three were qualified to fly the hill. The rest worked on groundhandling and
did really well. And.......at days' end, the groundcrew went over to the
SE facing "bump" and got some brief flights as the moon rose over the
horizon. It was very cool and somewhat surreal. Ended up breaking down in
the moonlight.
* Long Green really is a "verge" H-1 hill. Two Saturdays' ago I took a
student on his second day up there to attempt to fly "if" the conditions
were really perfect. Previously he and his group had had an awesome showing
at Cow Pie hill and had gotten 8+ flawless flights in. Additionally...this
group were sky divers' and very experienced with being in tense situations,
in the air etc.
Last week, the one student ( Tom ) did exceptionally well launching from
Long Green. No issues. However; this week when I introduced the hill to the
rest of the Cow Pie group; two of the second day students found Long Green
somewhat intimidating. One student did A-ok. But the other one really got
tense. And....subsequently the flights were somewhat hairy.
In retropect, I will not be taking low time student back up there, and
revert back to my original principals of making sure the students are ready
and capable of flying from Long Green. Again...its kinda' a H-1 hill.
Probably could have flown there again today ( Sunday ) but I geeked and
believed one of the forecasts' that said the winds were going to be 10-15
today. I doubt they ever really got that strong.
That said........Satuday was a hoot. Janni got 8 flights in. And George
Tutor came out and flew for the first time in over a year. My skydiving
guys did well ( considering ) and Sparky's bag student did exceptionally
well. Great time; challenging day. And........the corn and beans are all
gone. Clean as a whistle out there.
Janni and George came back to the shop for beers and wine. Helped push
student Jim the traffic reporter out of the little ditch in the drive that
he accidently drove into. Gave him a beer and sent him on his way after
freeing his car. LOL.
Good times.
Rich