clinic

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Lauren Tjaden
Posts: 371
Joined: Tue Mar 01, 2005 6:27 pm

clinic

Post by Lauren Tjaden »

I am already tired after one day in the clinic. I will toughen up as I go, I'm sure. I flew my little task of a ten mile cross wind out and back flight successfully, but it took me 2 hours to do it, fighting the stiff wind. Actually you were supposed to do this twice, but it was getting late (after 4) so I landed after the first trip. Ha, Tom and Linda made it back both times. Linda noted that she landed right when I did. Yup. The longest 10 miles I ever flew.
Curt ended up flying with me most of the way since one of our team wasn't good enough to tow in the conditions and one got lost, another couldn't fly for some reason. Curt was remarkably good natured given the fact he had to circle and wait while I floundered around the sky, and try to explain via radio which way was north to another of our group (oh, you are doing great, Lauren -- this is while I am nursing zero sink at 1600 feet a half mile from Quest-- and, Jason, if you are at Seminole you need to turn around, you have flown too far). He gave me lots of good advice. I should be pushed out more while thermaling. Fly slower.
I think most of my decisions are OK, though, or at least reasonable. Not all. Frankly, the performance of my glider is not much compared to most of these sleek machines. Obviously many of the pilots have a higher skill level -- some much higher-- but my glide puts me low quickly, and I need to fly conservatively.
I learned more about flying in lift while other gliders are above me, too. When I look up and try to follow other pilots, I am at my very worst. Nearly decked it early due to this. I should just use them in general, be aware, and then feel my glider.
Later, Curt spent another half an hour or more discussing the flight with me. Really nice guy. I am going to get to fly with lots of the top pilots this week. Flying lectures go on through dinner. Paris spoke last night. (Paul brought me some chicken breast to eat so I could avoid the pizza, he is just amazingly helpful, thanks Paul). Gotta go fill up the camelback now!
Lauren
padamez
Posts: 28
Joined: Tue Feb 08, 2005 7:57 pm
Location: Glen Burnie, MD.

Post by padamez »

20 miles cross wind, that's very impressive Lauren! Thanks for your progress report, I'm learning from them.
Paul Adamez
mcelrah
Posts: 2323
Joined: Thu Jan 06, 2005 11:30 pm

clinic

Post by mcelrah »

Hi Lauren! Dang, that Sport 2 is still crispy and you already want a
new glider! Ha ha! Hurry back and teach me everything you've learned
this winter. - Hugh

On 11 Apr 2005, at 07:16, Lauren Tjaden wrote:

> I am already tired after one day in the clinic. I will toughen up as I
> go, I'm sure. I flew my little task of a ten mile cross wind out and
> back flight successfully, but it took me 2 hours to do it, fighting
> the stiff wind. Actually you were supposed to do this twice, but it
> was getting late (after 4) so I landed after the first trip. Ha, Tom
> and Linda made it back both times. Linda noted that she landed right
> when I did. Yup. The longest 10 miles I ever flew.
> Curt ended up flying with me most of the way since one of our team
> wasn't good enough to tow in the conditions and one got lost, another
> couldn't fly for some reason. Curt was remarkably good natured given
> the fact he had to circle and wait while I floundered around the sky,
> and try to explain via radio which way was north to another of our
> group (oh, you are doing great, Lauren -- this is while I am nursing
> zero sink at 1600 feet a half mile from Quest-- and, Jason, if you are
> at Seminole you need to turn around, you have flown too far). He gave
> me lots of good advice. I should be pushed out more while thermaling.
> Fly slower.
> I think most of my decisions are OK, though, or at least reasonable.
> Not all. Frankly, the performance of my glider is not much compared to
> most of these sleek machines. Obviously many of the pilots have a
> higher skill level -- some much higher-- but my glide puts me low
> quickly, and I need to fly conservatively.
> I learned more about flying in lift while other gliders are above me,
> too. When I look up and try to follow other pilots, I am at my very
> worst. Nearly decked it early due to this. I should just use them in
> general, be aware, and then feel my glider.
> Later, Curt spent another half an hour or more discussing the flight
> with me. Really nice guy. I am going to get to fly with lots of the
> top pilots this week. Flying lectures go on through dinner. Paris
> spoke last night. (Paul brought me some chicken breast to eat so I
> could avoid the pizza, he is just amazingly helpful, thanks Paul).
> Gotta go fill up the camelback now!
> Lauren
>
>
>
>
>
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