First Hang Glide Training. 26 OCT 09

This is a repost of my first lessons and training.  The posting date was 26 OCT 09

Hey Gang,

Well I went and got my first lessons this weekend at LMFC. I have to say that Dan is a great instructor, and I got to spend some time listening to Gordon also. (And I can't forget Diana) who also was helping out with the class of fledgling chicks out there.

Saturday the winds were too high and swirly to let us even go off on the bunny hill, so we spent a lot of time running down the field (very very gentle incline) to get the feel for "LIGHT HANDS... JUST KEEP RUNNING". I actually got to get my first air time (about 3 steps worth) when a gust came up and Dan said "GO GO GO!!!". (Thanks Dan). Dan and Diana were GREAT about running with us, and then carrying the glider back for the next person, so that we would have more energy for running. I kept wanting to stop short so they wouldn't have so far to walk, but they told me that they wanted me to learn.

That evening I got a tandem ride up to 2000 ft. and had a great time. (Once I got it into my head that the harness WOULD hold me, that the glider WASN'T going to break in half, and that every little 'bump' in the air would not lead to my imminent and screaming demise). Got some time on the controls, and had a great time.

Sunday we got out to the practice field bright and early, and learned how to put the glider together. Then off to the bunny hill for some flights. Osama (a visiting pilot who was waiting for condtions to go off the mountain) joined us. We got a bunch in, I probably got 8 or 9 flights in, and got some glide out of all of them. By noon I was pretty much done in, I thought all that bicycling and walking I do put me in good shape, but it didn't prepare me for balancing a glider on my shoulders and running down hill. Thank GOD for the ATV's to pull them up to the top... With out them, our class would never have gotten so many flights in. MANY KUDOS and THANKS to Osama for driving the ATV most of the morning, so Dan could focus on getting us off the hill.

Great group of folks, lots of fun, lots of good odd-ball types, so I felt like I fit right in.

I will be back.... the saga WILL continue.....

Steve 

My first weekend hooked me.  Even though I was only flying about 5 foot off the ground at most, it was the greatest feeling I've had sober with my pants on.  I got some video of those flights I'll post in a later blog entry.

Steve