Oh yippee yi! I ventured out to Quest late in the afternoon due to earlier windy conditions and a dismal soaring forecast (it turns out the winds were not really so bad at the field). I arrived just in time to see both Hugh and Paul coming in for landings. I was gratified to note they had been stuck with landing and towing practice, and I had made the correct choice in spending the day tending to chores, allowing only enough time for a couple of evening flights.
Well. Paul had to struggle but scratched out an hour on the Laminar. Instant jealousy surged through my system like poison. Hugh WAS actually flying patterns -- with much speed and accuracy, on the Sport 2. Kevin told him to set up the Discus (which he also flew well).
I rushed to assemble my stunning Litespeed. She is the most beautiful glider I have ever seen, I swear. Paul helped me to turn down my sprogs another notch. I finally got permission from Kevin to take her back to factory settings since I have not done anything scary on her, but they are still a notch higher than the way she came. Even Adam said she could be kinda divergent with full VG, but I don't usually fly her with more than 3/4, anyhow.
I LOVED my Angel with her lowered sprogs. Less bar pressure, and when I landed, I had MUCH more time after I transitioned to both downtubes before I had to flare. I have had to be very quick before, but set up this way -- more like she was meant to be -- the glider lands GREAT. Oh, nirvana.
I have often thought about what a gift this glider is, and how I really had a hard time appreciating her at first, because I was more scared to fly her than anything I have ever done. I made this huge leap of faith when I decided I wanted to compete and actually go for it, and just ordered everything I would need. Anyone else in the world would have been so thrilled to have a machine like her but I was just scared. I am finally beginning to accept that I am just fine on her and totally qualified to fly her. I would feed that glider carrots if she was a horse.
I flew a couple of times. I was consumed by major happiness, and then Paul told me he had gotten a call, and we sold our investment house! Woohoo double time! The contract is signed, the hot tub is heating, and Hugh bought us lamb chops to grill for dinner. He just brought me a plate of goat cheese.
Today, life is pretty good. Tommorow might be even better.
Lauren
Florida fun
Moderator: CHGPA BOD