[HGXC]

There seems to be a lull in the action so let me post a flying story -


I just got back from a wonderful vacation at the Wallaby Ranch. I
hadn't had a restful vacation for more then a week in many years so
it was long overdue. A flying buddy of mine and I rented a "hooch"
(small cabin), dead center of the ranch 30 feet from my set up staked
glider. When the condition were right all I needed to do was wander
out place the glider on a cart, zip into my harness and roll out to a
waiting tug. It can't get much better then that. The place was loaded
with visiting pilots and WW had there annual party that week also.

Weather was not cooperative for most of the week but we did get some
small XC's in. I'm a New England pilot and the opportunity to fly in
consecutive days in decent conditions is very rare. I find myself
usually getting warmed up and tuned in initially in flights before I
can really start to wire into a day. The people who fly in FL are
spoiled in that they fly good conditions regularly and are always on
there game. But after a few flights I did manage to get a 21 mile
flight and then flew toward Tampa for 35 miles. That was fun but I
was there to try to do a big flight.

The last day presented the best opportunity. Naturally the weather
started to get good when I had to leave but I arrange for my buddy to
follow me as I flew toward home. I was very tuned to my ATOS and the
new tail I had installed. The glider fly's very easy and stable in
thermals and it allows me to tighten up and slow down in smaller
thermals, very neat feature. I got off tow and soon caught a nice
forming thermal taking me up to cloudbase. I flew north toward as the
race contestants from Quest flew south. It was strange to be flying
alone into a pack of gliders thermalling up and seeing 10 or so going
the opposite way I was. It was like "what's wrong with this picture?
But I continued and at the 25 mile mark got real low (400 feet). In
New England with very few LZ's this is panic mode so I had to adjust
my thought process to an area that offers many LZ options. I fought
off the tendency to think landing and fought for 15+ minute in
nothing until some lift started to consolidate into a light thermal.
I stayed with that and eventually …bingo.. 1000+ up to the white
room. Well that's a much better perspective so flap cord off, arms in
and off I went to the next line of lift forming as I was climbing up.
I strong together many nice climbs, tried to stay on the 75 line that
I google flew many times from home. But it was my first central FL
flight and it take some real flying experience to avoid getting boxed
in as you approach the top of the state and GA. I flew past Ocala but
right into a couple lakes and swamps. I tried to fly around them but
that took me out of the lift line and I eventually landed 80 miles
out past a town call Anthony. I flew right over John Travolta's air
strip and at 6 grand that looked incredible. Man his house is a half
a mile long and he has a 7500' paved runway and a 747 parked in his
drive way. It was like he could walk out to the plane and fly to a
store for a quart of milk!!

We are very lucky to have these flight parks and with Disney being
one exit away, Wallaby offers the best of flying, food safety and
pilot comradely. I came back rested and my flying batteries fully
charged for the season. I fly a rigid so that usually means I need
to drive but anyone can simply get a cheap Southwest air flight, get
picked up at the airport and in 20 minutes you are there ready to
rent a glider and go. It can't get much better then that.

Malcolm Jones and the ranch hands run a great park.

Dennis

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[Nibs]

Thanks for the write-up Dennis. I'll be heading to Wallaby this Sunday for the first time; really looking forward to it and this was a nice teaser. Glad you got a good XC flight too!

[selbaer]

[Nibs]

Will do Selbaer. I'll be there sunday afternoon through Monday evening or Tuesday evening depending on the weather.

[HuttoRhino]

Thanks for the vacation idea...

[ClandestineSwine]

[HuttoRhino]

Maybe a doable trip this fall..... maybe organize a group trip for next summer.. hmmm

[DocSoc]

It was kinda wierd getting on a highway that sported Mickey Mouse ear shaped power poles!

But as I pulled of on exit 62 toward Wallby, the anticipation rolled in...

Malcom knew I was coming and bringing a friend, I called ahead to let him know that I recently moved to FL and learned at LMFP.

he asked me a few questions, then reprimanded me because my temp HG card was not filled correctly and to pass that on to my "Dad: Matt Tabor", but other then a few differences in methodologies, the place was really cool.

it is layed out well for family enjoyment, something that most of the parks I've been to lack a bit in...

I got up once, the weather turned bad quickly, something that happens on the regular in FL. but the flight was nice, the tow was smooth... and the field was large.

Malcom was nice, and said, "Well now we know you and you know us!" I guess that means I am welcome...

My friend? Well, he got the "Are you a trouble maker?" question.. Hmmm....

-Soc
"Team Chicken Hawk"