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Brian
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Joined: 05 Sep 2007
Posts: 251
Location: Newnan, GA
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 Posted: Tue Oct 02, 2007 4:34 am Post subject: When to buy a pod during training? |
 #1 |
Hello all,
I was wondering when to purchase my own harness. Do I worry about getting my 10 mountain solos in 1st? Wait until I get my tow solo? Just wondering when is a 'good' time to start flying w/ your own pod...
I'm working on my tow solo exclusively until my quads heal and I can clear the big hill. Depending upon weather, I may tow solo in another month...
thx,
Brian
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NW Horizon 180 |
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FormerFF
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Joined: 28 Aug 2006
Posts: 2482
Location: Roswell, Georgia, USA
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| Posted: Tue Oct 02, 2007 4:39 am Post subject: |
#2 |
Buy it when you know what you want. If you get one that's custom made, you'll be waiting for a few months anyway.
I was measured for mine the last weekend in August, and there's no sign of it yet. Not that I need it with all these  easterlies anyway. |
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CHassan
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Joined: 27 Jul 2006
Posts: 4593
Location: Ohio
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| Posted: Tue Oct 02, 2007 4:39 am Post subject: |
#3 |
Ask your instructor, they may have a say one way or the other in it. I didn't ahve my own harness until I had my own glider.
I moved from the training hanress, to the old stirrup harness after a few days towing. Then to a " to small for me" pod until I found my glider and harness. Others moved to their harness fairly quick.
The way I see it, once you have the basics down, starting to use your own harness for training is a good idea. That way you are use to it when you get your glider.
But again, ask your instructor. |
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xerxes
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Joined: 14 Apr 2007
Posts: 1313
Location: Atlanta
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| Posted: Tue Oct 02, 2007 4:43 am Post subject: |
#4 |
I'd say go for it when you're financially ready. Are you training at LMFP? For mountain solos, they start you on uprights just like the training hills, and then after a few flights you transition to prone. For aerotow you're always prone. For me it wasn't really any different than a knee-hanger, it just took a couple flights to get used to kicking into it. If you're having one made there, I'd order it right away because the lead time can be pretty hefty.
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Brian
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Joined: 05 Sep 2007
Posts: 251
Location: Newnan, GA
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| Posted: Tue Oct 02, 2007 4:53 am Post subject: |
#5 |
Guess I have the cart-before-the-horse... I have a beautiful NW Horizon waiting for me to develop the skills to fly it  I'll probably put the harness on order next trip if it's going to take a couple months. Just bought my helmet. Now, if the weather would only cooperate...
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Carpe Diem!
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NW Horizon 180 |
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FormerFF
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Joined: 28 Aug 2006
Posts: 2482
Location: Roswell, Georgia, USA
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| Posted: Tue Oct 02, 2007 5:06 am Post subject: |
#6 |
| Brian wrote: |
| Guess I have the cart-before-the-horse... I have a beautiful NW Horizon waiting for me to develop the skills to fly it I'll probably put the harness on order next trip if it's going to take a couple months. Just bought my helmet. Now, if the weather would only cooperate... |
What weather do you need for aerotow instruction? |
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HGr
Joined: 06 Sep 2007
Posts: 108
Location: Chicago, IL
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| Posted: Tue Oct 02, 2007 5:11 am Post subject: |
#7 |
| Brian, I may have missed it, but what helmet did you end up with ? |
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Mrsposer
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Joined: 13 Aug 2007
Posts: 2102
Location: Georgia
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| Posted: Tue Oct 02, 2007 5:16 am Post subject: |
#8 |
Brian....would it be possible for me to "borrow" your credit card???  |
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Brian
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Joined: 05 Sep 2007
Posts: 251
Location: Newnan, GA
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| Posted: Tue Oct 02, 2007 5:27 am Post subject: |
#9 |
FormerFF,
I went up Friday afternoon to do tandems... the wind was gusting up to 20  Dan and I went up at 9am Sunday on a tow... 1st time I've ever done negative Gs in a glider! This weekend's weather... sucked! I'm almost counting out Saturday evenings because it's so busy w/ Discovery flights.
I bought a Uvex. I got a good price on a used one and it fits like a glove... hard to find a good fit for my XL head 
Just getting my priorities right Judy... 1st flying, then kids, then wife 
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Carpe Diem!
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NW Horizon 180 |
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DocSoc
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Joined: 14 May 2007
Posts: 1881
Location: Miami Beach
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| Posted: Tue Oct 02, 2007 5:41 am Post subject: Re: When to buy a pod during training? |
#10 |
| Brian wrote: |
Hello all,
I was wondering when to purchase my own harness. Do I worry about getting my 10 mountain solos in 1st? Wait until I get my tow solo? Just wondering when is a 'good' time to start flying w/ your own pod...
I'm working on my tow solo exclusively until my quads heal and I can clear the big hill. Depending upon weather, I may tow solo in another month...
thx,
Brian |
As a new pilot or any time for that fact, you should only focus on 1 new changed thing at a time... SO... if you get a new helmet, only use it once you have been cleared with it by your instructor, same with your harness... One addition to a routine, one change, one modification? All can be done BUT one at a time...
So get to using all your stuff but but do it slowly and one at a time. I flew solo with the stuff from LMFP, then added my helmet, then the better harness at LMFP (the one with the parachute), then the vario, then the harness I bought....
it made things less overwhelming...
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Socrates
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DocSoc
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Joined: 14 May 2007
Posts: 1881
Location: Miami Beach
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| Posted: Tue Oct 02, 2007 5:46 am Post subject: |
#11 |
| Brian wrote: |
FormerFF,
I went up Friday afternoon to do tandems... the wind was gusting up to 20 Dan and I went up at 9am Sunday on a tow... 1st time I've ever done negative Gs in a glider! This weekend's weather... sucked! I'm almost counting out Saturday evenings because it's so busy w/ Discovery flights.
I bought a Uvex. I got a good price on a used one and it fits like a glove... hard to find a good fit for my XL head
Just getting my priorities right Judy... 1st flying, then kids, then wife |
Ahhhhhh Grasshopper! You are on the path to AIDS??? Aviation - Induced - Divorce - Syndrom!!!
Welcome to the club!!!!
PS: Judy if youre going to be a pilot! Money is only a state of mind!!!! Brian obviousle is a man possessed- obsessed – crazed – overcome ? Ahhhh…. Yes… he is infatuated!!!!
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Socrates
Rogallo Member USHPA
"Team Chicken Hawk" |
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Brian
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Joined: 05 Sep 2007
Posts: 251
Location: Newnan, GA
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| Posted: Tue Oct 02, 2007 5:49 am Post subject: |
#12 |
Thx Soc. I flew w/ the new helmet on tow Sunday. I'll be using that from now on. I'll work up to the new glider then new harness... damn, you reminded me about a vario! 
Side note: I actually had a dream that I was hang gliding last night. Free flight time
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Carpe Diem!
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NW Horizon 180 |
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Mrsposer
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Joined: 13 Aug 2007
Posts: 2102
Location: Georgia
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| Posted: Tue Oct 02, 2007 5:58 am Post subject: |
#13 |
Doc...I find that money is only a state of mind when it comes to motorcycles too. Well, Brian, you never answered me about the credit card. I was thinking since you are in a buying mood.......let's see I need a helmet....and.....  Of course I am only kidding , friend. |
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Brian
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Joined: 05 Sep 2007
Posts: 251
Location: Newnan, GA
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| Posted: Tue Oct 02, 2007 6:16 am Post subject: |
#14 |
Judy,
I was saving some cash up for my private pilot's license. I feel fortunate that I can indulge this addiction 'for now' without going into debt Heck, I'm spending so much time up at LM, I could always sell the motorcycle and never notice it! Beautiful motorcycle weather is also beautiful flying weather...
I'm thinking about building my own simulator at the house so I'll have something to do when the new harness comes in ;-) You and Randy can come over and my Swoooshing sounds with us!
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Carpe Diem!
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H3
NW Horizon 180 |
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Imaposer
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Joined: 09 Aug 2007
Posts: 1041
Location: Georgia
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| Posted: Tue Oct 02, 2007 6:45 am Post subject: |
#15 |
| Brian wrote: |
FormerFF,
I went up Friday afternoon to do tandems... the wind was gusting up to 20 Dan and I went up at 9am Sunday on a tow... 1st time I've ever done negative Gs in a glider! This weekend's weather... sucked! I'm almost counting out Saturday evenings because it's so busy w/ Discovery flights.
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I know what you mean about the weather! I cleared the big hill, have all my test done and was ready to solo Sunday afternoon. Gordon and Matt wanted to get me off the ramp and thought I could do it even though we had a fairly good tailwind. We had cycles of relatively calm air but it was just to variable and unpredictable for me to feel comfortable trying my first solo. The calm cycles never completely eliminated the tail wind and only lasted a few seconds before a stronger gust would come back up. There were times that I could feel the wind pressing against my back as I stood on the ramp thinking about it. I just knew I wouldn't be able to concentrate fully and truely enjoy the experience so I choose not to set up. I heard that Greg didn't get to solo either due to conditions.
I also feel your pain about the tandem problem. Everyone wants me to reclear on a tandem before my solo instead of returning to the hill but with the weather we've been having I don't know if this is going to be feasible. And with the Saturday evening discovery schedule it really hard to get one in then too.
Oh well, it's all just part of the game and we'll all have some great times ahead! |
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FormerFF
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Joined: 28 Aug 2006
Posts: 2482
Location: Roswell, Georgia, USA
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| Posted: Tue Oct 02, 2007 6:55 am Post subject: |
#16 |
| Brian wrote: |
Judy,
I was saving some cash up for my private pilot's license. I feel fortunate that I can indulge this addiction 'for now' without going into debt Heck, I'm spending so much time up at LM, I could always sell the motorcycle and never notice it! Beautiful motorcycle weather is also beautiful flying weather...
I'm thinking about building my own simulator at the house so I'll have something to do when the new harness comes in ;-) You and Randy can come over and my Swoooshing sounds with us! |
Another jacked would be General Aviation Pilot! I think for our next Spread Your Wings project, we should get trench coats and hang around GA flight schools. "Hey buddy, you want some avation? I got this thing called hang gliding ..." |
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TomGalvin
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Joined: 07 Nov 2006
Posts: 3547
Location: ............... Pagosa Springs, Colorado
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| Posted: Tue Oct 02, 2007 6:58 am Post subject: |
#17 |
| Brian wrote: |
| . damn, you reminded me about a vario! |
Vario last. Make it a H3 present to yourself. |
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curly_cue
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Joined: 10 Jun 2007
Posts: 768
Location: Atlanta, GA
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| Posted: Tue Oct 02, 2007 8:11 am Post subject: |
#18 |
| FormerFF wrote: |
| Brian wrote: |
| Guess I have the cart-before-the-horse... I have a beautiful NW Horizon waiting for me to develop the skills to fly it I'll probably put the harness on order next trip if it's going to take a couple months. Just bought my helmet. Now, if the weather would only cooperate... |
What weather do you need for aerotow instruction? |
Something besides what we had last weekend. I looked out my door and the windsock at top was flying straight off the ramp, the windsock in the LZ was headed toward one end of the field, and the flags were headed toward the other end. I decided that me and my H2 rating would stay happily camped on the couch drinking beer.  |
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Imaposer
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Joined: 09 Aug 2007
Posts: 1041
Location: Georgia
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| Posted: Tue Oct 02, 2007 8:39 am Post subject: |
#19 |
| FormerFF wrote: |
| What weather do you need for aerotow instruction? |
Well, I've lost the opportunity to aerotow train on two occasions due to weather. On my last flight Dan allowed me to control through all phases of the flight; take-off, on tow, release, practice a few tasks at altitude, box, approach and landing. Basically, they want good smooth air at all altitudes for this. Its not as important at high altitude I guess since on my last flight he actually simulated turbulence, but for take-off and while on tow you really need good air down low so as to not get into trouble.
I drove the caddy cart Sat night and watched all the launches and landings, and talked to the tandem pilots. I saw several less than stellar launches and I heard later that I missed a solo pilot break the weak link at low altitude late that evening.
Not the best environment for the new student since they most likely wouldn't even let you fly down low. |
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xerxes
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Joined: 14 Apr 2007
Posts: 1313
Location: Atlanta
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| Posted: Tue Oct 02, 2007 10:50 am Post subject: |
#20 |
| Imaposer wrote: |
| I saw several less than stellar launches and I heard later that I missed a solo pilot break the weak link at low altitude late that evening. |
Damn, I was hoping nobody saw that 
Actually I got the rope. I had one of my leg loops a lot tighter than the other, which put me into a turn. Everything was good as I was lifting off, then as I picked up enough speed to gain some altitude, I just got blasted off to the side. I went from thinking that maybe I was drifting, to lockout in under 2 seconds. The tug cut me loose, I dropped the rope, and had to do a neat voodoo-dance to get down safely. Before I realized that my harness was unbalanced, I followed up with a tow on the student falcon (this was my first try on a DS), and was controlling probably 5 inches to the left just to keep it straight! I got to land that one by starlight, which was very weird.
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