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Hangola April 20, 2000

Arrived in Manquin late wednesday afternoon to a picture perfect sky, but Steve Wendt had just gotten back from Pennsylvania, and operations weren't in progress. The next day the sky was a little hazy with desultory looking cummies.

Watched the scooter tow for training new pilots. Never realized what a great idea it is: the operator can control the altitude of the students somewhat to make sure they don't get too high. Soon the training hill will be for launch practice only, with a big mechanical arm that comes and scoops you out of the air before you have to worry about setting up a landing.

Learned how to platform launch. Not a problem. Truck towing in somewhat thermally conditions: A problem. Don't really like it. Anyway, my first flight was a sled with a few bumps. When Steve came back to see if I wanted to fly again, I spotted some circling hawks and nearly nodded my head off. Corkscrewed up over the center of the field, then played in some broken lift before getting too worn out to fight it any longer. Next two flights were extendos.

-Brian.

Terry and I headed over to Edith's Gap to attempt to commit aviation. Steve K. was suppose to come but I think he decided that Ridgley was a better bet. I wish I could say he was wrong, but my guess that anywhere but Edith's was better. Our flights weren't so much flying as they were plummetting towards the bailout LZ. Terry had the flight of the day with 3 minutes.....it was that good.

I launched first. I had a crappy launch (way too slow), a crappy flight (got my butt kicked all the way down, and for a minute didn't think I was going to make it to the LZ, ended up squeaking in over the trees at the far end) and a crappy landing (ended up having to drop into a big brush pile). At least it only lasted 2 minutes.

Terry came down to make sure I was okay, I was. Had a very slightly bent DT that I was able to bend back straight. All and all for the situation, a very good result. We went back up and Terry decided he wanted to give it a go. He had a good launch and actually found a little lift before he hit the big sink. He got to the bailout LZ with a whole 100'. He tried to set up an approach but got drilled and was headed for the big brush pile I ended up in. He was able to get off to the side it and only had to deal with a bunch of smaller brush piles. He ballooned his landing and came down hard but no damage.

Lessons learned? Bring Steve K. and make him fly first.

;-)

Roland

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This page last updated April 22, 2000