Hang-gliding Carmona, Philippines

[mcelrah]

Hang gliding has completely died out here; I have the only operational one in the country. Paragliding group is maybe a dozen, most had never seen one before. Finally got to fly it today (got it delivered and assembled it about a month ago). Carmona is only 250 feet high, but boy does it work with 15 mph straight in during the "dry season" east wind. Two flights in conditions that were challenging for some paragliders - they have been trying speedwings, but mostly just get sleds with them. First flight since assembling the Falcon III from short-pack - yep, guess I put it together correctly. Also my first foot-launches and stand-up landings (well, trying to stay on my feet) in 10 months. First flight was only 10 minutes or so, but second was 70 minutes with climbs to 400 feet over launch, landed because I was tired and dehydrated (90s and severe clear). Made a bunch of believers from the paragliding group (I flew my paraglider here Wednesday in slightly lighter but still somewhat challenging launch conditions for PG). Funny: at 650 feet back home, I'm unzipping and preparing to land; here it was the top of lift (small thermals from condo farm out front blowing across huge field with Brahma cattle to the small ridge). Nice views of high-rises back in downtown Manila. Miss you guys - back in October. Pictures coming.
- Hugh

[sailin]

That's awesome Hugh! Hope you planted some HG seeds with your flights and it will be reborn out there! Congrats on the foot launches and landings. Looking forward to flying with you when you get home. Should be peeeerrrrtyy here with some fall foilage that will be just right for a welcome home flight.

Jon

[John Dullahan]

Hugh,

Delighted to know you are in flying trim again. Kudos to you as the "lone ranger" hangie there, and giving the paraglider pilots a show in strong conditions (for them). We miss you here and eagerly anticipate your return to the DC flying community. Give our best to Sally.

John