My neck has been cramping into spasms of agony, ever since I transitioned to my new Rotor harness, even after flights of half an hour. My launches, which I thought were long since established, have also suffered. It's hard to feel what is going on when your neck has disappeared into your shoulders, squashed like a squirrel in the road. Further, I have been unable to turn my head enough to see my "spot" when landing. It's like I have been paralyzed.
I finally figured out that I was hanging too low to the base tube. I always wanted to hang as low as possible, for roll authority, but since the Rotor harness chute is on the side instead of under my tummy, when I scrape the base tube I am far closer to it than I have ever been (than when flying my WW Z5, which has a front mounted chute). My poor little neck, never long anyhow, has been compressed even more.
Today, Nirvana! I hung about 2 inches higher and was MUCH more comfortable. Of course, I also locked out today, for the first time ever, but I was at 2000 feet so it was OK. Good education. I had a fun flight in crappy air - featuring rough, low, broken lift. It's fun to fly with Paul in the same caliber of glider.
Unfortunately we land at exactly the same time, many, many days, and this is scary as hell. My first landing I was distracted (by Paul, though it was obviously not his fault), and never popped the slider bar upright until I was ready to flare. I couldn't figure out what was wrong, but I couldn't rock up (I have not had this problem for weeks). At least my instincts proved to be right and I flared the hell out of Angel and we landed fine. I flew another pattern tow for practice and nailed the landing so I don't need to stay up all night worrying about how I screwed up the first time. Like Jim says, "KA-THUNK" -- that's the slider moving -- needs to be part of my landing routine.
I've had lots of good experience lately. I broke a weak link very low a few days ago, my first weak link break in the Litespeed, and one of my first flights when she was paired with the Rotor -- so it was good to get it out of the way. I pulled in, then closed one eye and threw the bar out when the ground arrived, and somehow I ended up standing.
I really need to practice approaches, though. I get slicker every day, losing some kind of drag. With the lower sprogs, good harness, and the loss of the big fin Angel just enjoys herself a little too much. This is great for flying but the glider absolutely never comes down for landing. It's like landing a sailplane. So I have accomplished lots but have lots more to learn.
Have you heard the old riddle-- how do you eat an elephant? The answer is easy; you eat it one bite at a time, start chewing . That's how you accomplish an impossible task. Sometimes my jaws get tired but I am at least half way through one blubbery gray thigh.
Lauren
eating the elephant
Moderator: CHGPA BOD
elephantoon
I'm choking on just the toe! - Linda
-
John Dullahan
- Posts: 152
- Joined: Sat Feb 19, 2005 7:43 pm
Eating the Elephant
Lauren,
Among the things I like about your reports is the "warts and all" aspect - which impart more "lessons learned," especially from a safety and problem-solving perspective, than the more common reports amplifying successes.
Personally, I never had any problem with the "Kachunk" and jarring when getting upright - maybe a little silicon would make it happen sooner (If it starts sliding when you are just starting to get upright then it's more gradual - even a slight delay makes for greater jarring. Mine has always been sudden but I got used to it).
It was great seeing you, Paul, Kevin, Mark F. and Mitch again, and meeting the unassuming Bo, the Brits, and other interesting characters. I am looking forward to the next attempt and hope nothing occurs to prevent me getting down there and getting some flight time.
I think Paul will do well with the T2 - I really liked its light handling - despite its large size, and you are getting the Litespeed to serve you well.
Keep the reports coming - we are all rooting for you back here.
Give my best to Paul and best of luck to you both.
John
Among the things I like about your reports is the "warts and all" aspect - which impart more "lessons learned," especially from a safety and problem-solving perspective, than the more common reports amplifying successes.
Personally, I never had any problem with the "Kachunk" and jarring when getting upright - maybe a little silicon would make it happen sooner (If it starts sliding when you are just starting to get upright then it's more gradual - even a slight delay makes for greater jarring. Mine has always been sudden but I got used to it).
It was great seeing you, Paul, Kevin, Mark F. and Mitch again, and meeting the unassuming Bo, the Brits, and other interesting characters. I am looking forward to the next attempt and hope nothing occurs to prevent me getting down there and getting some flight time.
I think Paul will do well with the T2 - I really liked its light handling - despite its large size, and you are getting the Litespeed to serve you well.
Keep the reports coming - we are all rooting for you back here.
Give my best to Paul and best of luck to you both.
John
John Dullahan