Finally got a lesson in after far too long going uninstructed and only able to do bunny hill stuff. Fortunately my skills haven't rusted too badly; my biggest problem that day was figuring out how to land in tall grass, which I haven't had to deal with before. I had one landing go really well...until my feet touched down and slid on the wet grass!. My second-biggest problem was walking through said tall, wet grass in shorts and sneakers. The video is one of two flights I got in off the 300' launch. Not doing anything fancy; just practicing the DBF landing approach.
I'll admit though, that I aimed for the wrong landing target. It wasn't intentional! The hang-2 spot is completely overgrown with 3-foot-tall grass, while the hang-4 spot has this nice dirt circle; very easy to see from the air. So I used it to judge when to start my base leg instead of the 2-spot, without really realizing it. Oops. Then when I was coming around, I saw I'd be landing pretty close to it, and thought "Hey, why not try to land in the circle?" Almost did, too! Just a smidge too much altitude. I guess for really tight spot landings you want to aim a bit in front of your spot, since you'll move forwards a little while you level out and flare.
Now I just need to replicate that intentionally, and declare it beforehands.
Fortunately, I've heard they'll be mowing the LZ soon. _________________ A.k.a. Chris W
Got my H1 in Feb 2010!
Aaahh... the EL 300! I remember my first flight there, 18 years ago. I remember thinking, "OMG, I'm so high - I can see the bay from here! My friends and family are gonna be so impressed when they see my pictures of this. I'm over twice as high as those eucalyptus trees down there - now this is flying!"
I had pretty much the same thoughts every time I graduated to a higher peak at EL. Some pilots groan about how boring the training was at EL. I pretty much loved it all. Sure, I was happy to eventually spread my wings at other sites, but we are pretty darn lucky to have such a great training site in the Bay Area.
Sweet _________________ If I die while I'm in flight,
whether brightest day or darkest night,
spare me your pity shrug off the pain,
secure in the knowledge
that I would do it all again.
Aaahh... the EL 300! I remember my first flight there, 18 years ago. I remember thinking, "OMG, I'm so high - I can see the bay from here! My friends and family are gonna be so impressed when they see my pictures of this. I'm over twice as high as those eucalyptus trees down there - now this is flying!"
I had pretty much the same thoughts every time I graduated to a higher peak at EL. Some pilots groan about how boring the training was at EL. I pretty much loved it all. Sure, I was happy to eventually spread my wings at other sites, but we are pretty darn lucky to have such a great training site in the Bay Area.
RM
I remember shaking and having a hard time getting my breath on the 150'. Great job! Total rush, right?
That was sweet! I prefer to call it "Launching" though ;-) My friends always kid me about "jumping" off mountains, and I tell them that's "Base Jumping" lol.
I remember my first low altitude flights at EL. So awesome! _________________ Gary - H3 Wills Wing U2
My day jobs - Cellular and Alarm/Video Surveillance Systems
I remember shaking and having a hard time getting my breath on the 150'
Same here. Of course, I was already a long time Hang IV and just out of shape. What ever possessed me to carry my assembled glider and harness up that hill died along the way. It won't happen again.
Derakon, congratulations. The launch was especially nice; good speed, very smooth.
Congrats to GP, too, for his recent ratings upgrade.
Way to go guys. It's good to see you both advancing. _________________ "If you're not living on the edge, you're taking up too much space." - Anonymous
I guess I am spoiled. I'll take the trailer ride up at M-Side please. _________________ $!><
____________
Live while you are alive.
http://www.vimeo.com/six6
Oddly enough, the 300' launch wasn't much of an adrenaline rush. Now, the first time I went off the 150' launch, that definitely was. 300' was mostly "Hey, yeah, I've got plenty of room to sort things out before I land! Awesome!" Which isn't to say I didn't enjoy the heck out of those flights. I got more than a minute of continuous airtime! What's not to like?
$!><: there's a road leading up to the 300' launch, so you can drive yourself up there. Of course you have to break down your glider and set up again for each flight. Or you can walk it up, which is actually faster assuming you're in good enough shape to make the trek. You do have to walk it up for the 150'; no roads there. Also, uh, nice video.
Thanks for all the kind words, everyone! _________________ A.k.a. Chris W
Got my H1 in Feb 2010!
Nice landing and very nice hand position on launch.
I too tell everybody I don't jump off mountains, that's for those crazy parachutist, We run gracefully off the mountian and take flight _________________ H-3 FL FSL ST
Sport2 155
Sport Pilot Antares 582 Trike
USAF 74/78 and USAFR 88/90 and proud to have served
Don't die until you're dead and in the mean time keep your eyes on Jesus
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