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Hangola March 2 - 5, 2005

Flight Reports

I flew today midday, along with Larry Huffman and a few other die-hards. (Paul was recovering from the flu and opted to stay grounded.) The low inversion made for a rough tow and bumpy air, combined with marginal lift. After 25 minutes of scraping, I felt happy to land.

But this evening the wind backed off a tic, and I was confident the thermals had died. Bob was too busy with tandems to watch me try spot landings for my 4, but Drew said he had time. It was challenging for me to have the guts to try, because I might fail. But the time looked right.

I visualized the perfect landing, gliding gently down to the exact spot between the cones I had set.

Drew flipped off my vario as I launched. As I set up for landing, he took the cones and began to stroll across the field with them. I yelled down that if he didn't set the damn things down, how could I be expected to land by them? In his own sweet time he placed them according to his whim.

I flew an accurate final, which placed me exactly between the cones, but one foot became tangled in my harness line. I had to land one-footed, which quickly turned into "two-kneed", instead. I argued that for a one foot landing it was pretty good but Drew said I had to start over. The b**tard. My knees hurt but at least I didn't break Griffin.

Well, I'll be quick. The next 3 landings were GREAT. Well, the last one I took 2 steps, and the 2nd one I landed about 15 feet from the cones, but basically I NAILED IT!! My last flight it was so late and dark and I was scared I would blow it. Hey, I believe that pigs can fly, because damn, I am a 4! Isn't that strange? Who woulda thunk it?

Larry and Paul watched and met me with cheering. I was driven over to the hangar and Larry put away my glider. Then we all feasted at Salvadore's Italian Restaurant with some other pilot friends.

The manager said she would give me the young French Chef as a present to celebrate but she never came through and besides I love Paul a lot but it was a good joke.

Now we gotta go to a party at Quest. Woohoo, things are very good.

Lauren

Today I experienced a lovely flight, a little 40 minute number to 3100, flown after 3 PM, when the thermals had lost some of their sharp edges. I was brave enough and smart enough not to run when other pilots came in on my tail. Once I got scared enough I let another pilot take my thermal, but I at least stayed on the outside of the circle and came back in after he got higher than I was, instead of punishing myself by marching off to another area in a huff. When it's blue, you gotta give up your pride! Actually I am just learning a bit about how to fly politely in company.

Landing was interesting with many pilots plummeting from the sky at the same moment, complicated by a small, tempting -- but ultimately unworkable -- thermal, 3-4 hundred feet over the LZ. Ah, that is what the tug plane is for; you can always try again if it is too challenging and you are in danger pushing it.

After landing, it was time to confront my third challenge for the last two weeks. The challenges were: (number 1) I had to go XC at least once, (number 2) try to get my 4, and (number 3, the one that I hadn't done) tow off my shoulders. It is amazing what a woosie I am. Worry worry worry but I was damned if I was going to put it off.

Zach and Paul explained that I couldn't jam the bar out in front of me like I do when I launch regularly; that I might pop up and stall my glider (and fall to the ground and writhe in pain and then die), but that I must allow myself to be pulled though the control frame a bit and then hold my arms rigid.

Zach kept saying, no, more forward, no, more than that, when I asked if my body was forward enough. Finally I just said, OK, I am launching. He said later my pitch was perfect but I was petrified for a couple of seconds wondering if I got it right.

The tow was uneventful but the bar pressure was lots more, and I already fly with half VG so I don't feel I can increase it. It was harder to follow the plane when I got high on it. Zach pointed out later I could just stay a little low. Actually I think it will be fine since I am strong, but it will be more difficult to tow in midday conditions, because of the bar pressure. But I sure liked the clean configuration and it is much less drag. Really so much less crap hanging off my down tube.

So Paul just told me he has 3 more goals for my next 2 weeks. COOL! It is very constructive for me to have these things to aim for.

Come see us soon.

Love
Lauren

Great day today! Winds NE early...smooth and steady straight in; later shifting to NNE and then N. Some snow cover still on the slope making for slippery footing walking up but running down not an issue, nor was the LZ. Student Glen Hardy kicked "arse" launching from the top all day and hitting the parking lot. Some rotor turbulence from pavillion present but managable....typical Oregon Ridge stuff in a N. Got some flying in myself. Yaaaa. Good time had by all. Bugged out around 4pm

Rich Hays

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This page last updated March 8, 2005