Florida Report

Paul Tjaden · Post by **Paul Tjaden** » Mon Nov 19, 2007 9:59 am

Haven't posted for quite some time so I thought I'd let everyone know that we are still alive and flying down here in paradise. Quest was actually like old times this weekend as at least 10 pilots had flights ranging from 30 minutes to over an hour on both days. I think Mitch Shipley had the FOD yesterday but he landed about 10 miles away at the Seminole Glider Port so I'm not certain about his stats other than I'm pretty certain the Rat Bastard kicked my butt. Besides the solo flights, there have been lots of tandem dicovery flights with several people expressing a desire for training. Quest will probably close next April or May but we're still flying here now. Come on down this winter and join us!
BTW, this was my first time back in the air after 3 weeks of self grounding due to a weird bout with vertigo. A few weeks ago, while getting out of bed, I found the room spinning and tumbling as though I was in a washing machine. The sensation only lasted for 10 or 15 seconds but was very disconcerting. This episode was repeated numerous times over the next couple of weeks and was mostly caused by lying on my back and turning my head to the right, although some days I would feel light headed and slightly dizzy all day. An ENT Doctor told me it was probably acute rather than chronic and gave me excercises to help me. About the time I was starting to think that I might be really screwed and never fly again, the vertigo left as suddenly as it had come. After 5 or 6 days of no episodes, I flew again this weekend and I'm pretty certain it's gone for good. Not to bring back sad memories, but I am now more convinced than ever that it was something like this that caused Terry Spencer's accident. If Terry had a vertigo episode like mine while trying to land his glider (Terry told me just two weeks prior that he sometimes had problems like this) it would have been impossible to have any idea which direction was up or down and could have easily brought on the spiral preceding the crash. If any of you ever suffer from something like this, make certain you are completely over it before flying.

Come on down and join us,

Paul

Post by **lbunner** » Mon Nov 19, 2007 4:31 pm

Hey Paul, I too experienced a bought of vertigo back in 1986. Same symptoms, I woke up one morning flat on my back started to roll to the left and ended up rolling to the right as the room was spinning so violently. Went to my physician who referred me to a neurologist who wanted to cut into me. Needless to say I resisted and after a short period of time it went away. I believe it was an alignment issue that may have been exacerbated by a rough landing where I bumped my head (no pain nor glider damage) enough to possibly throw things out of whack (so to speak). I haven't had any episodes in many many years however on occasion I do feel something not quite right. I work it out through massage and the hot tub. Hope your experience is fleeting as well.

Flying Lobster · Post by **Flying Lobster** » Mon Nov 19, 2007 5:05 pm

You guys might want to check out the milkshakes your wives have been feeding you.

marc

Post by **deveil** » Mon Nov 19, 2007 6:18 pm

check out 'Meniere's Disease' or 'Meniere's Syndrome' (as well as your pm's).

Post by **mcelrah** » Wed Nov 21, 2007 1:22 pm

Paul,
I had heard the rumblings about Quest's demise, but it sounds serious now! This is a big loss. What will you do? Will Malcolm accept you refugees? I'm in Florida on a non-flying, non-sailing family Thanksgiving trip (Destin - panhandle). Been here 36 hours and already yelled at my mother-in-law...

- Hugh

Paul Tjaden · Post by **Paul Tjaden** » Wed Nov 21, 2007 6:11 pm

I dunno, Hugh. You yelled at your mother in law? You are either very brave or you've spent too much time at altitude and you're suffering from permanent hypoxia.

Yeah, I'm pretty sure that Quest is breathing it's last few breaths. Russel and Campbell just don't have the interest that they once had and the land owner is going to develope the place as an airport/residential deal.

Pretty certain Uncle Malcom will let us fly at Wallaby as long as we give him proper respect, etc. Actually, he's been pretty friendly and we intend to sneak of to his place in the near future and try to meet some new friends. We already have a strong relationship with Mike Barber so that should help.

Sorry you're stuck in the Panhandle for the holidays. We were there a few weeks back and found little to do. Good luck.

Paul

Paul Tjaden · Post by **Paul Tjaden** » Wed Nov 21, 2007 6:35 pm

Thanks to Gary and Larry for their input regarding the vertigo. Oh yeah, and Marc too. The vertigo problems still seem to be in retreat. I've been good now for well over a week and I'm pretty certain it's gone. It was very scary while it lasted, though. I'm amazed that Larry's Doc would suggest surgery so quickly. Glad you had the smarts to keep away from that nonsense!

Paul

Spark · Post by **Spark** » Wed Nov 21, 2007 6:55 pm

mcelrah wrote:Paul,
... I'm in Florida on a non-flying, non-sailing family Thanksgiving trip (Destin - panhandle). Been here 36 hours and already yelled at my mother-in-law...

- Hugh

Not far from my old diggs. Plenty fun stuff 2Do. Used to sail/race around Santa Rosa Island. (100 miles). Drive W and check out the beach between Navarre and Pensacola beach - 50 miles of pure white sugar sand beach. Squeaks when you walk on it.

Pensacola has an E-facing launch, over 50' vertical, flown (at least) once.

Post by **mcelrah** » Thu Nov 22, 2007 1:08 pm

Ya, Spark, the sand squeaks here, too, but they've really ruined it with too much development in the 20+ years since I started coming here with Sallie. It's OK, I'm running every day and playing tennis on clay courts. Beating my 14-year-old - but just discovered his racket was bent, so that may not last. Brought a wet suit in case I can find a windsurfer for rent in the off season. Even tried a little golf with Sallie. Figure I need to at least get some sort of a stroke so I can be ready when I turn 80 or so.

Usually takes 72 hours to yell at mother-in-law...

So Paul, what will happen to Lisa, Bobby and the rest of the crew at Quest?

- Hugh

Paul Tjaden · Post by **Paul Tjaden** » Fri Nov 23, 2007 9:05 am

I really don't know and I don't think they do either. Lisa is talking about going back to school. Many have left already. Flavia is in Brazil, Mike Brown in Charlston, SC. Shannon leaving soon. I think Rhett will be the main tug pilot this winter and Dustin has been here doing tandems the last couple of weeks. He may be here for most of the winter. Bobby is supposed to continue building Dragonflys but I don't know where.

Anyway, it's kinda sad to watch it all die. We've had some very good times here.

Paul

Post by **brianvh** » Fri Nov 23, 2007 9:35 am

Quest was a big innovator in Towing, and was a major influence on the Highland folks. What a loss.

Post by **mcelrah** » Fri Nov 23, 2007 10:40 am

Worse, Quest was my retirement plan! I wanted to live in a used trailer back in the yard there... - Hugh

Post by **deveil** » Sat Nov 24, 2007 11:25 am

deveil wrote:check out 'Meniere's Disease' or 'Meniere's Syndrome' (as well as your pm's).

btw - acknowledging that my communications may not always be totally clear (some informal estimates have it at only ~30%

) :

i meant that i'd sent you a PM (private message) re: meniere's - not that you should consult a gynecologist for PMS (prejuditial of male shortcomings)

i went ahead and copied it to "lbrunner", in the belief that one is best prepared by being best informed (even if this inffo doesn't turn out to be pertinent).

cheers