Mandakalli is the place that I had my first flying experience - in a glider - as a civilian. I was working with a dealer of wireless equipment and we had gone to make a trial for the NCC Air wing in 1999-2000. As a courtesy, we were allowed to fly in the right hand seat (I understand that this seat is for the Co-pilot) of the glider with Instructor Mr. Chandran (I forget the designation and have hence left it out) flying. WHAT AN EXPERIENCE IT WAS.
The very concept of making the aeroplane move with a wire rope pulled by a winch was unconvincing - at least until I saw it first hand. Before the glider moved 100 feet on the ground, we were airborne. And what was I doing? The rush of air, the high speed movement jerked from a standstill position and the very excitement of the very first flight took my breath away - PRACTICALLY. I had one hand on the side of the cockpit - the other hand bracing the front of the control panel - which had just 2 or 3 dials - as if I would be blown away if I did not hold on! I was actually locked into the seatbelt which was so secure that I could not even twitch on the seat!
Next was the emptiness I felt in the stomach suddenly - as the draw rope was released - starting the free flight. I felt as if I had come to a halt in mid-air – for a fraction of a second. I was informed by Mr. Chandran that we were 800 ft above ground. 800 feet above ground?! I had never been that high before!! It was then that I had the feel of flying.
Looking down, I saw a narrow road winding its way. I saw toy cars, Lorries and busses moving – at least that was how I felt! Even from a comparably low height of 800 feet that is how every thing looked. I was able to see most parts of Mysore. The Chamundi Hills looked odd. I had always looked up at it. Now I could look at the entire hill range with my eyes level – to the glider not to the ground. I could see people look up at the glider as it made a couple of turns – slowly probably for my good, being inexperienced. We were in the air for a couple of minutes – probably five at the most. I was too occupied to time the duration of the flight.
Then all of a sudden I felt the rush of air against my face and the pressure against my stomach. We had started to descend. So it was back to my posture – left hand gripping the front panel, right hand gripping the side (remember I was sitting on the right hand side seat). Then all of a sudden the sound of the air rushing past changed, as Mr. Chandran pulled a lever. The speed of the glider reduced. I was wondering as to what made the speed change. In my College, we had been given a brief explanation of aero-dynamics and the effect of the design of the wing – how the aircraft went high or came down. They had not given us an explanation as to what was used in aircrafts to reduce speed – especially when there was no Engine!! I learnt a lesson in Physics that evening – it was around 5.00 PM when I was taken up in the air.
Casually looking to the side, I got a shock. I saw a pair of wooden pieces about 2 inch wide by 2 or 3 feet in length that had popped out on top and bottom of the wings. They were working as brakes!! Obstructing the flow of air both on top and bottom of the wings – imagine 4 pieces of wood stopping a aircraft!! But stop, it did!! With a bump and a jerk and a wobble, we landed just a few feet away from the hangar – mine was the last flight for the day.
Year later, in 2005, my brother-in-law from the USA, had arranged to take a few of us on a holiday to Delhi – Jaipur – Agra with the onward and return travel by flight through Indian Airlines and Air Sahara respectively. It was not even a fraction as exciting as the “FIRST FLIGHT” – travel in a enclosed aircraft made it very dull. Added to that was that the weather outside was totally overcast – it being July.
The glider flight experience was a true “FIRST FLIGHT” experience that will not fade out fast.
The very concept of making the aeroplane move with a wire rope pulled by a winch was unconvincing - at least until I saw it first hand. Before the glider moved 100 feet on the ground, we were airborne. And what was I doing? The rush of air, the high speed movement jerked from a standstill position and the very excitement of the very first flight took my breath away - PRACTICALLY. I had one hand on the side of the cockpit - the other hand bracing the front of the control panel - which had just 2 or 3 dials - as if I would be blown away if I did not hold on! I was actually locked into the seatbelt which was so secure that I could not even twitch on the seat!
Next was the emptiness I felt in the stomach suddenly - as the draw rope was released - starting the free flight. I felt as if I had come to a halt in mid-air – for a fraction of a second. I was informed by Mr. Chandran that we were 800 ft above ground. 800 feet above ground?! I had never been that high before!! It was then that I had the feel of flying.
Looking down, I saw a narrow road winding its way. I saw toy cars, Lorries and busses moving – at least that was how I felt! Even from a comparably low height of 800 feet that is how every thing looked. I was able to see most parts of Mysore. The Chamundi Hills looked odd. I had always looked up at it. Now I could look at the entire hill range with my eyes level – to the glider not to the ground. I could see people look up at the glider as it made a couple of turns – slowly probably for my good, being inexperienced. We were in the air for a couple of minutes – probably five at the most. I was too occupied to time the duration of the flight.
Then all of a sudden I felt the rush of air against my face and the pressure against my stomach. We had started to descend. So it was back to my posture – left hand gripping the front panel, right hand gripping the side (remember I was sitting on the right hand side seat). Then all of a sudden the sound of the air rushing past changed, as Mr. Chandran pulled a lever. The speed of the glider reduced. I was wondering as to what made the speed change. In my College, we had been given a brief explanation of aero-dynamics and the effect of the design of the wing – how the aircraft went high or came down. They had not given us an explanation as to what was used in aircrafts to reduce speed – especially when there was no Engine!! I learnt a lesson in Physics that evening – it was around 5.00 PM when I was taken up in the air.
Casually looking to the side, I got a shock. I saw a pair of wooden pieces about 2 inch wide by 2 or 3 feet in length that had popped out on top and bottom of the wings. They were working as brakes!! Obstructing the flow of air both on top and bottom of the wings – imagine 4 pieces of wood stopping a aircraft!! But stop, it did!! With a bump and a jerk and a wobble, we landed just a few feet away from the hangar – mine was the last flight for the day.
Year later, in 2005, my brother-in-law from the USA, had arranged to take a few of us on a holiday to Delhi – Jaipur – Agra with the onward and return travel by flight through Indian Airlines and Air Sahara respectively. It was not even a fraction as exciting as the “FIRST FLIGHT” – travel in a enclosed aircraft made it very dull. Added to that was that the weather outside was totally overcast – it being July.
The glider flight experience was a true “FIRST FLIGHT” experience that will not fade out fast.
