Balloon dodging at Highland (part 1)

[Ward Odenwald]

While the Sky-gods and XC-maniacs were out dodging hawks last Sunday, the Wantabes were busy honing and/or “scraping the rust off” their flying skills at Ridgely. Here’s some photos taken by Ran Baron of one of my pattern flights using John Middleton’s Falcon (thanks again John).

Ward

[Ward Odenwald]

Here's the rest of the pattern tow.

[mcelrah]

Looks like there's not much rust to scrape... - Hugh

[Danny Brotto]

Ward flying a Falcon? Damn boy, get out the Sensor!

Danny Brotto

[lbunner]

Ward, glad to see you are back on your feet again.

[markc]

Congrats on the solo's Ward, welcome back to the air!

And wow, the photos of you with the balloon are just great

MarkC

[RichH]

Congrats Ward..I got 2 soaring flights in yesterday off a truck tow ..Light thermal conditions..it was great to crank and bank again...Rich

[Dan T]

That balloon was at Highland on Saturday and Sunday. Saturday afternoon I got to fly around it while on approach to land. The balloon was inflated but the basked was still on the ground. They got a pretty good show of a glider twisting and turning around them setting up for final in what was at that moment a rather technical field.

The day was capped with a good landing and a memorable late afternoon flight.

Dan T