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Hangola
Saturday May 16

Hangola
Sunday May 17

Hey all,
Just a quick note to tell you that Kinsley's high grass warning at High Rock is not to be taken lightly.
I flew this afternoon about 2:30 at High Rock. WInds were light, straight in and I had a pleasant extended sled, picking up a few light lift points on the way to the LZ. I flew my downwind leg a bit slow, and made my turn to base a little too flat, so I entered final about a tree height too high. I stuffed the bar and was making a good rate of descent, but knew I would use most of the field. On the drive up to HR with Dan Tomlinson, we had discussed Steve's warning about the tall grass, and confirmed the procedure to use the top of the grass as the ground. I had this in mind as I came down on final.
I moved into round-out at a good speed. However, as I began my my transition from base tube to down tube, I let the nose pop up a little, causing me to rise. I pulled back in to maintain control. The next thing I recall, I was laid out under the glider, and Dan (who had already flown and watched my landing from the breakdown area) was at Emma Jane's calling Washington County Emergency Services. Apparently, as I came down, my big wheels got into the tall grass, and my base tube may have gotten in them an inch or two. Whatever amount of glider got into the grass, it as enough to grab the basetube and do a classic tall grass whack. The glider beaked HARD and I was down for the count. We think I was knocked out for just moment. As soon as he saw the whack, Dan ran over to me. I was conscious when he arrived, but somewhat incoherent, and asked him if I had flown. That was when he went for help.
The EMS took me to Washington County Hospital in Hagerstown. They treated me as a standard head trauma case, and ran a set of chest and neck x-rays, plus a CAT scan. According to the trauma surgeon, everything was normal, with negative findings and no apparrent injury. In addition, my short term memory and overall awareness had returned pretty well during the 15 minute ambulance ride. Standard protocol after being knocked out is 24 hour observation in the hospital. However, since the doctor said he honestly thought I was ok, and I could not tell any head pain or problems, I checked myself out and Dan drove me home.
The lovely wifely person in my life, Kay, will keep an eye on me through the night and into tomorrow, just in case, I like the part in the hopsital's care instructions that she is to arouse me every two or three hours, and be sure I am easily aroused. (I promise, that is exactly the wording on the paper.)
Body damage to me is minimal. I scraped an arm, bruised a leg, and my chest and back muscles are sore. BUT, I am having no head problems at all. Glider damage is in the normal range for a whack: one down tube, the base tube, and three battens. I'll inspect the glider before getting back in the air, and will give strong consideration to retiring my full face helmet. For all the guys who tried to fly the Pulpit today.. sorry your day wasn't working there. I hope you got something good at Breezewood. Last statement: I know the rules on tall grass landings. I have practiced them many times at the Taylor training hill. I knew that I was going in to tall grass, and was trying to fly it just as I had trained. One moment of carelessness, and the dirty buggers grabbed my ass. Take a lesson from me... If I had come into the real ground in the same way, I would have had a fast, safe, rolling wheels landing. Treat the top of tall grass with MORE respect than simply the equivalent of the ground.
My thanks to Dan, Kevin, and Kelly for taking care of me and my gear. My apologies to the folks whose day I interrupted with my adventure.

Craig Shelton

P.S. While waiting in the emergency room to see the doctor, they gave me a Men's Journal magazine to read. The cover story was about "manly" sports to take up. It covered surfing, kayaking, mountain climbing, and even getting a private pilot's license. But no FAR Part 103 flying! NO hang gliding, paragliding, ultralights, or even soaring! I was offended! Oh well.

Went to the Pulpit today. Conditions were strong at launch, winds 15-20 and a little cross from the North. Doug and Christy flew. Then, Mark Fink, Mike C, Keith Ford, Dennis ? , Kevin Madden. They all soared. Kelly was there for her first flight at the Pulpit and waited for the conditions to settle down. Finally, after Christy launched again, Kelly had a very nice hour soaring flight. I launched soon after her and also soared. After teardown, the two Mikes, Kelly, Kevin, Christy and Doug went for pizza. A successful, if long day of flying at the Pulpit.
Mike Buckley
1' 15"
568' over

ps. the grass in the LZ is chest high in places!

Had my first mountain and first soaring flight on the new Fusion.

I LOVE MY NEW GLIDER!

It was eminently soarable, cross and a little rotary on the ridge but nice once you got up into the occasionally ratty thermals. The glider is really confidence inspiring. At one or two points I actually stopped to think that I should be a lot less comfortable than I was working in as close as I did during some of the down cycles, and in the occasional 500 up - sink alarm - 500 up stuff. Decided instead to not worry, be happy.

After about 30 mins I figured out how to thermal the thing, after a fashion. It'll take a while longer to increase the efficiency of my turns back up to old standards. It is way cool to thermal all the way to the back ridge, pull in the bar, and be back at launch in no time flat. Can't wait to see what happens if I pull on that VG cord thingy (next time). Glider slows down nicely, too - nice bonus.

Didn't set any daily records; airhog, timehog, and altitudehog all go to Brian Hardwick, I think. But I had a total blast! 2 flights: 1+30 and 0+30 (went magic, couldn't pass it up). 2500' over. One decent landing (the other one was indecent). Can't wait for next time.

-- Joe :-)

Just returned from four soarable days at Wallaby! Two flights each day, 5m xc on Friday, 4600' over yesterday. Took four half tows one evening to practice landings. I haven't yet added up my airtime(!). It was a great trip!!

Judy

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This page last updated May 26, 1998