Living The Dream (Still)

[lbunner]

I've been flying for 42 years now. My 'career' has had its ups and downs over the years, driven by poor decisions on my part that resulted in damaged body parts and/or glider parts and also driven by the loss of close friends (too many most recently). Fleeting thoughts have entered my mind that perhaps it was time to change sports and pick up the old shuffleboard stick (full carbon of course). But then, in the corner of my eye I'd see the flip of a wing and spot a hawk circling skyward or see three dust devils dancing together in a field or spot a wisp of a cloud slowly forming overhead. Each time my heart rate would pick up a bit and I would envision what it would be like in that moment to be airborne again. Last month Sue and I went to Villa Grove, Co for the Mountain Airmen's Rndezvous (Colorado Fly Week). I was nervous driving out. I didn't know the area, I hadn't foot launched in 18 months, the launches were almost 10000' and I didn't have any O2. The first day we rode up to launch my adrenaline was flowing, my leg was shaking uncontrollably. A smile came to my face as I recounted how even after this many years I still get excited about going flying. I set up my glider and watched at takeoff as paragliders and hang gliders launched one after the other. My primary thoughts were about safety, getting a good launch, flying conservatively and picking a nice big open field with obvious wind indicators to land at 8000'. Eventually the moment was right, I suited up and moved to launch. The thermic conditions weren't ideal but the winds did cycle up frequently. I did my hang check and moved to launch. A cycle was building so I cleared the crew, checked my angle of attack and ran, ran, ran into the air. The flight was superb climbing over the 12000' peaks, cruising down the valley and then landing in a wide open field next to the road. My passion for flying is as strong today as my first training hill flights so long ago. I rue the day that I will no longer get to fly but am encouraged by two flying buddies in WI who are 79 (ATOS) and 76 (T2C) and still flying on almost every soarable day. My heart goes out to those that are struggling, I wish you nothing but the best and hope you can find your way through the challenges impacting your ability to fly.

[John Simon]

Bun,
Amazing to think of 40 plus years of flying. I am recently 50 and have been contemplating what will happen as I get on in life. When must I stop? I can' even stomach the thought, as like you... Every time I see a circling bird I lose my ability to focuse.
I am at about 14 years now, and meeting guys like you, Jim M, Dennis P. Is really encouraging and amazing to observe at the same time. I recall starting this sport (the second time) in 2012 and getting my H2 in 2013. I thought, this is nice... I'll come fly once a month for a couple sled rides and enjoy the view and head home. Since that time, HG has come to be so much more. I found out you can climb instead of descend... My first goal was an hour... Then 2, 3, 4 Then once I got good at that, I found out you could go places! WOW, XC was a huge eye opener and REALLY lit the fire. The sense of freedom was unforgettable, the world now lay at my feet. Once I did some of that, I found out about comps.... Flying with guys much better than you was an incredible way to increase the pace of learning. Almost ten years of that now, and still learning. I still love the beauty and freedom of a simple extends and much more so, a relaxed little XC flight with friends. The challenge is always there, so it never gets old and the views and experiences are always new and different. I am terrified of the day I can't fly as well and I can't hope to have 40+ years, but I can hope to fly with you soon at least! See you in FL in the spring.

John