salute to Chad

[Lauren Tjaden]

On this most unhappy of aniversaries, I'd like to recognize some of what my first instructor, Chad, did for me. He died in 2003 on this day at Quest.
Chad influenced me a lot. 9/11 happened right after I my first couple of tandem flights. I tried scooter towing at another facility (because planes were not allowed to fly at Highland). I became frightened as I crashed numerous times and did not understand how the glider worked or how to fly it upright.
Later, when Highland re-opened, I said I didn't think I wanted to fly anymore. Chad totally re-rigged the tandem glider for me so we could fly side-by-side, and I could fly upright at altitude. I still remember his demonstration of how the glider turned (in the office with the demo that dangled from the ceiling), and how he told me I never needed to be afraid again. I would have probably quit flying at that point if it weren't for him.
Later, when I began to footlaunch, I was frusterated because in my first lesson, I was stuck at the bottom of the hill running on the flat with a bunch of new pilots, while the guys (some of whom had never had high flights) got to launch from the top of it. (This was simply the way it came down. Our instructor was competent and kind, and not really to blame.)
When I told Chad, he gave me the Target to lease for the winter. That way, I would never have to share a glider, or be held back by others. A couple of months later, I snagged my first mountain flight at Jacks (thanks, BVH) and soared for 2 hours.
These simple kindnesses changed my life. I've gotten to accomplish more than I would have ever thought possible, including competing with great pilots, and getting my own instructor and tandem rating. It gives me pleasure to think in my own miniscule way that I can contribute to other pilots and the sport.
It's tradition for Lisa and I to go out and pour a bottle of Jim Beam in the field for Chad on this day. I just wish we could drink it with him in person instead of in spirit.
Lauren

[Dan T]

I am sure that all of us who knew him miss him.

Lauren,

Your eulogy was moving. I should be so lucky as to have someone speak half as kindly of me some day.

[jimrooney]

Prost!

Jim

[hefalump]

I miss him too.

One evening in Summer 2002 and all the flying was done, I asked Chad "how do you Thermal " without any further prompting he scratched a circle into the ground and said "imagine that's the thermal" with arms streched (and beer in hand) he then proceeded to fly in and out of the thermal explaining to me what it would feel like and what to do. It all began to make sence.

The very next time I flew, the following weekend, I flew for 2 hours and 2 minutes. It was my first thermal flight and everything was as Chad explained. I cored it and climbed to just under a mile high and in my mind I could see Chad with his arms streched wide (beer in hand) showing just what to do and when.

I still think of him every time I catch a thermal.

JD

[Flying Lobster]

Chad was an exceptional human in many ways. One area that really set him apart, in my mind, was his talent as a tug pilot--despite the fact that can be a rather tedious task for some. More so than any other tug pilot I've been behind,Chad instinctively knew where to go for the best lift--and didn't mind getting you there fast. When Chad waived me off-whether we had topped out at 2.5 K or lower--I always knew that the best core of a good thermal was a mere bank of the wing away most of the time. : )

marc