Bucket List Experience: Motor Gliding
Last Updated on November 3, 2020 by Lina
“It’s only when you’re flying above it that you realize how incredible the Earth really is.”
Philippe Perrin
I honestly couldn’t agree more with this quote.
My first time on a plane was at the age of four when we did a family trip to Turkey. Ever since then I’ve been truly fascinated and kind of addicted by the feeling of being high up in the air.
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Last week, I ticked something off that had been on my bucket list for a very long time. It had something to do with flying but not the typical kind we all know.
A couple of years ago, my Dad learned how to fly a glider and earned his own pilot license. Just a year later, he also tried motor gliding and got his license for this type of aircraft too.
Even though I’d been to the small airfield he’s flying from a few times before, I never joined him for a flight. Until two weeks ago, when I gathered all my courage and tried motor gliding for the first time ever!
What is Motor Gliding?
Before I start writing about my experience, I think it’s interesting to know more about motor gliding and the difference to normal gliding.
Normal Gliding
Gliders or sailplanes are basically unpowered aircraft which means they don’t have an engine. To fly a glider, pilots need to use naturally occurring rising air to remain above the ground. They usually need another plane to carry them up in the air as gliders are not self-launching.
Besides standard gliding, there’s a discipline called glider aerobatics in which pilots fly specific maneuvers such as loops or barrel rolls. It’s really fascinating to watch from the ground but I would never want to actually sit in one of the gliders during these maneuvers. 😀
Motor Gliding
In contrast to sailplanes, motor glides do have engines and can be flown with or without power. Motor gliders are also often used as tow planes for normal gliders.
The cabin of motor gliders is mostly wider with two seats side by side whereas normal gliders have seats behind each other.
Pre-Flight Checks
Every time before a flight, it’s important to do certain pre-flight checks.
My Dad had done them many, many times before so he knew exactly what he needed to do. First, he opened the tank opening to see if there’s enough gasoline. In our case, there wasn’t so we had to pull the glider to the gas station. This may sound like an extraordinary act of strength but the glider weighed “only” 600 kilos.
Next, he went around the glider to have a look if there was any visible damage. Luckily, he didn’t spot anything noticeable.
Another important thing on the list of pre-flight checks was controlling the tire pressure. Even though tires are basically useless when up in the air, they’re still crucial for the start and landing of the motor glider. Thus it’s necessary to make sure everything’s correct so there won’t be any problems.
After everything was fine outside of the glider, it was time to take a look inside.
Hereby, my Dad told me, the most significant thing to consider is that there’s not a single unfixed object that could move around. He told me that once there was an accident where someone lost a coin which then got into the engine and caused a crash.
I definitely didn’t want this to happen so I checked twice if all my belongings were safely stowed.
After we completed all these pre-flight checks, it was time to climb into the motor glider and roll to the runway from where we started.
Am I really going to do this?
At this point, I want to be completely honest with you and tell you that I was SO close to change my mind.
My legs were shaking like hell and my heart was jumping out of my chest. I think the last time I was that nervous was when I had to write my college admission test. Seriously, all I wanted to do at this moment was to turn around and just leave.
Well, I guess my passion for flying was too strong because I somehow overcame my extreme nervousness and hopped into the glider … or rather dragged my shaking body into it. 😀
Once at the starting point of the runway, my Dad had to check the oil temperature and the motor function before it was finally time for us to get up high in the air!
Up in The Air
It would be a lie if I told you that my nervousness disappeared as soon as the tires left the ground. I was sitting in that small plane, my body completely tensed up and barely moving. It took quite a few minutes until I felt my muscles ease. Then, finally, I could perceive the incredible feeling and freedom of motor gliding.
We left the airfield and headed in the direction of our home. On the way, we passed Sonntagberg Basilica – an important pilgrimage destination and the most famous sight of our region.
After my Dad flew two rounds above the basilica, we continued the journey to our place.
It didn’t take us that long anymore. What usually is a 20-minute car ride was less than a 10-minute flight.
Home, Sweet Home
I’ve never seen my home from bird’s-eye view and everything looked completely different. The surrounding hills, the road, and even the house itself seemed kind of unfamiliar and super tiny from so high above.
Of course, we couldn’t leave without flying over our village as well.
Along The Danube
The entire flight was scheduled to be an hour and we still had 30 minutes left. My Dad suggested flying into the direction of the Danube river and Melk Abbey.
When he said that, I kind of doubted we would actually make it there and return to the airfield within only 30 minutes.
For clarification: A car-ride from our place to Melk Abbey usually takes around an hour. With the motor glider, we got there within 15 minutes! I could hardly believe it.
While heading towards the abbey, I saw a lot of familiar cities from above like Ybbs and the most important pilgrimage site in Lower Austria, Maria Taferl.
Even from high above the abbey looks still very majestic and impressive as it’s sitting there overlooking the city of Melk.
Melk Abbey was our last stop before we had to return to the airfield. Luckily, my Dad took the “scenic route” and flew the glider along the Danube river.
Thank god, no crash landing!
The closer we came to the end of the flight, the more nervous I got again. I was a bit scared of the landing and it didn’t calm my nerves when my Dad mentioned that it’s usually the most difficult part of motor gliding. It rather caused the opposite effect.
Yeah, definitely not helpful at all.
Anyway, the landing was actually not as bad as I imagined it to be – although my Dad mentioned it was not his best one haha.
I expected it to be more of a crazy up and down but luckily it was very smooth.
Back on the ground, I realized how exhausted I was. It almost felt like I was flying the glider.
The entire flight was such an intense but fun experience and I was so happy and a bit proud I actually did it!
After leaving the glider, my Dad told me that usually, it has to be cleaned. However, on this day, someone rented it as a tow plane right after so we didn’t have to. Good for us, because the weather was really hot and cleaning the glider would have taken around an hour. In the blazing sun …
After-Flight Duties
Basically, our flight was over but my Dad had to do some after-flight duties.
Just like at any big airport, there’s a tower at the airfield.
We climbed it up to get the logbook in which my Dad had to enter information such as his name, the date, the starting place, the flight duration, and more.
From the tower, I enjoyed the view of the runway for the last time, before we headed for lunch. It was only then when I realized how hungry I actually was. Due to all my nervousness and excitement, I barely ate something in the morning.
Final Words About Motor Gliding
Motor gliding is a lot of fun. It’s intense but it really gives you the feeling of endless freedom.
Seeing all these familiar places from bird’s-eye view was simply awesome and a completely new experience. Yes, it did cost me some willpower to actually hop in the glider because it’s definitely not comparable to sitting in a normal plane.
If you ever get the chance to try motor gliding as well, I highly recommend doing it. It’s a once in a lifetime experience you probably won’t have that soon again!
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40 Comments
Taylor
Ah this looked like such a blast Alina! It’s so cool that you got to fly over your home and surrounding neighborhood. I did something similar when I was in college and I remember it was so cool!
worldoflina
Yeah it was seriously awesome seeing all these familiar places from another perspective 🙂
Melisa
Oh wow! I don’t think I’ve ever heard of motor gliding and this sounds like a thrill! I’m very scared of heights, but maybe this is the extra push to conquer my fears!
worldoflina
Oh it was really epic! Definitely not for the faint-hearted 😀
Vanessa Shields
What a cool experience and even better than your dad was flying it! Found myself intrigued as I had heard of a motor gliding but knew nothing about it. I think I would prefer the plane with a motor over the one that doesn’t! I’d be nervous too but it sure looks like an exciting adventure. Congrats on going up!
worldoflina
You should definitely give it a try one day! It’s seriously awesome 🙂
Katy
This is such a fun post! Interesting to read about the motorised variety as my Dad flys the “normal” gliders. Thanks for the good read.
worldoflina
Oh that’s so cool! I think both are really cool to fly 🙂
Deborah Patterson
Wow, what an amazing experience, and how lovely to see your beautiful region of Austria from the air.
worldoflina
It was such a fun experience!
Alma
I would love to go gliding, but like you I would be nervous at first! I have been in some small planes, but not that small.
worldoflina
It can definitely cost you some willpower but it’s so worth it! 🙂
Sophie
Oh my gosh motor gliding looks like SO much fun! I absolutely have to try this at some point. Not sure my dad would do it with me though!
worldoflina
It really is an amazing experience! I hope you’ll get the chance one day 🙂
Ophelie
Wow what a cool experience! For sure something to remember! I haven’t had the opportunity to try that yet, but I would love to!
worldoflina
Yes, I’ll definitely never forget it! Hopefully you can try it one day Ophélie 🙂
Helena
this looks so much fun Alina! I’ve always wanted to do something like this and so cool your dad was able to take you!!
worldoflina
I hope you’ll get the chance Helena!
Krista
Wow this looks like such a cool experience! I’ve seen this in movies but haven’t actually considered trying it out until now!
worldoflina
It’s fun, you should give it a go!
Madhu
Wow what an adventurous experience..I don’t think I could have ever done it ..bravo
worldoflina
It was so nerve-wracking but worth it! 😀
Bliss
What an amazing experience. I think I’d be nervous too, but the views seem so worth it.
worldoflina
I was seriously SO nervous but yes it’s definitely worth it 🙂
Jamie
This is such an incredible experience! I’d be nervous, but it must have been easier with your Father there by your side. How unique 🙂
worldoflina
Yes it helped for sure!
Earth To Katriona
This looks so fun – so awesome that you got to do it 🙂 The views look amazing too!
worldoflina
It was really incredible 🙂
Margarita
They say that the best things in life lie on the other side of fear and I think flying in a tiny craft is one of those things. I am nervous even about flying in small planes, so I can imagine how terrifying it would to take off in a glider! But like you say, once you see the world from above, you forget your fear and have an incredible experience. It’s a very inspirational story.
worldoflina
Oh yes I can’t agree more with that saying! I would also count motor gliding as such a thing 🙂
SHANY
What an amazing experience! Thank you for sharing- it’s definitely going to my bucket list.
worldoflina
Great! You’ll love it, I’m sure 🙂
Albi
I’m really happy that you could check out one of the lines on your bucket list, it is amazing, I think I would be really scared but I’m daring to try it at some point
worldoflina
I hope you’ll get the chance to do so!
Francesca
This looks like such a cool experience! I would love to learn how to fly a motor glider or go for a ride in one. The view from the tower is also awesome.
worldoflina
I really wanna make the license too now but it’s so expensive. 😀
Hannah
Sounds like you had a wonderful experience! My Dad also flies and I haven’t been up with him in years. This made me want to do it again. As you say, the world looks so different from above, it’s an amazing sight 🙂
worldoflina
So cool your Dad does it too! It’s really awesome we have the opportunity to join them right? 🙂
Agnes
I had to re-read some of this to make sure it wasn’t you flying that thing! I don’t have a fear of heights, but this would definitely test my nerves I think. Great post!
worldoflina
Haha yeah I would never be able to fly this! 😀