Milestones made a Highland today!

[rasmussenv]

And you scratch your head in wonder. Highland? Today? Winds were light and thermal forecast sucked! And you'd be right!

So it was a perfect day for me to have my maiden flight in my new (to me) Sport 2 155. And a wing with great lineage - starting with Steve Kinsely, to Ellis, to Hugh.

In soft north wind and little thermal activity around 4:30 I had a smooth tow (with fin attached) and even caught a BIT of lift (but had the sound turned off until I noticed I was staying up - I hadn't wanted the distraction while I experienced the differences in the glider). There are a lot. I was amazed at how little sink I experienced - relative to what I was used to in the Falcon. I was flying (and ultimately landing) at 1/4 VG (per Sunny's suggestion) after towing at 1/2 VG. I'm still assimilating all the sensory differences. It makes me nervous - but all was fine. It will just take a while before I feel like I know what to expect and how it handles. I landed well (in that I didn't overshoot available field - the flare was weak and I went down on a knee in the wet field). Further, I planned a landing that had plenty of room and was, as expected, astounded by how far after my turn to final I touched down. Landing was not as ugly as some I've had in my Falcon - no whack down - and since I was taking in so many sensations - sensing trim - slightly worrying - that I guess I should be happy. I just wonder how long it will take to feel like I instinctively know and can anticipate how actions will feel. I'll want a BIG field for a while.

SO! For me, all in all a hallmark day - a move to advancement that I NEVER thought I would make (what a lesson Hang Gliding has been in teaching me never to say never). I am going to Team Challenge in a month, but don't know if I'll get enough air time or landing experience to use this glider by then - but I'll take it with me.

ANOTHER MILESTONE!!! Having learned at the CHGPA meeting last Thursday evening that Hugh was selling his Sport 2 (in anticipation of his move to the Philippines for a year with Sally's transfer) and deciding to buy it, I offered to let him use my Falcon with it's nice big wheels to belly in if he wanted to fly when we did the Sport 2 exchange. He needed to get out to Ridgely to have his Tandem shipped (he's sold all his gliders now). The belly option (and big wheels) was key since he's not ready to stress his legs / spine with a stand up landing. So, Hugh had his first Hang Gliding flight since his accident this spring! In fact he had two flights - and got a little lift in the second - but it wasn't a day to stay up and fly forever.

[mingram]

Where's the "Like" button? Congrats to both of you!

[jyoder111]

Congrats! Way to get back on the horse, Hugh!

[sailin]

congrats on the new wing Valerie....they are sweet flying gliders!!!!

jon

[John Simon]

Great news on both accounts! Enjoy your new glider... Hugh!!!! Awesome, welcome back to the sky.

John