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August Update |
Mon Aug 11, 2008 5:13 pm
Well, figured it was time to update the blog again. Not much flying going on in the last few months. Only got to fly once last month, got a few scooter tows in and 1 extended flight out of the bunch. It was pretty cool being there when a local TV reporter got to take a Tandem Aerotow with our local instructor for a segment they were doing for a local morning news show. I am still getting use to the new Z5 harness. Still have to make a effort to remember to unzip when approaching the field, guess my old harness spoiled me but I think I will grow to like the new Z5 once I get some more hours under my belt.
I did order some new prescription sun glasses from wally world and have got a chance to fly with them several times now. I normally wear bifocals but I could not get the glasses I wanted in a bifocal so I got them for distance, which is more of what I was worried about. I have always had trouble from altitude telling what crops were in the fields below me. The new glasses have worked well in that respect and I think that they will come in handy when I decide to finally do my first no return cross country flight.
There were a bunch of people at the field Saturday but I had other commitments and could not stay. I did drop by to pick up a few club shirts that I ordered, but had to leave to head to columbus.
I did get out Sunday morning for a little while. I managed to get one more aero tow under my belt before I had to leave for more commitments. This was only my 4th aerotow. Wind was almost 90 degree's cross the runway so we set up 45 degrees to the main runway. I decided I wanted to tow without the stab this time. After waiting a while for the wind finally cleared to launch. A long roll out on the cart across a very bumpy field then finally off the cart. Right wing dropped immediately after leaving the cart, but I was on top of it really quick. First 300 feet of the tow I find myself in a little PIO. I relaxed and lightened my control inputs and all was good. Rest of the tow was pretty uneventful. Pretty textured air for sure and a faster tow than I was used to. Pinned off a little over 2000 FT AGL in what I thought might be a decent thermal, but after 3 or 4 360's it was gone. After landing and talking to our tug pilot he said he was flying a little faster than normal because of the conditions. I do not know how accurate my airspeed indicator is on the new 6030 but it recorded between 38-42 during the tow, mostly in the 40's.
I always try to look back and learn something from every flight. As far as the PIO goes, I think flying without the Stab made the control inputs easier than what I have been used to. I am a little under weight for my glider anyways, and with the stab I really had to get aggressive with my control inputs to get the glider to do what I wanted. I think think flying without it for the first time I was still using those agressive inputs. Once I settled in and lightened up my inputs the PIO issue went away. I always hated flying the glider with the fin on because it was much harder to turn. Glad I am past that now.
Also got some great advice from Larry, one of our local more experienced pilots. I really appreciate all the helpful advice he and other more experienced pilots have to offer. I always put my brain in sponge mode when I am around these guys so I can soak up as much info as possible.
Had to call it a day after the one tow as I promised the better half I would be home by 1:00PM. Ended up with only the one tow but it was great to get a little air time anyways.
Gary
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Wesmar 5-10-2008 |
Sun May 11, 2008 1:14 pm
[  Mood: Happy ]
Figured it was time to add a current entry to my blog. With the exception of a dust devil that came through and tossed several gliders around like toothpicks it was a great day at the field. Lots of pilots showed up and we had aerotow and scooter operations in full swing. Things started out slow and my first 2 scooter tows were nothing more than extended sled rides. I knew it was turning on when I watched Steve555 release from tow, turn left and immediately start to climb. Thog was next and he did just as well. After the jump plane took off and the dust devil passed it was my turn. Had my highest tow of the day at 1100 AGL. Turned down wind and found some light lift. At first the lift was light and tight but it got better as I gained more altitude. Eventually cored some 500-600 FPM and was on my way up to join the others.
The higher I got the colder I got. I did not launch with gloves on but I told myself I would not try to put on my gloves until I was near cloudbase. Finally topped out just above 5000 AGL and was in 1000 FPM up. Fear of getting sucked up in a cloud had me diving for the downwind side of the cloud to get out of the lift. After fumbling around with numb hands I finally managed to get my side pouch unzipped and get my gloves put on. At this point I was nearing 5 points debating on whether or not I should head off to Deer Creek state park(visible in the picture). Since about everyone was already up I decided to play it safe and stay within glide back to the field.
Went ahead and flew to 5 points and had fun boating around in the abundant lift. After about a hour I was freezing and my back was starting to hurt so I decided it was time to head back for the field. This was the first time I actually had trouble getting back down. Made a run towards Darbyville and then back towards the field. Had fun burning off altitude doing full speed runs with full VG and banking and cranking in some sink. The warmer temps as I neared the field were a welcome relief.
All in all a great day with great friends. Congrats to CHassan who had a awesome XC adventure, Steve555 who had a flight over 2-1/2 hours long, to Thog who managed a great flight as well, outlasting my meager 1:21 minute flight and all the others present that had great flights.
This was the first soaring flight with my new Z5. I need to look at the boot to see if I can shape the insert to keep my toes from being pointed down during flight. I found my calfs and toes were cramping bad at the end of the flight. I also found out that my new HD1000 stops recording after the file size reaches 4GB  . I was only able to capture a little over an hour of video of my last flight. Lastly, like Steve555 I think it is time to order a set of bar mitts. My fingertips are still hurting as I type this entry.
GNelson
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2007 Recap |
Thu Dec 06, 2007 5:09 pm
It has meant so much for me to be able to get back into the air this year. After almost 7 years without flying the urge finally overcame me and I gave in. It has been a little over 3 years since I had back surgery and I got a nice bonus at the first of the year so I ordered a new Wills Wing Sport 2 135. I must admit that I was alot more rusty than I thought I would be. It took much longer to get back to where I was felt comfortable in my abilities again than I thought it would. Having a local field to go scooter tow at was great. It made the journey back much easier, safer and enjoyable.
In July I was able to purchase a Sanyo HD1A video camera to record most of my flights since then. This was also a big help and allowed me to to anaylze my flights after the fact and aided in the relearning process. It also allows me to escape at work during my breaks, being able to cue up a video and do a little virtual flying for a few minutes.
I've had many memoriable flights this year and I look forward to many more next year. I've set a few goals for next year since this year is quickly coming to a end.
1. Earn my H3 rating
2. Get my aerotow rating
3. Start doing some cross country flying
4. Brush up on my footlauching skills
5. Finally get at least one flight off Lookout Mountain
A few weeks ago I ordered a new Z5 harness in anticipation of trying some XC flying next year. I love the HE cocoon harness I currently have but it lacks the storage required for XC flying. I will keep it for ridge flying and flying at the local field. Hopefully we will be blessed with a few more warm days this year so I can get a little more airtime in before it finally gets too cold. I also have just received my new video camera, a Sanyo HD1000 and I look forward to puting it through the paces as soon as the weather gods cooperate.
Gary
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Even More |
Tue Feb 06, 2007 6:46 pm
While at the outer banks I decided to take a tandem flight to get some airtime. It was in the northern outer banks just outside corolla. I cannot remember the gentlemen’s name I flew with but it was a great experience. Towed up right on the beach using a 4wd truck. The scenery was breathtaking and that flight made me more determined to continue to train. When I returned home from my vacation I continued to train on the comet for a while. After a while I longed for a better glider. Something newer and up to date. With the approval of my instructor I ordered a new WW Spectrum from Matt at Lookout. When I found out the date it was suppose to arrive I made arrangements to make the trip there to spend a week flying my new glider and training so I could fly from the mountain. I already had my H2 by that time but was told I would need to demonstrate my skills on the training hills there and be taught the proper techniques for a mountain launch. I got the call when the glider was to arrive so I packed up the truck and headed for the south.
When I got there I checked in at the shop and they said the glider was not there yet, but it should be there tomorrow. I proceeded to pay for a camping spot and get camp set up. The next day I headed up the hill in the morning. Matt suggested a go out with the morning class to the training hill so their instructors could watch me do some flying on one of their gliders to verify my H2 rating. I agreed, as this seemed better than sitting around waiting on the truck with my glider. I went to the training hill and met up with the instructors. They set me up with a glider and asked me to do a few launches and landings from the small hill. After doing a few they told me to go over to the big hill and do a few flights to demonstrate my turns, etc.. I proceeded over to the big hill and made a couple of flights. After the second one they said that was fine and said I was good to go. I went back up the hill and talked to Matt. He put a trace on the glider and found out it was in a depot a few states over. It was obvious it was not going to arrive that day so I took the opportunity to drive to Atlanta to spend the evening with my sister who lives there.
I came back the following morning and still no glider. This continued until my last day there. Finally out of frustration, Matt sent one of his employees with a truck to get my glider. I know the delivery issue was not their fault and Matt was trying very hard to get the glider to me before I left. It finally arrived and it was whisked away to the shop for an inspection, then over to launch for a test flight. I watched them test fly my new wing and rode down with them to go retrieve the test pilot and my glider. We then drove the glider to the training hill so I could practice launching and landing my new wing. Launching and landing the Spectrum was easy compared to my old comet. Just as I finished stowing the glider the rain let loose and continued for the rest of that day and the following morning. I had my new wing but would not have the chance to fly off the mountain with it. One of these days I look forward to returning there to get my flight in off the mountain. Here is a picture of the glider I took while it was set up at the training hill right before the rain let loose.
And one from my tandem flight
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Continued |
Mon Feb 05, 2007 7:39 pm
After many more weekends at the local training hills. I had the urge to buy my first wing. I wanted to be able to go to the training hills without my instructor to continue to practice my launch and landings. My instructor gave me a led on an older used Cumulus. Yep, one of the oldies with the wing wires that supported the leading edges. I picked it up for I believe $150.00 from a local who had quit flying. The first chance I got I was off to the training hill with it to get some practice in. I attempt in vain to fly this thing but it seems to have a mind of its own, turning by itself and a real handful in the air. I call my instructor and he advises me to wait and he will look at it during our next training session. The next good weekend, I meet up with my instructor and he test fly’s the glider and tries to make some adjustments to the wing wires. After a while he gives up and says I have no business on this glider. He proceeds to nickname it the squirrel and feeling bad that he had recommended it he offers to buy it from me for what I paid for it. I often wander what happen to that glider. I assume it was salvaged for parts or a nice HG rack for someone’s vehicle. 
After a little more searching a local flyer said he knew were I could get a used Comet in good shape. It wasn’t long before I had this glider and proceeded to continue my learning on this glider. This was the first double surface glider I had flown. It was a lot easier to handle than the “Squirrel”. I spent a lot of time practicing with this glider at our local training hills. With a week’s vacation time coming and the glider loaded on the truck I headed back to the outer banks with the wife. I spent all the flyable mornings and evenings on the dunes practicing my launching and landing techniques. I felt I really learned a lot during this week and that I was finally getting a handle on the new glider. There are a few things that stick out in my mind about the comet. First off, it was heavy compared to other gliders I have owned since. Secondly, the wing had a lot of flop from side to side when standing ready to launch. I eventually got used to this but it is very awkward at first. Lastly when comparing this glider to some of the newer ones I have flown, the comet is like driving a truck without power steering and the newer gliders are like driving sports cars with power steering. The comet took much more input from me to turn than the newer gliders (more on that later). I remember at times having to hang all my weight on a down tube to get the glider to turn. Again, I became used to this but it would a hard habit to break later on when I got my next glider. Here is a old scan from a Polaroid of my first Comet. I have some old videotape lying around here that I am in the process of converting to digital. When I get that finished I will post a video or two taken during that vacation learning how to fly the comet on the dunes.
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Hang Giding |
Mon Feb 05, 2007 6:28 pm
[ Mood: Happy ]
Some of my fondest memories as a child growing up were the many vacations our family took to the outer banks in North Carolina. I recall watching the hang gliders fly at jockey’s ridge state park and thought how awesome it would be to fly like a bird. Fast forward many years later. I'm now married and on a trip to the outer banks again with my wife. Seeing the gliders flying again while visiting rekindles a flame to fly. Once I arrive home I start searching the web to find out more about hang gliding. After a little research I find out to my surprise that there is a hang gliding instructor not to far away from me here in Ohio. After a phone call or two the date is set and I am to meet my instructor on the training hill about 40 minutes from my house.
Finally the weekend was here and it was time to find out what hang gliding was all about. I drove to the training hill and met up with my instructor. It’s been so many years ago I do not remember exactly what year it was, but I’m guessing it was between 1990 and 1992. I was excited to be starting my training and to experience flight for the first time. My instructors name was Mario. To this day I have the utmost respect for him. He was a great instructor that placed a great deal of emphasis on safety. I learned a lot from him over the next few years and always valued his opinion. I do not remember every detail from each of my training sessions but there are a few things that stand out. I remember having trouble learning a good solid launch technique, and was usually jumping into the glider before it was ready to fly. To this day I do not know why it was so hard for me to pick up on this. Then my instructor gave me some very simple, yet effective advice. He said I should pick a spot at the bottom of the hill and run for it as fast as I can. Do not even think about flying, just try to run down the hill as fast as you can without letting the glider get ahead of you. The next launch attempt I did just that, slow built up my speed and ran down the hill as fast as I could. Before I know it I was running and my feet were no longer touching the ground. I was finally flying. I do not know why this has stuck in my memory for all these years but it was a technique I continued to use for years to come.
Here is a picture of me on one of the local training hills with the first glider I ever flew. Forgive the picture quality, my scanner is not the best in the world.
(To be continued)
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