This Glider was a Secret SPY PLANE - Mountain Flight
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- Опубліковано 6 сер 2021
- A close look at a rare, classic, vintage, warbird, 3 person sailplane known as the Schweizer 2-32. We stop by Mile High Gliding in Boulder, Colorado to take a look at the sailplane operations. We also admire their towplane, the Piper Pawnee 235. This beast has a 250 hp Lycoming io-540 which can handle the high density altitude of the Boulder Municipal Airport.
The Schweizer 2-32 actually spent time in Vietnam as a powered reconnaissance airplane. It now gives amazing rides with mountain views as a flying warbird museum piece.
The Pawnee attaches the tow rope to the glider and only has less than 2000 feet of runway to take off. This airplane is a powerhouse with its Hoffman 4-bladed propeller. It would make a perfect STOL aircraft.
After being towed in the air, we fly around the mountains to search for mountain and thermal lift. After that, we head back to the airport to land on the skinniest runway I've ever seen.
At the end of the video, enjoy some plane spotting footage of a Piper Cub, trike ultralight, Piper Pawnee, and Schweizer 2-33 glider.
FloridaFlying SHIRTS!
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Mile High Gliding
www.milehighgliding.com - Авто та транспорт
On more tidbit about N2472W, the 2-32 you flew in. After 2 tours and 300 hours of combat flying in Viet Nam as the QT-2PC Quiet Observation Aircraft, it and the other QT-2PC (N2471W) were both retired to the Navy Test Pilot School at NAS Patuxent River as the X-26B. So you not only flew a bona fide Viet Nam era warbird, but an actual X-Plane as well. 72W was subsequently used as parts to keep 71W flying, and eventually was sold as surplus in the late 1980's to Bruce Miller of Cloud Base, the original glider operation at Boulder, who then re-converted it back to 2-32 configuration. It has been flying here ever since.
Oh wow, that is so cool!! Thank you so much for sharing more about its history. That is one of the many things I love about aviation.
Thanks for the background. Bruce was my instructor and friend.
In 1988, my ex wife and I went to Dillingham airfield on the North shore of Oahu. We went up in a Schweitzer 233, ridge line soared for 45 minutes. The views were amazing, it was smooth because of no thermals and one of the coolest things I have ever experienced. At that time, I had 12,000 hours as a professional airline pilot.
Your videos have reignited my passion for flying. When I joined the service I wanted to fly choppers but couldn't because I wore glasses. Now at 57 I would love to learn to fly. Thank you.
This means a lot to me. I’m so happy they have brought some inspiration to you. Thank you. And go for it!
I took a few rides in a 2-32 in Fremont CA back in the early 70s while learning to fly gliders. A great glider and a super dating event..
I towed one on a trailer to a place near Elmira NY for reconditioning. I then towed it back to Sterling Ma for a customer. Got a ride in it to Sugarbush Vt where it was kept. It was a great ride.
I am a former glider and tow pilot. And used to run a glider operation in Taos NM. And yes Virginia, towing gliders can be as dangerous or more dangerous than crop dusting. Ask me how I know. Actually don't ask just take my word for it.
Now that I'm older, I realize how many nuts there are in the population. I'm even suspicious of myself sometimes. I would never tow anyone.
@@DumbledoreMcCracken the real and fortunately the rare danger is the nutcase who thinks he/she is a glider god and can do no wrong on tow. One of my worst situations as a tow pilot.
Beautiful footage! Thank you for sharing!
I used to fly 2-32's back in the 60's at the old El Mirage field run by the Breigleb's. It was one of my favorite 2-place gliders . I never tried cramming 2 people in the back seat, however. I liked it because it was relatively heavy and high performance at the time. It used to hold some speed/distance records. This brought back some interesting memories.
I live in Denver and didn't even know about this. I'm booking a flight immediately. Thanks. and nice video too.
Sailplanes are cool, you need to make a journey to Tehachapi California to see some incredible classics!
Enjoyed the video and beautiful scenery. I flew a glider one time when getting ready for my flight test many years ago my instructor pulled the engine on the C152 while we were in the pattern. Made the landing and was a cool experience.
#303👍😀Sail plane looks wonderful. A powered version can be a great quiet cross country machine!!
ERAU 80 CFIA&I ret.
Great Video! Thanks!
Hey man, I was that guy at the Orlando City game that said hi to you and your brother earlier tonight.
The father of an acquaintance of mine in high school used to fly gliders out of Minden Nevada. He sailed over 35k ASL on several occasions. On his last flight at over 40k, he ran out of oxygen and had to be talked down by ground control.
All flying is awesome.
As I see it, the only real disadvantage of a sailplane is that you can't call a missed approach and go around.
At Long Mynd in Shropshire, England, You can do a ' touch and go ' . It's a amazing ridge site .
I like when the props are efficient but loud
I wish i could be there for it
Since 1971 I think soaring is cool .
yes they are cool! just a bit more to go to solo...
'The Lockheed U-2 Dragon Lady of the civilian market'?
Haha, yeah that’s a good way to put it
I rode in one of those.
No brake on wheel? Just coast to stop?
If a plane tows two or more gliders at once, it's a flying train!
No airbrakes ?
That background sound was terrible!
Background sound/music kinda annoying
I would never fly in a 2-32. One of many I am not a fan of.
What do you dislike about the 2-32? I’m not too well versed on sailplanes
@@FloridaFlying don't spin one, ever
@@DumbledoreMcCracken Sounds like you need to come up to Boulder and do some Spin Training in the 2-32. Yes, they have a nasty reputation for spin problems, but once you understand what's going on with the 2-32, it is very predictable and manageable. Surprise is the enemy, training is the solution.
@@amckenna22 I already have in Oahu, but I didn't do the recovery. Did some loops though. I don't like the dragon lady.
I'm happy to spin a Champ.