loops under them to get higher

  • @randomdude001
    @randomdude001 12 днів тому

    Ben Heroshima

  • @markm5038
    @markm5038 12 днів тому

    how do you pee?

  • @jestnutz
    @jestnutz 13 днів тому

    are you allowed to fly at night?

    • @BenHirashima
      @BenHirashima 13 днів тому

      If the glider is equipped for it (lights, etc) you can, but it's rare.

  • @rcaddiction7071
    @rcaddiction7071 13 днів тому

    Is the same FAA that keeps issuing special permits for air shows that kill pilots and bystanders every year?

  • @pppie8509
    @pppie8509 13 днів тому

    Literal coolest shit. UA-cam algorithm cooked hard on this