Sharing Baleka

[opos]

Matt..(Balleka) has produced a series of unbelievable you tube videos about his addiction of sail plane soaring in the high French alps...his regular job was a flight engineer on a freight hauler 747 and he lived for the sail plane experience....some say he was far and away the best ever...I say "was" because his addiction killed him a while back catapault launch equipment failed...but he left a legacy that is hard to beat....hope you enjoy..there are short clips, long clips, etc...but all beautiful

https://youtu.be/6RWaJNrsx_g

 

[Fox Mike]

Having taken one sail plane trip and I could easily learn to want more. No engine noise, just you and the sky.

 

[gramps]

Interesting! Back in the late 60's a buddy of mine had a Champ. He was building hours for a commercial license, and not much cash. So we would take off, go to Lookout Mtn, turn off the 65 hp engine, and fly the ridges most of the day as a glider. The Champ had a 17-1 glide ratio. Fun!
gramps

 

[bogus bill]

I have only been up in a glider once. Had a uncle that was a glider guy with the 82 nd AB in world war two. He and just one other guy lived out of 14 on his glider landing on D day. It screwed him up. I don't know why but all the glider pilots I have seen always reminded me of bird watchers. Maybe it`s those type caps they like.

 

[eveled]

Those gliders (called flying coffins) took a beating on D-day. Would have been better off with parachutes.

Even the survivors are mostly gone now, I hope they rest in peace.