Tuesday. At peace and learning. I glide along at 3500 feet, and try to find the line with the least sink in between clouds like Mike Barber says to do. I concentrate, brow furrowed. 4 seconds at a 45 degree angle into sink, turn and count seconds back to my original track...
Suddenly, I am distracted by a strange sound, a whistling sound, like the sound a diving glider makes. My heart stops beating when a millisecond later a hang glider plummets downward directly in front of me, perhaps 10 feet off my nosewires.
Adrenalin blocks out any politeness I might possess. After I have gained enough control of my glider -- after being rocked by the other's wake -- I use my hands to flip off the pilot, and scream at him, using every foul word that has been invented. He turns towards me for a second, and I know he is saying something, but I can't make it out. I imagine he is yelling back.
My heart slows to a more normal rythm and I worry about being kicked out of Quest after I land, for my vulgarity. (I find out later the other pilot is immensely pleased by his trick and overjoyed that I flipped him off and had a melt down).
Shortly after, I see another pilot circling in a thermal, a good friend. I venture too close and he screams to warn me. My face flushes with embarassment underneath my helmet. Yeesh. I better find my own lift.
I land after 2 exhilarating hours, but am dissapointed in my ability to fly where I want to go, to use the clouds as stepping stones. The big boys -- Ron, Greg, Mitch -- include me in their plans for tasks, but what flying with them has done most is make me realize their incredible skill flying and ability to multitask, and my lack in these areas.
That evening, I am instructed to talk much slower on the radio, and in a lower voice. This is all absolutly correct and meant in the most constructive of ways, but for the first time in a long time, my positive thinking wavers.
I dissolve into self pity and disgust, and tell Paul (who is flying brilliantly, BTW) that I should quit. Instead of slapping me, he hugs me and makes me dinner; tells me I am just low after having such big plans that morning. Wow.
Wednesday: I wake with renewed hope. After riding, I drive to Quest for a late launch, because of earlier solid cloud cover. The tow and flying are rowdy, and the wind is marginally strong. Pete L. has joined us for the day, as well as the crowd from Blue Sky and Mark Fink (who has joined us for several days, as well).
Smoke from a nearby fire mixes with the air, and the air bucks when I fly close to its boundaries. My only goal is to stay over the field, since the wind is West, which will quickly push me to the East and restricted airspace. (The Sky Gods have decided on an upwind task). My GPS reports that in one direction thermalling my ground speed is 48, and the other anywhere from 12-18.
I am congratulated on my radio voice. However, when I fly over to join Paul in a thermal, just as I reach him, lift unexpectedly raises me to his altitude. Uh, hi honey. I try to turn Griffin, but her VG is full on and she ignores my requests to turn. Paul saves the day with an abrupt turn. This time HIS voice is high on the radio.
Gawd, honey, he says, I thought you had me.
Sorry, I say. I guess I need to allow more clearance in the future, or at least yank off my VG as I get close to another pilot.
I land after 45 minutes, when I bail out of a thermal into an uninviting sky. Ron explains that I could have checked to see if my glide to goal (Quest) was increasing or decreasing in the thermal, to see if I needed to leave my thermal when I did. Never occured to me.
Pete abandoned the marginal lift I stayed in originally for more promising prospects upwind. He explains in great detail why this was a good bet. He is totally right on. I need to think about these things on the ground to speed up my learning in the air.
The level of talent here is amazing, as is their generosity to help an aspiring pilot. Thanks guys. I will try not to run into you or swear at you or hug you too much when I have too much gin.
Lauren
lessons and fun in Florida (Lauren)
Moderator: CHGPA BOD
Lauren and thermal merging
Hey Lauren,
So who was this a-hole who buzzed your glider? I'm surprised you didin't kick his ass. You should file a flight report on his near miss maneuver and reckless flying with the FAA and USHGA. At a minimum, he should be have his rating knocked back to a hang 2.... if not thrown out of the sport entirely.
As to joining in thermals, there's an article in this month's USHGA magazine on how to merge up in thermals with a paraglider. The instructions given are insane and tell the pilot joining the thermal to squeeze into the theremal in front of the pilot already there. That's a disaster waiting to happen. I always try to merge into a thermal by coming into it 180 degrees behind the pilot already in the thermal. If more than one pilot are co-altitude, I will squeeze in between them if there's room or dive below them to join the thermal. Diving below them is most fun when you then climb up through the other pilots and they have to yield because you're climbing faster. Never fly straight at another glider that's already thermalling. I've had to bail out of thermals on several occasions when another pilot saw me climbing and then flew STRAIGHT AT ME to join the thermal, almost running into me. You don't drive straight into an oncoming car when merging in traffic. I also always wave at the other pilot to make sure he or she sees me when in close traffic. We still have a lot of pilots out there not scanning the sky and not clearing their turns when they fly. If someone doesn't acknowledge me after I wave a few times at them when they should see me, I stay the hell away! It's better to miss out on a thermal than to be dead.
Matthew
So who was this a-hole who buzzed your glider? I'm surprised you didin't kick his ass. You should file a flight report on his near miss maneuver and reckless flying with the FAA and USHGA. At a minimum, he should be have his rating knocked back to a hang 2.... if not thrown out of the sport entirely.
As to joining in thermals, there's an article in this month's USHGA magazine on how to merge up in thermals with a paraglider. The instructions given are insane and tell the pilot joining the thermal to squeeze into the theremal in front of the pilot already there. That's a disaster waiting to happen. I always try to merge into a thermal by coming into it 180 degrees behind the pilot already in the thermal. If more than one pilot are co-altitude, I will squeeze in between them if there's room or dive below them to join the thermal. Diving below them is most fun when you then climb up through the other pilots and they have to yield because you're climbing faster. Never fly straight at another glider that's already thermalling. I've had to bail out of thermals on several occasions when another pilot saw me climbing and then flew STRAIGHT AT ME to join the thermal, almost running into me. You don't drive straight into an oncoming car when merging in traffic. I also always wave at the other pilot to make sure he or she sees me when in close traffic. We still have a lot of pilots out there not scanning the sky and not clearing their turns when they fly. If someone doesn't acknowledge me after I wave a few times at them when they should see me, I stay the hell away! It's better to miss out on a thermal than to be dead.
Matthew
-
Danny Brotto
- Posts: 709
- Joined: Mon Feb 14, 2005 9:29 pm
kingpost diving...
Lauren
Childish maneuver on the part of the kingpost-diving pilot. He deserves a stern talking to regardless of who he is or his abilities. Kingpost diving used to be a ?fad? around here in the mid-80?s but we grew out of it. Once when I was being dove onto (by a pilot with whom I had told to cease such antics), I pushed out (intentionally, in was a little wild in those days) and scared the dickens out of the pilot doing the diving. He never dove on me (or anyone else) again after that.
Mathew, my technique for transmitting my awareness of proximity to other pilots in the vicinity of my thermalling altitude is to look at them. I subscribe to ?see and be seen? and ?avoid and be avoided?. If the other pilot is looking at me, he?ll see that I?m looking at him. Thereby we visually acknowledge each other?s presence; he sees me, I see him and we both see that we see each other. I?ll spend ~90% of the time watching the other pilot I?m with whom I?m in proximity and scan the other ~10% of the time. I expect the other pilot to do approximately the same. I?d rather not take my hands off my basetube while thermalling especially while in close proximity to another. If the other pilot is not looking at me to my comfort/satisfaction, I?ll just fly off somewhere else and find another thermal.
Danny Brotto
Childish maneuver on the part of the kingpost-diving pilot. He deserves a stern talking to regardless of who he is or his abilities. Kingpost diving used to be a ?fad? around here in the mid-80?s but we grew out of it. Once when I was being dove onto (by a pilot with whom I had told to cease such antics), I pushed out (intentionally, in was a little wild in those days) and scared the dickens out of the pilot doing the diving. He never dove on me (or anyone else) again after that.
Mathew, my technique for transmitting my awareness of proximity to other pilots in the vicinity of my thermalling altitude is to look at them. I subscribe to ?see and be seen? and ?avoid and be avoided?. If the other pilot is looking at me, he?ll see that I?m looking at him. Thereby we visually acknowledge each other?s presence; he sees me, I see him and we both see that we see each other. I?ll spend ~90% of the time watching the other pilot I?m with whom I?m in proximity and scan the other ~10% of the time. I expect the other pilot to do approximately the same. I?d rather not take my hands off my basetube while thermalling especially while in close proximity to another. If the other pilot is not looking at me to my comfort/satisfaction, I?ll just fly off somewhere else and find another thermal.
Danny Brotto
lessons and fun in Florida (Lauren)
Another thing to think about (and this is not directed to Lauren who for
the past few months I've come to think of as being more experienced than
me with all the flying she's been doing) is when you enter a thermal from
below so that the other pilot can see you, you totally can't see the other
pilot!
Several years ago I caused Tom McGowan grief when I moved in on
his thermal. Since I couldn't see him I lost track of where it was, and I
think I hit lift when he hit sink and I ended up face to face with him.
Fortunately he had been tracking me and did an abrupt turn away with a few
choice words of spiritual advice. I'd suggest if you enter at different
altitudes give yourself about 100 feet of clearance. Either that or enter
at the same altitude and make sure you see each other. If you can't do
one or the other stay the heck away.
Brian Vant-Hull
301-646-1149
the past few months I've come to think of as being more experienced than
me with all the flying she's been doing) is when you enter a thermal from
below so that the other pilot can see you, you totally can't see the other
pilot!
Several years ago I caused Tom McGowan grief when I moved in on
his thermal. Since I couldn't see him I lost track of where it was, and I
think I hit lift when he hit sink and I ended up face to face with him.
Fortunately he had been tracking me and did an abrupt turn away with a few
choice words of spiritual advice. I'd suggest if you enter at different
altitudes give yourself about 100 feet of clearance. Either that or enter
at the same altitude and make sure you see each other. If you can't do
one or the other stay the heck away.
Brian Vant-Hull
301-646-1149
Waving and nodding and seeing
Hi Danny,
I'm not always lookng for someone to wave back at me. I'm just looking for some sort of visual acknowlegement, looking at me, nodding to me, whatever. But if someone's gaze is glued to the inside of the turn or they're staring at their vario or have their eyes fixed forward, then I know that they aren't scanning the sky for traffic and they are not someone with whom I wish to share close airspace.
Matthew
I'm not always lookng for someone to wave back at me. I'm just looking for some sort of visual acknowlegement, looking at me, nodding to me, whatever. But if someone's gaze is glued to the inside of the turn or they're staring at their vario or have their eyes fixed forward, then I know that they aren't scanning the sky for traffic and they are not someone with whom I wish to share close airspace.
Matthew
lessons and fun in Florida (Lauren)
Hi Lauren,
?
Reference the pilot who dove by you at “perhaps 10 feet”? off your nose wires:? Did the people from Quest consider the pilots actions as acceptable?
?
Joe
?
-----Original Message-----
From: Paul Tjaden [mailto:tjadenhors@aol.com]
Sent: Thursday, February 17, 2005 8:05 AM
To: hg_forum@chgpa.org
Subject: lessons and fun in Florida (Lauren)
?
Tuesday. At peace and learning. I glide along at 3500 feet, and try to find the line with the least sink in between clouds like Mike Barber says to do. I concentrate, brow furrowed. 4 seconds at a 45 degree angle into sink, turn and count seconds back to my original track...
Suddenly, I am distracted by a strange sound, a whistling sound, like the sound a diving glider makes. My heart stops beating when a millisecond later a hang glider plummets downward directly in front of me, perhaps 10 feet off my nosewires.
Adrenalin blocks out any politeness I might possess. After I have gained enough control of my glider -- after being rocked by the other's wake -- I use my hands to flip off the pilot, and scream at him, using every foul word that has been invented. He turns towards me for a second, and I know he is saying something, but I can't make it out. I imagine he is yelling back.
My heart slows to a more normal rythm and I worry about being kicked out of Quest after I land, for my vulgarity. (I find out later the other pilot is immensely pleased by his trick and overjoyed that I flipped him off and had a melt down).
Shortly after, I see another pilot circling in a thermal, a good friend. I venture too close and he screams to warn me. My face flushes with embarassment underneath my helmet. Yeesh. I better find my own lift.
I land after 2 exhilarating hours, but am dissapointed in my ability to fly where I want to go, to use the clouds as stepping stones. The big boys -- Ron, Greg, Mitch -- include me in their plans for tasks, but what flying with them has done most is make me realize their incredible skill flying and ability to multitask, and my lack in these areas.
That evening, I am instructed to talk much slower on the radio, and in a lower voice. This is all absolutly correct and meant in the most constructive of ways, but for the first time in a long time, my positive thinking wavers.
I dissolve into self pity and disgust, and tell Paul (who is flying brilliantly, BTW) that I should quit. Instead of slapping me, he hugs me and makes me dinner; tells me I am just low after having such big plans that morning. Wow.
Wednesday: I wake with renewed hope. After riding, I drive to Quest for a late launch, because of earlier solid cloud cover. The tow and flying are rowdy, and the wind is marginally strong. Pete L. has joined us for the day, as well as the crowd from Blue Sky and Mark Fink (who has joined us for several days, as well).
Smoke from a nearby fire mixes with the air, and the air bucks when I fly close to its boundaries. My only goal is to stay over the field, since the wind is West, which will quickly push me to the East and restricted airspace. (The Sky Gods have decided on an upwind task). My GPS reports that in one direction thermalling my ground speed is 48, and the other anywhere from 12-18.
I am congratulated on my radio voice. However, when I fly over to join Paul in a thermal, just as I reach him, lift unexpectedly raises me to his altitude. Uh, hi honey. I try to turn Griffin, but her VG is full on and she ignores my requests to turn. Paul saves the day with an abrupt turn. This time HIS voice is high on the radio.
Gawd, honey, he says, I thought you had me.
Sorry, I say. I guess I need to allow more clearance in the future, or at least yank off my VG as I get close to another pilot.
I land after 45 minutes, when I bail out of a thermal into an uninviting sky. Ron explains that I could have checked to see if my glide to goal (Quest) was increasing or decreasing in the thermal, to see if I needed to leave my thermal when I did. Never occured to me.
Pete abandoned the marginal lift I stayed in originally for more promising prospects upwind. He explains in great detail why this was a good bet. He is totally right on. I need to think about these things on the ground to speed up my learning in the air.
The level of talent here is amazing, as is their generosity to help an aspiring pilot. Thanks guys. I will try not to run into you or swear at you or hug you too much when I have too much gin.
Lauren
?
Reference the pilot who dove by you at “perhaps 10 feet”? off your nose wires:? Did the people from Quest consider the pilots actions as acceptable?
?
Joe
?
-----Original Message-----
From: Paul Tjaden [mailto:tjadenhors@aol.com]
Sent: Thursday, February 17, 2005 8:05 AM
To: hg_forum@chgpa.org
Subject: lessons and fun in Florida (Lauren)
?
Tuesday. At peace and learning. I glide along at 3500 feet, and try to find the line with the least sink in between clouds like Mike Barber says to do. I concentrate, brow furrowed. 4 seconds at a 45 degree angle into sink, turn and count seconds back to my original track...
Suddenly, I am distracted by a strange sound, a whistling sound, like the sound a diving glider makes. My heart stops beating when a millisecond later a hang glider plummets downward directly in front of me, perhaps 10 feet off my nosewires.
Adrenalin blocks out any politeness I might possess. After I have gained enough control of my glider -- after being rocked by the other's wake -- I use my hands to flip off the pilot, and scream at him, using every foul word that has been invented. He turns towards me for a second, and I know he is saying something, but I can't make it out. I imagine he is yelling back.
My heart slows to a more normal rythm and I worry about being kicked out of Quest after I land, for my vulgarity. (I find out later the other pilot is immensely pleased by his trick and overjoyed that I flipped him off and had a melt down).
Shortly after, I see another pilot circling in a thermal, a good friend. I venture too close and he screams to warn me. My face flushes with embarassment underneath my helmet. Yeesh. I better find my own lift.
I land after 2 exhilarating hours, but am dissapointed in my ability to fly where I want to go, to use the clouds as stepping stones. The big boys -- Ron, Greg, Mitch -- include me in their plans for tasks, but what flying with them has done most is make me realize their incredible skill flying and ability to multitask, and my lack in these areas.
That evening, I am instructed to talk much slower on the radio, and in a lower voice. This is all absolutly correct and meant in the most constructive of ways, but for the first time in a long time, my positive thinking wavers.
I dissolve into self pity and disgust, and tell Paul (who is flying brilliantly, BTW) that I should quit. Instead of slapping me, he hugs me and makes me dinner; tells me I am just low after having such big plans that morning. Wow.
Wednesday: I wake with renewed hope. After riding, I drive to Quest for a late launch, because of earlier solid cloud cover. The tow and flying are rowdy, and the wind is marginally strong. Pete L. has joined us for the day, as well as the crowd from Blue Sky and Mark Fink (who has joined us for several days, as well).
Smoke from a nearby fire mixes with the air, and the air bucks when I fly close to its boundaries. My only goal is to stay over the field, since the wind is West, which will quickly push me to the East and restricted airspace. (The Sky Gods have decided on an upwind task). My GPS reports that in one direction thermalling my ground speed is 48, and the other anywhere from 12-18.
I am congratulated on my radio voice. However, when I fly over to join Paul in a thermal, just as I reach him, lift unexpectedly raises me to his altitude. Uh, hi honey. I try to turn Griffin, but her VG is full on and she ignores my requests to turn. Paul saves the day with an abrupt turn. This time HIS voice is high on the radio.
Gawd, honey, he says, I thought you had me.
Sorry, I say. I guess I need to allow more clearance in the future, or at least yank off my VG as I get close to another pilot.
I land after 45 minutes, when I bail out of a thermal into an uninviting sky. Ron explains that I could have checked to see if my glide to goal (Quest) was increasing or decreasing in the thermal, to see if I needed to leave my thermal when I did. Never occured to me.
Pete abandoned the marginal lift I stayed in originally for more promising prospects upwind. He explains in great detail why this was a good bet. He is totally right on. I need to think about these things on the ground to speed up my learning in the air.
The level of talent here is amazing, as is their generosity to help an aspiring pilot. Thanks guys. I will try not to run into you or swear at you or hug you too much when I have too much gin.
Lauren
lessons and fun in Florida (Lauren)
I had a suggestion but I forgot while I was trying to stop my gushing nosebleed.? I need to go ice my knee.?
?
Kev C
?
From: Matthew [mailto:adventuretales@yahoo.com]
Sent: Thursday, February 17, 2005 6:21 AM
To: hg_forum@chgpa.org
Subject: lessons and fun in Florida (Lauren)
?
Hey Lauren,
So who was this a-hole who buzzed your glider? I'm surprised you didin't kick his ass. You should file a flight report on his near miss maneuver and reckless flying with the FAA and USHGA. At a minimum, he should be have his rating knocked back to a hang 2.... if not thrown out of the sport entirely.
?
?
?
Kev C
?
From: Matthew [mailto:adventuretales@yahoo.com]
Sent: Thursday, February 17, 2005 6:21 AM
To: hg_forum@chgpa.org
Subject: lessons and fun in Florida (Lauren)
?
Hey Lauren,
So who was this a-hole who buzzed your glider? I'm surprised you didin't kick his ass. You should file a flight report on his near miss maneuver and reckless flying with the FAA and USHGA. At a minimum, he should be have his rating knocked back to a hang 2.... if not thrown out of the sport entirely.
?
?
Careless and Reckless Flying
Even though not part of 103, I believe these rules apply, especially if a self regulating organization such as USHGA wants to remain self-regulating and we don't want to lose part 103.
See-- http://www.flightsimaviation.com/data/F ... 91-13.html
Matthew
See-- http://www.flightsimaviation.com/data/F ... 91-13.html
Matthew
lessons and fun in Florida (Lauren)
Take a step back and breathe.? Obviously this was not something that should have been done to Lauren. It was a mistake, it was rude, it was cras.? Endangering life and property?? That seems like a rather extreme take on this.?
?
Clearly someone needs to hear a ration of sh__ from me for spooking such a good friend and sensitive person.? Do they need to be threatened with a bunch of chest puffing and bravado??
?
When pilots make mistakes isn’t it usually best handled by calmly pulling them aside and talking about it privately?? Asserting egos with threats and quick (over)reactions isn’t usually the best solution.
?
Kev C
From: Matthew [mailto:adventuretales@yahoo.com]
Sent: Thursday, February 17, 2005 8:10 PM
To: hg_forum@chgpa.org
Subject: lessons and fun in Florida (Lauren)
?
Even though not part of 103, I believe these rules apply, especially if a self regulating organization such as USHGA wants to remain self-regulating and we don't want to lose part 103.
See-- http://www.flightsimaviation.com/data/FARS/part_91-13.html
Matthew
?
Clearly someone needs to hear a ration of sh__ from me for spooking such a good friend and sensitive person.? Do they need to be threatened with a bunch of chest puffing and bravado??
?
When pilots make mistakes isn’t it usually best handled by calmly pulling them aside and talking about it privately?? Asserting egos with threats and quick (over)reactions isn’t usually the best solution.
?
Kev C
From: Matthew [mailto:adventuretales@yahoo.com]
Sent: Thursday, February 17, 2005 8:10 PM
To: hg_forum@chgpa.org
Subject: lessons and fun in Florida (Lauren)
?
Even though not part of 103, I believe these rules apply, especially if a self regulating organization such as USHGA wants to remain self-regulating and we don't want to lose part 103.
See-- http://www.flightsimaviation.com/data/FARS/part_91-13.html
Matthew
-
Paul Tjaden
- Posts: 398
- Joined: Tue Feb 08, 2005 10:28 pm
lessons and fun in Florida (Lauren)
????First, I'd like to say "thanks" to all of my friends for such support and love. It means more to me than you could possibly know. I miss you all.
????About being "buzzed": it DID spook me for a minute.?Keel diving is?not something that even the most experienced pilot should practice, simply because as we all know hang gliders are not machines of precise control. It isn't the safest thing to do in a sport already filled with risk.
????How did Quest respond to the pilot? They didn't, because I never brought it up with the management. (The people sitting around the picnic tables that I discussed it with responded with things like "I would have flipped him off too; why would you apologize?")
????To me, the important thing is that the pilot doesn't practice this particular game anymore, with me or anyone else, because that is the SAFETY issue. I think that goal has already been accomplished with the discussions held privately between us. I don't want a war. I want this to quietly go away, since it is no longer an issue. It will not occur again. This was moment's misjudgment by someone who is a personal friend. I would beg everyone to let it drop. I feel very strongly about this.
????About the thermalling advice: I think it is probably one of those blessings in disguise that I came close to pilots two days in a row. Flying straight into another pilot's thermal is simply not safe without lots of altitude clearance. Mistake noted and hereby changed. I will circle to the outside of the group before joining. I was lucky to learn this before I begin flying in larger groups.
????Much love and happy, fat, soft, thermals to all you snowbirds.
Lauren
????About being "buzzed": it DID spook me for a minute.?Keel diving is?not something that even the most experienced pilot should practice, simply because as we all know hang gliders are not machines of precise control. It isn't the safest thing to do in a sport already filled with risk.
????How did Quest respond to the pilot? They didn't, because I never brought it up with the management. (The people sitting around the picnic tables that I discussed it with responded with things like "I would have flipped him off too; why would you apologize?")
????To me, the important thing is that the pilot doesn't practice this particular game anymore, with me or anyone else, because that is the SAFETY issue. I think that goal has already been accomplished with the discussions held privately between us. I don't want a war. I want this to quietly go away, since it is no longer an issue. It will not occur again. This was moment's misjudgment by someone who is a personal friend. I would beg everyone to let it drop. I feel very strongly about this.
????About the thermalling advice: I think it is probably one of those blessings in disguise that I came close to pilots two days in a row. Flying straight into another pilot's thermal is simply not safe without lots of altitude clearance. Mistake noted and hereby changed. I will circle to the outside of the group before joining. I was lucky to learn this before I begin flying in larger groups.
????Much love and happy, fat, soft, thermals to all you snowbirds.
Lauren
-
Paul Tjaden
- Posts: 398
- Joined: Tue Feb 08, 2005 10:28 pm
lessons and fun in Florida (Lauren)
In a message dated 2/17/2005 10:16:52 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, heaviek@yahoo.com writes:
you ding dong. Quit making me laugh while everyone is getting worked up.
Lauren
I had a suggestion but I forgot while I was trying to stop my gushing nosebleed.? I need to go ice my knee.?
you ding dong. Quit making me laugh while everyone is getting worked up.
Lauren
Endangering Life
Buzzing 10 feet off someone's nose wires sure sounds like endangering life to me. I lost two friends down at Quest two years ago. I don't want to lose a third.
Matthew
Matthew
lessons and fun in Florida (Lauren)
I think the main thrust of your post got lost in the brouhaha about the buzzing incident: we are each climbing a Mount Everest of skill development. This sport is a DISCIPLINE which is educating us in many ways. As in powered flying, just manipulating the controls is the least of it. - Hugh
>
> From: Tjadenhors@aol.com
> Date: 2005/02/18 Fri PM 12:10:28 GMT
> To: hg_forum@chgpa.org
> Subject: Re: lessons and fun in Florida (Lauren)
>
> ????First, I'd like to say "thanks" to all of my friends for such support and love. It means more to me than you could possibly know. I miss you all.
> ????About being "buzzed": it DID spook me for a minute.?Keel diving is?not something that even the most experienced pilot should practice, simply because as we all know hang gliders are not machines of precise control. It isn't the safest thing to do in a sport already filled with risk.
> ????How did Quest respond to the pilot? They didn't, because I never brought it up with the management. (The people sitting around the picnic tables that I discussed it with responded with things like "I would have flipped him off too; why would you apologize?")
> ????To me, the important thing is that the pilot doesn't practice this particular game anymore, with me or anyone else, because that is the SAFETY issue. I think that goal has already been accomplished with the discussions held privately between us. I don't want a war. I want this to quietly go away, since it is no longer an issue. It will not occur again. This was moment's misjudgment by someone who is a personal friend. I would beg everyone to let it drop. I feel very strongly about this.
> ????About the thermalling advice: I think it is probably one of those blessings in disguise that I came close to pilots two days in a row. Flying straight into another pilot's thermal is simply not safe without lots of altitude clearance. Mistake noted and hereby changed. I will circle to the outside of the group before joining. I was lucky to learn this before I begin flying in larger groups.
> ????Much love and happy, fat, soft, thermals to all you snowbirds.
> Lauren
>
>
>
> From: Tjadenhors@aol.com
> Date: 2005/02/18 Fri PM 12:10:28 GMT
> To: hg_forum@chgpa.org
> Subject: Re: lessons and fun in Florida (Lauren)
>
> ????First, I'd like to say "thanks" to all of my friends for such support and love. It means more to me than you could possibly know. I miss you all.
> ????About being "buzzed": it DID spook me for a minute.?Keel diving is?not something that even the most experienced pilot should practice, simply because as we all know hang gliders are not machines of precise control. It isn't the safest thing to do in a sport already filled with risk.
> ????How did Quest respond to the pilot? They didn't, because I never brought it up with the management. (The people sitting around the picnic tables that I discussed it with responded with things like "I would have flipped him off too; why would you apologize?")
> ????To me, the important thing is that the pilot doesn't practice this particular game anymore, with me or anyone else, because that is the SAFETY issue. I think that goal has already been accomplished with the discussions held privately between us. I don't want a war. I want this to quietly go away, since it is no longer an issue. It will not occur again. This was moment's misjudgment by someone who is a personal friend. I would beg everyone to let it drop. I feel very strongly about this.
> ????About the thermalling advice: I think it is probably one of those blessings in disguise that I came close to pilots two days in a row. Flying straight into another pilot's thermal is simply not safe without lots of altitude clearance. Mistake noted and hereby changed. I will circle to the outside of the group before joining. I was lucky to learn this before I begin flying in larger groups.
> ????Much love and happy, fat, soft, thermals to all you snowbirds.
> Lauren
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