My First Flight:
In a DG single seater; In a DG-808C; In a Self Launcher; In Germany (or outside Sweden and US)
By Lars Erik Lundin, Camarillo, California.
I started flying rather late in life, I was 53 when I took my first lesson. The main reason I had not started earlier was my bad grass allergies. This had also prevented me from realizing my boyhood dream of flying. Fortunately, the symptoms gradually diminished and by 1997 the symptoms were at a level where I was rather comfortable even on a grass field.
Bergfalke SE-TLA (my first ship) at my home club GSFK (www.gsfk.se)
Volvo XC90, current tow car at GSFK, Alingsås
After my first lesson I knew flying was just as fantastic as I had imagined. The first summer I soloed, got my certificate the next and two summers later I had my cross-country endorsement. The following summers I participated in two regional competitions with a very experienced pilot as my partner (in a DG-500 Trainer). I most certainly learned a lot from these experiences and recommend it to anyone who wants to improve his or her cross-country soaring skills!
Henry Leuchovius and I in our club's DG-500 at District Championships 2002
In 2001 I moved from the west coast of Sweden to the west coast of the USA. I still reside in Camarillo, California, about 100 km NW of LA International Airport (LAX). I fly gliders here too, at Crystal, a glider port which is a 1h 30min drive from Camarillo. At Crystal I was introduced to "gliding the US way" by Ron Gregg. Ron who knows everybody connected with gliding in the area.
Ron Gregg and Great Western Soaring School's DG-505 at Crystal, CA (greatwesternsoaring.com)
I started taking lessons in motor planes in 2002. With Camarillo airport (KCMA) only 10 min from home, I just could not resist.
Flying a Cessna 172 after flying an LS-8 can be compared to driving an old truck after driving a formula car. (I still compete in car racing!)
However, it is very convenient to be able to rent a plane and avoid the notoriously slow traffic on the California freeways. Another reason for learning how to fly motor planes is that I just get such a kick out of learning new skills.
Me in Camarillo (KCMA) and Channel Island Aviation's (flycia.com) Cirrus SR22
In the summer of 2005 , at my Swedish club, I got my type rating to fly an SSG (Self Sustaining Glider), a Duo-Discus T. I think I enjoy cross-country flights even more when I don't have to think THAT MUCH about having to perform my very first 'real' out-landing. (So far I have only done practice out-landings and one real on an old abandoned airfield) But, you always have to be prepared for the possibility the motor won't start when you need it. Don't wait until you are too low, but use your motor while you still have many options. You loose altitude really fast with the motor extended!
I first met Friedel (Karl-Friedrich Weber) in the summer of 2000 when he was in Gothenburg, Sweden visiting Yves Bastien who was there with his ship HMCS Halifax of the Canadian Navy. (See "Florida Dreaming – an Internet Romance" and "A different kind of Flying Story" under "Flight Reports" on the DG home page) Friedel and I have also met a couple of times at the SSA (Soaring Society of America) when it had its yearly convention in Ontario, California. Having a standing invitation to visit Friedel and the DG-factory, I finally had the opportunity to go to Bruchsal (from Gothenburg, Sweden) in early June of 2006. On the way I had a splendid time at Friedel's summer house enjoying his and his wife's fantastic hospitality.
I then went on to Bruchsal via Wasserkuppe with its marvelous gliding museum. If you ever get the chance, go there!
Soaring Museum at Wasserkuppe, Germany
Visiting the DG-factory was like a dream come true and just looking at the DG-808C sitting outside sent shivers down my spine. It's the same feeling I sometimes get looking at a F1 car up close. This is a real racing machine and a true beauty as well.
DG-808C at the DG factory
When I understood it would be possible for me to try this ship, lots of contradicting feelings went running around in my head:
I really wanted to fly this beautiful sail plane…..BUT…..
I have to admit I was nervous about the prospect of flying in unfamiliar airspace, with its specific challenges, without first getting the usual "get acquainted tour" of the area in a two-seater.
It felt a bit like my first flight in a single seater:
All of a sudden you have to start flying something you have never flown without the safe, comfortable feeling of an instructor in the rear seat.
However, it really did not take me long to realize that if I did not take this opportunity I would probably regret it for the rest of my life. So I made the quick decision to go for it.
The ship was rolled out from the factory to the adjacent little grass field across a small bridge.
The taxi way from the DG factory to the air field
Friedel gave me instructions on the specifics of the ship. It was not at all hard to learn. The power plant is VERY easy to operate! Compared to the Duo Discus T which I am familiar with, the DG-808 is a marvel of simplicity. The DEI system (Digital Engine Indicator) really reduces the pilot load. I think all aircraft manufacturers should look at the DEI and learn from it. The DEI makes it possible for the pilot to concentrate on flying, not going through complicated check-lists on how to engage or disengage the power plant. On top of that the digital panel also gives other very useful reminders and information.
(Almost) Ready to go in the DG-808C
This particular glider was also equipped with the NOAH emergency exit system. This is basically an airbladder that helps the pilot exit the damaged glider. The release handle is also connected to the safety belt lock so it disengages when the handle is pulled. The "Piggot-Hook" completed the safety gear I had seen and read about but not tried before. Since SAFETY is the most important core value for Volvo Cars, where I have worked for almost 35 years, it felt very good to fly a plane from a manufacturer where safety innovations are realized, not only spoken about.
It felt rather awkward to taxi in a glider! But Friedel helped me at the wing tip and all of a sudden I was lined up and ready for take off.
I gently pushed the throttle to full power and the glider accelerated briskly down the short grass field. A lot sooner than expected I was airborne and climbing at 4+ m/s (800+ ft/min). Following Friedel's recommendations I climbed to 2.000 m before pulling the throttle and flipping the switch. In the rear view mirror I saw that the computer took care of the rest. Later the panel let me know the power plant was in its fully retracted mode.
The DEI display showed "Warning Landing Gear up!", and I realized I had totally forgotten to retract it. I have never forgotten this before, but I guess all the excitement led me to forget. There is always the first time to make a new mistake!
Flying the DG-808C in Germany
After flying through very still air for a while, I was coming down towards 1.000 m. I decided to activate the power plant just to make sure I knew how it worked should I need it later. Again I found the power plant extremely simple both to engage and disengage.
Getting closer to the forest-filled higher terrain NE of Bruchsal I got some thermal action which I used and then headed towards Heidelberg in pretty good soaring weather that seemed to improve all the time.
Old Heidelberg from above
I thoroughly enjoyed this fine glider. I found it to be very comfortable as well as nimble, both in the thermals and speeding along finding the next one. After half an hour it felt like I knew it very well and I journeyed on in an NE direction. The chart I had borrowed told me I was approaching controlled air SE of Frankfurt, but I must admit I was not quite prepared when the unfamiliar ZANDER computer flashed something like: "Do you REALLY want to enter Frankfurt air space?" Of course not, so I turned around and headed home.
I turned towards Heidelberg and Neckar which I could see in the distance. It was then time to start looking for Bruchsal and the home field, but I could not find it. Quite embarrassing not to find the way back home! I was sure I could reach it without problems. However, not to make things worse, I quickly decided to go for the rule "Better Safe then Sorry" and started the motor one last time. After climbing to a very safe altitude I looked at the chart and quickly found Bruchsal only a few km away from where I had been looking. It really felt good to find all the landmarks designating the DG home field!
It is hard to look happy and relaxed when you stretch your arm for a photo!
Landing was very easy. Everything went exactly according to plan and the air brakes were very efficient indeed.
I landed with a GREAT SMILE on my face and a new dream.
The dream is to have a self-starting 2-seater, probably in a small syndicate of 3-6 people.
Why a 2-seater? Being two people in the plane (when you want to) in my view increases the fun, since you can share experiences with somebody. Of course you can still fly alone when you want to.
Friedel, and all the friendly people at DG, thanks for the experience!
and
How about a self-starting DG-1000?
lars erik lundin
Camarillo
CA 93012
USA
As you have noticed already, Lars is a leading manager of the Volvo Cars Group. That may explain the fantastic tow car of his home club! 
Well - we are always looking for the possibility of a DG-1000M. But we need an engine which is really reliable.
And in the moment such a motor is not available on the world market. Sorry!
There is a movie on our webiste made by Volvo for an introducing ceremony of a new car.
"Aerobatic Flying with a DG-505"
Relaxing in my Summer House