This brings me back to 1975 as a youngster. First loop, wingover, solo spin. Bit like your first girlfriend.... Could land on a dime. In thermals, you could outclimb anything. Absolutely anything! Such a sweet machine! Loved it!
Yes! You're hitting nails! During off-season we had precision landing competitions and could land it on a post stamp, like I called it... The spoilers were so effective. And let's not start about how it reacted to ground effect... If you increased your speed to 140km/h instead of 100km/h on final after leveling it off (without spoilers)2m above ground level, it just kept on flying...
I learned with Oxford GC at Weston on the Green. First soloed in a K13 but first single seater was the K8 and I sent on to fly my silver distance in it and had many great flights in K8s. Fabulous for coring thermals and so light on the controls, but don't get too far downwind of the airfield chasing thermals on a breezy day!
My wife did 4 hours and 56 minutes in one. Yep, she fell down 4 short of her five hours. She was less convinced of the lovely Ka8B’s delights then. I once did two straight and level stalls in a row in one and gained 200 feet. Nicest glider you’ll ever fly. A feather has more penetration into wind, but still the nicest glider ever made to just pootle around the airfield for an hour or two.
You will love it! Be very careful while rotating, it has a tendency to balloon if you over correct for the pitch up, your instructors will definitely brief you.
GreatFlyer Went in the k8 today , had four flights and oh my god, I can’t believe still how light the glider is and how easy it is to fly. What an amazing glider for sure.
When I'd done the required solos in the K13 we had both K8 and K18. You could only fly the K8 when you had a few hours in the K18. I never did get to fly the K8 because it was always in use, everyone loved it. Congratulations on getting to fly it.
Did my required solos on the k13 yesterday and need one more check flight on it. Checked the weather and its a thermally day today!! Cant wait to finally get to keep something in the air this time with the fantastic k8 b! My mate from flightschool and i were both racing to get to this point and we cant wait to fly this magnificent aircraft! Thanks for making me even mor excited for today❤
This brings many memories when I did my first Ka8 flight after going solo in the Ka7... That was in 1990... During my first flight in it, my instructor asked through the radio:"how does it feel?" I answered it was not like you're sitting in an airplane, but it felt like I've put a backpack on and just soar... It still remains my favorite glider!
HFW was the first single seater I flew, being super light I am able to thermal her at 35 knots! She's a fantastic aircraft and my favourite K8! I remember taking her up for the first time and being able to use 2 finger on the stick. K8 and T21s are my favourite!
The three constant checks in a circuit - Angle, Attitude, Airspeed. Altimeter doesn’t enter into it. Angle to your aiming point is not too steep and not too shallow, you have the correct nose attitude for your selected circuit, and you confirm with ASI. Once you’re broken off and joined circuit, the altimeter is just a distraction, and indeed paying too much attention to it in an outlanding situation could get you killed.
AusomeOllie I disagree. Most altimeters in a glider indeed tend to lag behind. Looking outside is important, but don’t start guessing your altitude. Better safe than sorry indeed.
Must be an engineer with that wrist watch. That cotton yarn, the camera angle isn't perfect, but it's not the only reason to it waving off to the sides. Soloed in a K8 as well; loved that plane.
What a great video. I was waitig- ad not disappointed- for when you did the 2-finger flying. I've never flown an airplane- but, I've been told that all pilots will, sooner-or-later, try the 2-finger method just to see how "light" a plane feels.
Flew both many hours. Astir penetrated better but was a heavy slug with mild manners. But nothing had the lightness and nimbleness of the 8. Even flew a competition with it believe it or not. Such a joy. No worries about off field landings on a cross country. You could shoehorn this baby in any field
720 meters in a wichstart with 1200 meters of wire was my record in one of these som 35 years ago. 100 Km in 2:29 while the fiberglasses did it in 1:30 that day. Very nice in weak thermals and actually preferred it against the Ka-6CR beside the 6´er was allowed to loop 😇😁
That looks so cool! My first single seater was the LS4, I feel so spoiled now... However, I really want to try the K8. None of the clubs on our field has it, but there's a Ka6CR, which should be similar. I think they require 200 hours before touching the vintage gliders though, and I'm only about 30 hours in.
@@dannycochrane4330 Lol, I knew what you meant mate, I did my first 3 solo's in an RAF Barge then first single seat solo in a k8 then a K6, I'd need a WW2 transport glider these days though! ;)
Hey, I am a huge fan from Athens. Please, I would like to build a home cockpit just like yours. But it is hard for me to make the overhead panel. It would be appreciated if you could contact the friend that made yours to make mine as well. Thank you,
The altimeters are designed to work with engine vibrations. Because there are no vibrations in a glider, the altimeter sometimes gets stuck. A gentle tap next to (not on) the altimeter just un-sticks it.
Shame that glue failure is causing the K series to be withdrawn from service. I spent a lot of time in a K8 but now own a ASW15. I have always congratulated someone on their first solo but also told them that I will not be impressed until I see them in a single seater. So much lighter and easier. Ever wondered why most private owners only fly singles?
It was a great experience flying in a single. I do remember having to do regular checks on the glue status on the tail in K13s, there will never be a better training aircraft!
Probably because rigging a two-seater is back breaking and you need lots of friends, but it is a good point. As for the ASW15, has there ever been a prettier glider or one that is nicer to fly?
