Ridgely Sunday

[Matthew]

An unexpectedly good day at Ridgely. We left home late (11am) and had to leave the flight park by 5pm to get home by 6:30 to check on an ailing cat. It was a totally blue day with a lousy blipmap forecast. So I didn't bother to bring my glider. I called and Adam said I could rent the medium Sport 2. Thus, I'd save an hour of set-up and breakdown time. Karen and I arrived to find Joe Gregor just finishing up with the Sport 2 and John Simon claimed dibs on it. He, however, was planning on a few pattern tows as he was just getting back into the air. Thus, I helped Karen set up her glider. If no one was getting up, I wouldn't bother flying. John, of course, got up from the pattern tow and I had to forget getting my hands on the Sport 2 as he flew for well over two hours. Glider hog!!!! I lent my vario to David Churchill so I could borrow his glider after his flight. Of course, he got up too-- as did Karen and everyone else.... except maybe Tad. Thus, I was stranded on the ground with no glider. About an hour later, everyone came down (even John). Karen said I could take her glider up for a spin, saving me the 20 dollar rental fee. I figured it would be a short flight. But it turned on and I flew for about 90 minutes, landing on purpose so we could meet our departure deadline. Spent most of the time flying with David Churchill (on his second flight). Steve K also enjoyed the late day air and Tad flew twice while David and I were in the air. Heather Simon also had some nice flights, Ridgely Bob had a good flight and several on the new Ridgely pilots were doing great.

Matthew

[davidtheamazing1]

Seemed like the lift was pretty light, smooth and everywhere! It was fun pirouetting in the thermals with you and the crew. Hope your kitty is better.

[John Simon]

Hi all,
First... sorry to Matthew for hogging that nice little glider. I did not intend to get high but the air was basically ridiculous. Numerous times I flew out of lift to get low and set a landing only to hit something so sweet I couldn't resist. After a while I got tired as this was my first soaring flight since my busted arm(s) and my left arm is still pretty wimpy. I tried to rest it in the air but soon realized I should just land. Flew for just less than 1.5 hours even though I'm sure it felt like a lot more to Mattew. I'm happy he got in a great flight as well. The air was just wonderful and there were many firsts or longests being had by some of our newer pilots. Great day with light winds.
I had to work Saturday night so missed the overnight festivities at Hi Rock, next year I'll be back. Hope everyone had fun. It's nice to be back in the air.


John

[KirkLewis]

I certainly had a blast! I didn't have a watch so I can only guess at how long I was up. It was over an hour but how much I can't say. Much longer than anything I've done before. I was the first to take off, I didn't think the lift would be working quite so soon, but any airtime is good airtime for me so I gave it a shot. I was pleasantly surprised by a thermal shortly after releasing from tow. I got the highest there than the rest of my flight. The lift was so light at times that at one point I flew through the edge of a thermal that came out as mostly light sink on my vario and only gave a short beep... but I had noticed birds circling there earlier and so decided to search the area a bit. Then I found it! I felt like I'd outsmarted it =P It was also great experience to notice little things like dry grass falling out of the air and knowing a thermal must be nearby.

I also entertained people with my foot landing attempts. Mostly I flared too early and hard, often landing me on my but. But my last one was perfect so maybe I'm getting the hang of it. I really like landing on my feet... it's a totally different feeling than landing on wheels. You feel like a super hero or something =P

[lbunner]

WOOOOHOOOOO John! Another step in your long road to recovery is complete. Hang gliding is the best PT for your arm, cheaper and alot less painful. Keep it up. Can't wait to fly with you soon.

Bun

[Paul Tjaden]

Hey Simon.......Good to hear that you are back in the sky. I know it's been a long time to sit and watch. No Fun!!!! Now I'm sitting it out while my shoulder surgery heals but I'm going to fill the time learning to fly a Tug and getting current in sail planes again.
BTW, I saw a boat down in the Keys last week that you should buy. It was named "Beer Necessities."

Come see us when your down this way.

Paul

[John Simon]

Hey Bun and Paul,
thank you... Great to be slowly moving forward and UP! I'll surely be flying with both of you next spring. Paul, maybe before that as Heather and I plan a trip south during the winter as usual to steal some airtime. I hope your shoulder comes along quickly, mine had been a touch slow to recover but everday is really much better now.

Take care,

John