I did a terrible thing to a passenger when gliding back in early 80’s.
We had an open day and I was doing rides...lots of them. Winch launches are quick and there was title thermal activity so my day was a boring repetition of ups and downs.
A young man got in and, after I briefed him and made sure he was properly strapped in, we were away. The 450 hp Packard driving the winch had us going up like an elevator and my pax was clearly exhilarated. We talked about it after release as we floated around and he expressed interest in doing some more exciting stuff. I said, “how about a stall turn?”. He enthusiastically agreed.
I did a quick HAZEL, stuck the nose down to get 90 knots, raised the nose to the heavens and when all went quiet, kicked on left rudder and the dear old Blanik responded. We weren’t on our back, but it was a really nice manoeuvre that had us coming back in the opposite direction after recovery from the near vertical.
My passenger screamed!
It wasn’t the scream of excitement that kids give on the Big Dipper. It was more primeval... the sort of thing I often imagined myself doing if confronted by a Great White when diving off Port Phillip Heads.
I levelled out and did my best to calm him and he just very quietly said, “Just get me down”.
He walked away when we landed and I’ve never forgotten that I ruined what started out as a great experience for an an initial flyer just to give myself a few moments of fun.
Kaz
PS. My punishment came later that day when another young hopeful spewed out the little vent window beside him. He was sitting in the front seat so it all came back in through my vent window in the back!!!
Kaz