I will try and be brief (I have a few moments, waiting for the shower to get ready for dinner). Today, I flew with Larry Huffman, a vastly experienced pilot who is staying with us, and Paul. The lift was not nearly so great as the clouds promised. My first flight I just sunk out, like Paul did, although Larry managed a very low save. It was tough.
My second flight I found SOME lift, but the traffic scared me. Each new day brings its own challenges.
One thermal had a sailplane, a flex wing, a rigid, and a buzzard. They climbed better than me but I just let them have the friggin' thermal. Being with others affects my abilty to climb well. I am good when on my own or below or above others. Larry promised to explain how I can deal better with this later.
Once high (well, 3500) Larry asked if we wanted to head upwind -- North -- but I voted to go to Wallaby. PLEEEZ, I begged. The pilots on our frequency all asked twice, but I pleaded again. So we headed out, on a "death glide" -- no lift, stupid low -- to the south.
Well. I landed a few miles down the road, but had a great landing. One of my three goals to accomplish in the next two weeks was to fly XC in Florida. Between my 10 mile out and back Sunday and this kinda pathetic flight where I at least landed out I figure this counts as at least one XC. I landed PERFECTLY though the field was huge as Kansas. One down.
Larry landed with me and Paul made it to Seminole glider port. I have two other goals for the next 2 weeks, to get my spot landing for my 4 --I have my written test passed-- and to tow off of my shoulders.
Ha, this was silly today, even a failure by many pilot's standards, but I am novice enough I had fun. I have only gone XC out of Highland, which is totally inviting, so this is some sort of progress. Oops, gotta go. Happy flying.
Lauren
Tuesday, Florida, Lauren
Moderator: CHGPA BOD
Tuesday, Florida, Lauren
Sounds like fun! What do you mean about XC from Highland? Are the
fields better than in Florida? - Hugh
On 22 Feb 2005, at 18:58, Paul Tjaden wrote:
> I will try and be brief (I have a few moments, waiting for the shower
> to get ready for dinner). Today, I flew with Larry Huffman, a vastly
> experienced pilot who is staying with us, and Paul. The lift was not
> nearly so great as the clouds promised. My first flight I just sunk
> out, like Paul did, although Larry managed a very low save. It was
> tough.
> My second flight I found SOME lift, but the traffic scared me. Each
> new day brings its own challenges.
> One thermal had a sailplane, a flex wing, a rigid, and a buzzard.
> They climbed better than me but I just let them have the friggin'
> thermal. Being with others affects my abilty to climb well. I am good
> when on my own or below or above others. Larry promised to explain how
> I can deal better with this later.
> Once high (well, 3500) Larry asked if we wanted to head upwind --
> North -- but I voted to go to Wallaby. PLEEEZ, I begged. The pilots on
> our frequency all asked twice, but I pleaded again. So we headed out,
> on a "death glide" -- no lift, stupid low -- to the south.
> Well. I landed a few miles down the road, but had a great landing.
> One of my three goals to accomplish in the next two weeks was to fly
> XC in Florida. Between my 10 mile out and back Sunday and this kinda
> pathetic flight where I at least landed out I figure this counts as at
> least one XC. I landed PERFECTLY though the field was huge as Kansas.
> One down.
> Larry landed with me and Paul made it to Seminole glider port. I have
> two other goals for the next 2 weeks, to get my spot landing for my 4
> --I have my written test passed-- and to tow off of my shoulders.
> Ha, this was silly today, even a failure by many pilot's standards,
> but I am novice enough I had fun. I have only gone XC out of Highland,
> which is totally inviting, so this is some sort of progress. Oops,
> gotta go. Happy flying.
> Lauren
>
>
>
>
>
fields better than in Florida? - Hugh
On 22 Feb 2005, at 18:58, Paul Tjaden wrote:
> I will try and be brief (I have a few moments, waiting for the shower
> to get ready for dinner). Today, I flew with Larry Huffman, a vastly
> experienced pilot who is staying with us, and Paul. The lift was not
> nearly so great as the clouds promised. My first flight I just sunk
> out, like Paul did, although Larry managed a very low save. It was
> tough.
> My second flight I found SOME lift, but the traffic scared me. Each
> new day brings its own challenges.
> One thermal had a sailplane, a flex wing, a rigid, and a buzzard.
> They climbed better than me but I just let them have the friggin'
> thermal. Being with others affects my abilty to climb well. I am good
> when on my own or below or above others. Larry promised to explain how
> I can deal better with this later.
> Once high (well, 3500) Larry asked if we wanted to head upwind --
> North -- but I voted to go to Wallaby. PLEEEZ, I begged. The pilots on
> our frequency all asked twice, but I pleaded again. So we headed out,
> on a "death glide" -- no lift, stupid low -- to the south.
> Well. I landed a few miles down the road, but had a great landing.
> One of my three goals to accomplish in the next two weeks was to fly
> XC in Florida. Between my 10 mile out and back Sunday and this kinda
> pathetic flight where I at least landed out I figure this counts as at
> least one XC. I landed PERFECTLY though the field was huge as Kansas.
> One down.
> Larry landed with me and Paul made it to Seminole glider port. I have
> two other goals for the next 2 weeks, to get my spot landing for my 4
> --I have my written test passed-- and to tow off of my shoulders.
> Ha, this was silly today, even a failure by many pilot's standards,
> but I am novice enough I had fun. I have only gone XC out of Highland,
> which is totally inviting, so this is some sort of progress. Oops,
> gotta go. Happy flying.
> Lauren
>
>
>
>
>
-
Paul Tjaden
- Posts: 398
- Joined: Tue Feb 08, 2005 10:28 pm
Tuesday, Florida, Lauren
In a message dated 2/22/2005 10:32:16 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, mcelrah@verizon.net writes:
I think that in early spring, before the crops have grown, Highland is the most inviting place in the world to start XC flying. You literally can land almost anywhere, there is almost no terrain to deal with, and retrieval is usually no issue. It proved ideal for me.
Florida is still considered easy. However, there are considerable swamps, orchards and other un-landable territory, more terrain that at Highland (though yes, the state is flat as a tortilla), and many small roads are behind locked gates (ask Paul). Because of all of these factors, it is a bit more challenging here.
BTW, these are only my perceptions, and I would remind you that you are talking to the Sky Goddess who managed a whopping 3 miles yesterday, so take what I say with a bushel of salt.
Lauren
What do you mean about XC from Highland?? Are the
fields better than in Florida?
I think that in early spring, before the crops have grown, Highland is the most inviting place in the world to start XC flying. You literally can land almost anywhere, there is almost no terrain to deal with, and retrieval is usually no issue. It proved ideal for me.
Florida is still considered easy. However, there are considerable swamps, orchards and other un-landable territory, more terrain that at Highland (though yes, the state is flat as a tortilla), and many small roads are behind locked gates (ask Paul). Because of all of these factors, it is a bit more challenging here.
BTW, these are only my perceptions, and I would remind you that you are talking to the Sky Goddess who managed a whopping 3 miles yesterday, so take what I say with a bushel of salt.
Lauren
Tuesday, Florida, Lauren
Thanks. Gonna try Woodstock today... - Hugh
On 23 Feb 2005, at 07:08, Tjadenhors@aol.com wrote:
> In a message dated 2/22/2005 10:32:16 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,
> mcelrah@verizon.net writes:
>
>
> :
>
> What do you mean about XC from Highland?? Are the
> fields better than in Florida?
>
>
> I think that in early spring, before the crops have grown, Highland
> is the most inviting place in the world to start XC flying. You
> literally can land almost anywhere, there is almost no terrain to deal
> with, and retrieval is usually no issue. It proved ideal for me.
> Florida is still considered easy. However, there are considerable
> swamps, orchards and other un-landable territory, more terrain that at
> Highland (though yes, the state is flat as a tortilla), and many small
> roads are behind locked gates (ask Paul). Because of all of these
> factors, it is a bit more challenging here.
> BTW, these are only my perceptions, and I would remind you that you
> are talking to the Sky Goddess who managed a whopping 3 miles
> yesterday, so take what I say with a bushel of salt.
> Lauren
>
>
>
>
>
On 23 Feb 2005, at 07:08, Tjadenhors@aol.com wrote:
> In a message dated 2/22/2005 10:32:16 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,
> mcelrah@verizon.net writes:
>
>
> :
>
> What do you mean about XC from Highland?? Are the
> fields better than in Florida?
>
>
> I think that in early spring, before the crops have grown, Highland
> is the most inviting place in the world to start XC flying. You
> literally can land almost anywhere, there is almost no terrain to deal
> with, and retrieval is usually no issue. It proved ideal for me.
> Florida is still considered easy. However, there are considerable
> swamps, orchards and other un-landable territory, more terrain that at
> Highland (though yes, the state is flat as a tortilla), and many small
> roads are behind locked gates (ask Paul). Because of all of these
> factors, it is a bit more challenging here.
> BTW, these are only my perceptions, and I would remind you that you
> are talking to the Sky Goddess who managed a whopping 3 miles
> yesterday, so take what I say with a bushel of salt.
> Lauren
>
>
>
>
>
Tuesday, Florida, Lauren
I don’t think many roads are behind locked gates but also could be wrong.
?
Florida is nothing but a big sandbar!
?
Kev C
?
From: Tjadenhors@aol.com [mailto:Tjadenhors@aol.com]
Sent: Wednesday, February 23, 2005 4:09 AM
To: hg_forum@chgpa.org
Subject: Re: Tuesday, Florida, Lauren
?
In a message dated 2/22/2005 10:32:16 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, mcelrah@verizon.net (mcelrah@verizon.net) writes:
:
What do you mean about XC from Highland?? Are the
fields better than in Florida?
I think that in early spring, before the crops have grown, Highland is the most inviting place in the world to start XC flying. You literally can land almost anywhere, there is almost no terrain to deal with, and retrieval is usually no issue. It proved ideal for me.
Florida is still considered easy. However, there are considerable swamps, orchards and other un-landable territory, more terrain that at Highland (though yes, the state is flat as a tortilla), and many small roads are behind locked gates (ask Paul). Because of all of these factors, it is a bit more challenging here.
BTW, these are only my perceptions, and I would remind you that you are talking to the Sky Goddess who managed a whopping 3 miles yesterday, so take what I say with a bushel of salt.
Lauren
?
Florida is nothing but a big sandbar!
?
Kev C
?
From: Tjadenhors@aol.com [mailto:Tjadenhors@aol.com]
Sent: Wednesday, February 23, 2005 4:09 AM
To: hg_forum@chgpa.org
Subject: Re: Tuesday, Florida, Lauren
?
In a message dated 2/22/2005 10:32:16 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, mcelrah@verizon.net (mcelrah@verizon.net) writes:
:
What do you mean about XC from Highland?? Are the
fields better than in Florida?
I think that in early spring, before the crops have grown, Highland is the most inviting place in the world to start XC flying. You literally can land almost anywhere, there is almost no terrain to deal with, and retrieval is usually no issue. It proved ideal for me.
Florida is still considered easy. However, there are considerable swamps, orchards and other un-landable territory, more terrain that at Highland (though yes, the state is flat as a tortilla), and many small roads are behind locked gates (ask Paul). Because of all of these factors, it is a bit more challenging here.
BTW, these are only my perceptions, and I would remind you that you are talking to the Sky Goddess who managed a whopping 3 miles yesterday, so take what I say with a bushel of salt.
Lauren
-
Paul Tjaden
- Posts: 398
- Joined: Tue Feb 08, 2005 10:28 pm
Tuesday, Florida, Lauren
In a message dated 2/23/2005 9:47:27 A.M. Eastern Standard Time, heaviek@yahoo.com writes:
Don't know about "many" gates but I sure can show you one!!!
?
Paul
?
p.s. Greg Dinauer, who helped me carry out, was KIND enough to remind me " don't do this again" several times and then to point out several good fields I might have chosen as we drove home.
I don’t think many roads are behind locked gates but also could be wrong.
Don't know about "many" gates but I sure can show you one!!!
?
Paul
?
p.s. Greg Dinauer, who helped me carry out, was KIND enough to remind me " don't do this again" several times and then to point out several good fields I might have chosen as we drove home.