New Pilot

All things flight-related for Hang Glider and Paraglider pilots: flying plans, site info, weather, flight reports, etc. Newcomers always welcome!

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matt
Posts: 3
Joined: Thu Oct 11, 2007 10:18 am
Location: Arlington, VA

New Pilot

Post by matt »

Hey Folks,
I'm a new P2 and also somewhat new to the area. I'm hoping to find some people to fly with and show me the sites so if you don't mind me tagging along give me a call. Even if it's a site I can't fly I'd be happy to practice my kiting. Weekdays tend to be best for me but I can squeeze in the occasional weekend too.
Thanks and I look forward to meeting you all.
matt ballal
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eggzkitz
Posts: 368
Joined: Tue Aug 29, 2006 10:48 pm
Location: McLean, Virginia

Re: New Pilot

Post by eggzkitz »

Matt,

Welcome!!! Where did you move from?

When I moved here from California (summer of 2006), I was initially worried my flying would be at a standstill, but I met up with a bunch of the CHGPA pilots (who are incredibly friendly and nice!) and have been having a blast. We flew hogback today and it was pretty good. I launched, only wanted to go up, made it up to 6k, my hands froze solid, I only wanted to be on the ground, landed, then thawed out my ice fingers trying to hold back the waves of nausea. The better pilots (Tom and Juan) flew cross country to lord knows where. Lazzlo cruised around forever. So the flying is good here when it is good. You just need some good beta from the local experts.

Call me anytime with questions: 808-779-5759. I only fly on weekends, but many of the diehards (particularly Lazzlo) fly often on weekdays. I'm sure others who are more knowledgeable than I will also chime in.

Best,
Jeff
Jeff Eggers
CHGPA President
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FCC KK4QMQ
hang_pilot
Posts: 662
Joined: Thu Jan 06, 2005 11:13 pm
Location: Tallahassee, FL

Re: New Pilot

Post by hang_pilot »

Hi, Matt-

Welcome to our little corner of free flying heaven! Like Jeff said, I think you'll find the pilots here friendly and happy to help a new pilot grow in the sport while having a great time.

As a P2, you’ll need to connect with an observer to fly the local mountain sites. Send me an e-mail at dbrox@gwu.edu and I’ll send you contact info for the observer’s as well as a site guide. The sites most frequently flown by paragliding pilots in our area and open to P2’s are Daniel’s, Woodstock, Pulpit and Bill’s Hill. Our primary training hills are Taylor Farm, Smithsburg and Oregon Ridge.

Hope to fly with you soon!

Best,
Daniel
Matthew
Posts: 1982
Joined: Tue Feb 01, 2005 1:10 pm
Location: Tacky Park

Re: New Pilot

Post by Matthew »

Hi Matt,

Welcome ot the area. If you aren't busy on Saturday, come on down and meet some fellow pilots at the Kite Festival on Saturday-- next to the Washington Monument in DC. If winds are good, a few of use will be kiting our paragliders.

Also, as Daniel noted, most of our sites require an Observer for P2s-- we have many! And some sites, such as the ones along Skyline Drive (Hogback, Dickies and Miller's Head) require a min rating of P3 and a permit from the National Park Sevice, which costs $50.

Matthew Graham
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matt
Posts: 3
Joined: Thu Oct 11, 2007 10:18 am
Location: Arlington, VA

Re: New Pilot

Post by matt »

Thanks for all the info. I may be able to make it to the kite festival. I'm sure you guys won't be hard to find on the mall.

Jeff, where in California are you from? My wife and I moved from there as well. We lived in Placerville and before that Bakersfield. Unfortunately I didn't fly then so I missed out.
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