First Solo Aero Tow Flight

[g.sessa]

I had the opportunity Thursday evening to take my first solo aero tow flight (and actually second and third as well)! I arrived at Highland around 5 pm, thankful the clouds and rain out west did move into the area. Filled with anticipation, I proceeded to set up my glider and met with Adam for help with rigging the primary and secondary releases. Once set up, Adam and I did one short tandem flight as reassurance that I would be capable of flying solo. The green light was given and I got very excited! But, before being released on my own, Sunny test flew my glider and made a few adjustments to the set up. Now I was ready!!!

Anxious and a bit nervous, I pushed the glider onto the runway. Although, my nerves seemed to settle as I laid down and prepared to launch, thinking of the advice Adam and Sunny had provided in preparation for my first solo flight. I grabbed the bar and with a helpful wave of a hand, I was off!!

The glider began to lift off the cart. The feeling was a lot different from the tandem glider I had flown previously. The lighter weight made me feel more susceptible to unstable air. The right wing kept wanting to rise as I began to lift off, but I fought against it. And after a bit of turbulence, most likely due to the prop wash during take off, it was smooth flying all the way up to 2500 feet. The slight haze in the sky did make it a bit more difficult to see the horizon clearly, however, I still managed to stay behind the plane.

The flight was fun! Knowing I wasn’t going to find much to keep me aloft, I figured I should have some fun (and get a better feel for the glider in light conditions). Also, considering I wanted to practice more takeoffs, losing altitude quickly didn’t seem like a bad idea. I stalled the glider several times. I started small and then extended the bar as far as possible. I did this both while flying straight and in turns. It was both fun and a great learning experience!!

I landed on my feet, but the landing caught me a bit by surprise. I seemed to have momentarily forgotten that it’s a good idea to flare hard and move your feet in very light conditions. But it was safe and successful. I then prepared for my next flight.

The next two flights were successful and very similar to the first (thus no need to detail the experience). Overall it was a great night and I was stoked to have completed 3 successful solo aero tow flights!! I would like to thank the crew at Highland, especially Sunny and Adam for helping me to get to this stage in my flying career!! Their advice and training was very helpful and encouraging!! It was great fun and I’m looking forward to my next aero tow outing…

The video should be attached.

Cheers,
Greg

[DanTuck]

Greg,
Nice job! Congratulations. You are moving right along, I need to catch up!
I also liked your 'learning to fly' video, very nice.
Now all you need is an HD camera. You didn't think hang gliding would be cheap, did you?!

[mikel]

CONGRATULATIONS ![/b]

Way to go Greg ! It's nice to see new excited pilots join us...

Welcome....

Mike

[mcelrah]

Congratulations and thanks for the great video. I am pointing this out to Fabienne van Cappel, who is lining up for a course at Highland. - Hugh

[brianvh]

Just curious since I'm out of the area...you mentioned knowing how to flare, was this from the training hill or was it scooter tow?

[g.sessa]

Just curious since I'm out of the area...you mentioned knowing how to flare, was this from the training hill or was it scooter tow?

I started on the training hills with Silver Wings.

[kcarra]

Congrats Greg! I liked the part in the video where you had trouble stuffing your bridle away. Happens to me all of the time!

Karen

[silverwings]

Re: stuffing bridle away - I just loop it over my neck and it stays out of the way for me.

[KirkLewis]

Congratulations! Look forward to flying with you