Tailwheel Meet Overboelare

Gliding Club VZP (Vlaams Zweefvliegcentrum Phoenix) organised their opendoorweekend together with the Tailwheel Meet, like the name says: a fly-in for taildraggers. There were many visitors, what clearly showed the experience and reputation in the oldtimer world. Also Guy Valvekens, known from the immense popular Fly-in at Schaffen-Diest, was assigned as 'uncle' of the event.

Between take-offs and landings glider demonstrations were given, using the really spectacular winch launch. Speeds can reach 110-120 km/h in steep climb, and the glider's auto-release mechanism releases the cable at 300m. Now the pilot has to find thermal lift to stay in the air, otherwise he has to join the landing circuit very soon. If you want to learn more about gliding, look here.

Taildraggers present were Piper Cubs, Stearmans, Stampe&Vertongen SV4's, Pitts Special,... Most of them from Belgium or the Netherlands. The Pitts gave a nice display and someone came flying with an RC-controlled Extra 300. Also there was a paradrop performed by Skydive Flanders.

A large crowd appeared on both Saturday and Sunday, so the opendoor was certainly a succes for the VZP!