The weather was wonderful all weekend. The cooler temps and low humidity made camping out at Blue Sky Flight Park a joy. Scott and I got down here Friday night and camped out in the bunkhouse both Friday and Saturday night. It was so nice to be surrounded by cool air at night. The temps dipped low enough at night that we actually had to wrap ourselves in blankets for the first time in months.
This morning, we slept in... not waking up 'til 7AM. We had a light breakfast and then headed down to the glider storage shed. Steve Wendt had already pulled out the glider I'd be using; a Will Wing Falcon 195. He handed me a basetube and asked if I still remembered how to set a glider up. I smiled and set to work. Falcons are such a joy to set up; only a few battens, easy haul back, and no hassles with a VG line (something I invariably have to futz with when I set up my Moyes Litesport). After I finished setting up and pre-flighting it, I walked over to where Steve was giving a couple of new students their ground school. Once they were done, we picked up our gliders and walked over to the field.
As soon as Steve had the scooter tow ready to go, he looked at me and said, "Okay, Holly. Your turn!" He didn't waste any time. I've never been a big fan of going first, but this time I didn't hesitate. Sure... I had a mild case of the butterflies, but I knew I could do this safely. I hooked it (both the tow line and harness to the glider), picked my glider up, checked out the wind indicators, felt the breeze and how the glider was reacting, checked to make sure my wings were level, and then called to Steve, "CLEAR!" He started to roll on the throttle, I walked, jogged, ran and voila... I was airborne!
It felt so good, so natural, so right to be back in the air. I flew a little fast, but I maintained nice, level flight down the entire length of the runway, pulled in a touch, hit the release, and came down for a landing. I flare a touch late, but I landed on my feet! Yeah! I didn't forget how to launch, fly, and land safely!! Steve came down to retrieve the tow line and gave me a big hug congratulating me on my return to flight:)
For my second launch, I made a mental note to relax and not fly quite as fast. In fact, once I was aloft, I actually let go of the control frame to make sure I was at trim, and then I pulled in just a touch from there. This landing was better; again, on my feet.
The third flight, I proned out for a few seconds, did some minor roll corrections in light of the more varied wind conditions, and again had a great landing. When I got back to the launch area, everyone smiled and commented with great fondness that I demonstrated my trademark ballerina landing technique where I reach for the ground with one foot extended.
I did one more flight, but the winds had been getting stronger and a little more cross. I just waited for a light cycle, picked up, launched, and rode the textured air out. I released a little sooner than normal because my vector with the cross wind would have taken me into the soybean field if I had stayed on tow a bit longer. Steve gave me more words of praise and said he could see all the fun stuff I was flying through and that I handled it all great!
I had a mini support group; Megan Chapman, Mike Wimmer, and Tex Forrest were out there cheering me on and being all smiles after each of my flights. Of course... Scott was there too and showered me with congratulatory hugs and kisses. He also managed to snap a few photos to document my return to flight. I'll post a shot or two if they came out okay
Its good to know that I still have it in me. I am a pilot!
Holly
