Back to Taylor, 12/8/12

I returned to Taylor Farm on Saturday the 8th, once more to join John M. and his students for a day in the sunshine. It was still gray and overcast when we arrived,  the grass still damp. However, by early afternoon the sun had come out, the grass dried off, and the wind was a nice mild southwest coming up the hill with a bit of south cross. Jesse Y. was also there, getting in six flights on his Sport 2. John had four students,: Walt, Eric, Trevor, and Curtis. When I arrived, John chided me that he wanted to see me have more than three flights this week. I obliged him by having five flights. My launch runs and landings were both much improved over last week. This week's video starts with John showing the way it's done, followed by two of his students, and finally my fifth and final flight of the day.

Training Hill Practice, Dec 2, 2012

After too long a hiatus from flying, I joined John Middleton for his Sunday afternoon class at Taylor Farm. When I arrived around 12:30, John A. was breaking down, having declared his seven morning flights on his new (to him) Pulse 10 sufficient for the day. John had four students, Matt B. and Steve K. both showed up with their bag wings. Even Kevin C. came out to dust off the cobwebs and fly a number of times. 

I confirmed how out of shape I am by getting only three flights in the afternoon, but it was nice to be back in the air and playing outdoors all afternoon. 

Here's a view from the top of the hill of the class underway.

For your entertainment, here is a short video of two of John students flying down the hill, followed by John demonstrating how it's done. You can see the 702p HD version on Youtube.

Aerotow Day at Highland, June 10

The day after the East Coast Championship (ECC), conditions still looked excellent for the sky at Ridgely, MD. I got in a very satisfying 45 minute flight mid-afternoon, riding the thermal Zach dropped me by to over 4300'. A few folks flew cross country, but most of us stayed local.

Back to the Mountains - Woodstock, June 2

A northwest forecast prompted me to join the crowd at Woodstock. This was way overdue - I had not flown there since the fall of 2008! On launch, the slight left cross wind was bouncing off the right side of the slot, lifting my right wing. Waiting for a balanced wing meant I took my launch run with no wind. It worked fine, with a push out to bounce over the trees at the bottom of the slot. I spent about 20 minutes cruising between the two fingers, never getting more than 300' above launch. The air was not particularly rowdy, but just bumpy enough that I was working the entire flight. Out of practice, my arms were getting fatigued, so I landed at about 25 minutes. My approach pattern was spot on, but my flare a bit weak. As I was running out the landing, I tripped to my knees in the tall grass. Still, no beak, an all safe.

Dinner afterwards at a little pizza place in Woodstock, just off I-81, with Greg, Dan Tuck, Jesse, and Alex. Good company, nice time.

Training Days at Taylor

I made my way down to Taylor farm twice in May, getting three flights each day. May 12, I joined John M and his four students. Memorial Day, May 28, Bacil D and Jesse Y also came down to fly while John taught. Ward O accompanied Bacil to help out. He gets videographer credit for this view of two of my flights, and one each by Bacil and Jesse.

Kite Festival 2012

The Capitol club returned to the National Mall for the annual spring kite festival. This year is the second as an event of the Cherry Blossom Festival. It was also the 100th anniversary of the gift of cherry trees to Washington, D.C from the mayor of Tokyo.

Over the afternoon John M, Dan T, Matt G, and Karen C all spent time helping out, and Sheila G brought her girls down from Pennsylvania for to play DC tourists.

Mark C and Matt I Ready to Charm the Throngs

Glider and Booth

My Pulse glider with the child size harness was once more a hit among kids and their parents. Most of the afternoon little ones were happily swinging under the glider as parents snapped pictures.

Matt and I with the rider glider

Kites frame the Monument

Taylor Farm 11/19/11

Busy day at Taylor Farm. John M had seven students, several of them first timers. A couple of his more experienced had pretty good flights and look close to graduation. Carlos brought his bag, and spent the day kiting in the field, with a couple of flights late in the day. Peter, who had not flown in two years, came out with Janice and her 1 year old Newfie/Bernad, Bear. Matthew and Karen brought both plumbing and bags, prepared for any eventuality of wind.

From 11 to mid afternoon, the forecast 8-10 mph winds were more like 10-15 at the top of the hill. It was a bit more mellow down in the field. Matthew, Karen and I were launching from 1/3 down the hill to be in more benign winds. Peter, being more hardy, was launching from the top, albeit with careful timing. By 4:00 it finally mellowed out, and Matthew, Karen, and Carlos all got some bag flights in.

I made three flights, all with reasonable launch runs, the final one with a fully acceptable landing. Also, proved to myself I need to get more exercise.

Sunset across the field was lovely, as we were finishing packing out our gear.

Karen & Matthew, Janice & Peter, Carlos and I finished the day with dinner at Amy's Cafe down by the river. Great little spot. Several of us discovered Fred Red Ale, from a local Fredericksbug brewery - fine tasty beer, in a generous 22 ounce bottle. We all recommend Amy's, and plan to return.

Great day for everyone. Even John's first day students got in a couple of short low flights.

Bad Launch, Broken Glider

Blew my launch. Based on witness accounts and how the glider acted, I pushed out very slightly as I left the cliff, initiating a stall. The right wing lifted, turing me toward the trees to the left.Then it appears I was not aggressive enough in pulling in for speed, because I gained no control as I swung to the right; the left turn continued unabated.
I ended up in the trees immediately below launch. able to stand on a rock ledge.
Crew came down immediately to get me unhooked, fold up the glider, and carry it up to the top for me.
Only very minor injuries: bruised and scraped left shoulder and right forearm. Known glider damage includes both downtubes and at least one segment of leading edge.

Many thanks to everyone who helped out- all of the pilots there and even a couple of wuffos.

Flying at Highland Aerosports on July 10

Saturday I drove to Blue Sky at Richmond, to find the truck runway waterlogged - no flying happening.
Sunday, I joined over a dozen pilots at Highland Aerosports in Ridgely, tempted by outstanding thermal forecasts.
The day was reasonable, but not stellar as we had all hoped. Much of the afternoon the sky was flat, with few thermals working for us. I flew twice, a couple of sleds: 13 1/2 minutes and 12 1/2 minutes. Solid tow on one flight, like I was on rails. A bit more lively tow the second time; was working harder to stay in position. Landings were good. On the first I flared a bit too early so my no-stepper was a feet/knees crumple/down, safe and not too noisy. The second was a very satisfying no stepper.

Lots of friends on hand: Carlos W., Joe G., Steve K., Valerie R., Jon B., Matthew G., Karen C., John S., Christian T., Ward O.. Met Travis from Philly. Fun day, and good to be in the sky again.

Shortly after releasing from tow, here is a view of the north edge of the town of Ridgely from over the field.



This gives pretty good view of the field. Note all the gliders in the set up lane next to the main landing area.

A Non-Flying Holiday Weekend

With big plans for the holiday weekend at Hyner View, I loaded both gliders onto the truck Thursday evening after work. However, an injured dog kept me around the house all weekend. Just in case the dog got better, I left the truck loaded and ready to run off. Well, it rained Saturday night. Time to sun dry the gliders in the back yard on Sunday. Thus, the opportunity to get a picture of my Wills WIng U2 160 and the Pacific Airwave Pulse 19 side by side.



If you look closely you can see the big black plastic tube hanging under the eave of the shed; it is the U2's home.