Friday, September 30, 2011
Team Challenge 2011 - Day 5
Just had my longest flight ever. Completed my task and then I went downrange. Met up with, and ended up chasing Bubba Goodman and Terry Presley that were free flying. Landed at Marrion County Airport for a total of 53 miles — at Marrion County Airport-Brown Field.
Team Challenge 2011 - Day 4
Yesterday: Early rise to go into Georgia to pick up my new wing. Mike Barber, the world record for distance in a Hang-Glider helped me put the leading edges in and inspect it. Dennis Pagen, the guy who writes the books on Hang-Gliding and Para-Gliding, assisted with the setup and inspection. Dave Hopkins (distance record holder in New England) advised me on the transition to topless gliders. Mike Barber then gave me a lesson on transitioning. Relaxed for a while and waited for better conditions, then a 30 minute sunset flight where I couldn't get down faster than the sun! Excellent day! Only at Team Challenge can you get this kind of help and support.
Friday, June 10, 2011
The Art of Combat
Today was the worst day of the East Coast Championships 2011 at Highland Aerosports in Ridgely, MD. A stellar week of awesome technical flying, my longest distance flight yet, and a trip to the beach on a day it was 108 degrees on the heat index. I can't complain about the East Coast Championship at all. On the contrary, it has been an awesome meet. Unfortunately, sometimes things happen that just ruin your day.
Today, my flight out of the park started out with a good climb heading downrange for the first leg of the task. As Nick and I circled slowly and climbed out, I saw a gaggle under the next cloud along course, and since my climb petered out to a 50fpm, I decided to jump in under them and try to move on course while Nick stayed back. Part of my decision was governed by my score; due to some GPS malfunctions (a fried GPS receiver), I lost some serious points. I needed to be more aggressive today in order to make up points and knock Brian out of first place.
As I came in 50-75 feet under the gaggle, I was unable to find the climb they were in. I scoured all over, after losing 500 ft. I decided to go back to the previous cloud where Nick was still circling, and most of the Sport class had joined him. I came back and found a mediocre climb at best and was now stuck for the next 20 minutes circling back up in trash. Meanwhile, the rest of the Sport Class headed downrange. I went from first on course to last on course.
I finally jumped to the next cloud again and warfled in more garbage. Not finding anything significant, I continued on downrange searching to no avail. As I sunk lower and lower, I switched into survival mode and tried to pull off a low save at 500ft. I tipped up on my wing tip and tried to core the thermal, or what I thought was a thermal. It turned out to be a bubble and on one turn I came part way out and by the time I came back around, the bubble had left me behind. I landed and called April our driver.
Nick, and Toni, were not far from my position so we headed off to pick them up. After a long ordeal involving irate farmers with knives and shotguns, and the local sheriff, we headed back toward the airpark with some all riled up, and myself introspective and playing back the incident in my head along with all the possible outcomes that could have been much worse.
The day then started to get drastically better when we stopped for an ice cream and I was pleasantly introduced to 'Pretzel Cones', one of the best inventions to hit ice cream in years. After consuming our cold creamy, sweet, and salty treats on a hot and tempestuous day, we arrived back at the flight park where I was greeted with the best part of the day. Paris Williams volunteered to show me around the Aeros Combat he was demoing this season.
We spent some time going over the glider and getting the hang strap hooked up. As we set up the gear Paris realized I was using a 3 point tow and recommended I 'pro tow' with a topless glider for better results. I had never pro-towed before so I was a bit nervous about adding it on my first time flying a topless glider. Sunny joined us to help out, and much discussion began over the do's and do not's. Too many things to keep in my head.
I started to feel a bit overwhelmed so I asked them to stop and tell me the top one or two things I should be focused on so I didn't have too much to focus on at once. Paris immediately came in step and said, "It's a hang-glider, you already know how to fly, so do what you know." He then proceeded to narrow down two things to keep in focus as we marched the glider down the flight line. I felt better already. As we walked the glider on cart down the runway, we joked about the resemblance to the movie 'The Right Stuff', as they walk to the flight line.
Sunny returned after getting April to bring the tug. I prepped and set up on the cart. Sunny and Paris hooked me up to April and waved the line out. As the line became taught, I took a deep breath, soaked in the moment, then gave the launch command. The tug engine roared up, the brakes released, and we started to roll down the runway headlong to the sky. The glider was surprisingly smooth (due to the fin on the back) and it felt similar to flying my sport 2 but in many ways easier.
April waved me off around 3600', and like a little school boy I began to test out the capabilities of this amazing wing. I glided around for a bit testing out the controls and the turns, then I pulled in and shot across the sky like a comet. FAST MACHINE!!! I flew all directions of the compass point and was still at 2500'. I looked at the town of Ridgely 5 miles away and decided to see how the glide handled. I made it to Ridgely and back only losing 100 or so feet. NOTE: the next day I tried that in my Sport 2 and as I was half way there, I turned and looked at the flight park and knew I would make Ridgely, but I would be landing there and definitely not making it back.
I continued to soak in the Combat and play with the speed and VG, then decided to try a few wing overs to test the handling. SWEEEEEET!!! Unfortunately my flight was coming to an end and I started thinking about landing this sleek wing. Of course, the entire population of pilots at the comp, were now out on the field watching me and waiting to see if I screwed up. Tom had cruely told Paris that I was known in New England as 'Pound In Randy'. So Paris was now nervous I was going to crash his glider. Tom only made him suffer for a few minutes I hear, before telling him the truth.
The pressure was on in front of an audience of highly skilled aviators but I nailed my landing. As I walked the glider down the runway with a Cheshire Cat Grin on my face, Tom Lanning, Paris, and Sunny came riding up in the golf cart to greet me. They asked how it was, to which I replied, "I have two things to say: 1. Tom, I am going to WHOOP your butt now! 2. Paris, what are you flying tomorrow?" :-D
In conclusion, Paris needed the glider for one more comp and then was selling the glider. I told Sunny I wanted it and let me know when it is ready.
UPDATE: I should be picking up the glider tomorrow or Tuesday (9/26/2011)
As I came in 50-75 feet under the gaggle, I was unable to find the climb they were in. I scoured all over, after losing 500 ft. I decided to go back to the previous cloud where Nick was still circling, and most of the Sport class had joined him. I came back and found a mediocre climb at best and was now stuck for the next 20 minutes circling back up in trash. Meanwhile, the rest of the Sport Class headed downrange. I went from first on course to last on course.
 |
| Paris setting the VG. |
Nick, and Toni, were not far from my position so we headed off to pick them up. After a long ordeal involving irate farmers with knives and shotguns, and the local sheriff, we headed back toward the airpark with some all riled up, and myself introspective and playing back the incident in my head along with all the possible outcomes that could have been much worse.
The day then started to get drastically better when we stopped for an ice cream and I was pleasantly introduced to 'Pretzel Cones', one of the best inventions to hit ice cream in years. After consuming our cold creamy, sweet, and salty treats on a hot and tempestuous day, we arrived back at the flight park where I was greeted with the best part of the day. Paris Williams volunteered to show me around the Aeros Combat he was demoing this season.
We spent some time going over the glider and getting the hang strap hooked up. As we set up the gear Paris realized I was using a 3 point tow and recommended I 'pro tow' with a topless glider for better results. I had never pro-towed before so I was a bit nervous about adding it on my first time flying a topless glider. Sunny joined us to help out, and much discussion began over the do's and do not's. Too many things to keep in my head.
I started to feel a bit overwhelmed so I asked them to stop and tell me the top one or two things I should be focused on so I didn't have too much to focus on at once. Paris immediately came in step and said, "It's a hang-glider, you already know how to fly, so do what you know." He then proceeded to narrow down two things to keep in focus as we marched the glider down the flight line. I felt better already. As we walked the glider on cart down the runway, we joked about the resemblance to the movie 'The Right Stuff', as they walk to the flight line.
 |
| CLEAN!!! |
April waved me off around 3600', and like a little school boy I began to test out the capabilities of this amazing wing. I glided around for a bit testing out the controls and the turns, then I pulled in and shot across the sky like a comet. FAST MACHINE!!! I flew all directions of the compass point and was still at 2500'. I looked at the town of Ridgely 5 miles away and decided to see how the glide handled. I made it to Ridgely and back only losing 100 or so feet. NOTE: the next day I tried that in my Sport 2 and as I was half way there, I turned and looked at the flight park and knew I would make Ridgely, but I would be landing there and definitely not making it back.
I continued to soak in the Combat and play with the speed and VG, then decided to try a few wing overs to test the handling. SWEEEEEET!!! Unfortunately my flight was coming to an end and I started thinking about landing this sleek wing. Of course, the entire population of pilots at the comp, were now out on the field watching me and waiting to see if I screwed up. Tom had cruely told Paris that I was known in New England as 'Pound In Randy'. So Paris was now nervous I was going to crash his glider. Tom only made him suffer for a few minutes I hear, before telling him the truth.
In conclusion, Paris needed the glider for one more comp and then was selling the glider. I told Sunny I wanted it and let me know when it is ready.
UPDATE: I should be picking up the glider tomorrow or Tuesday (9/26/2011)
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Year End Close Out - 2010
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| Sanctuary. |
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| Coring up and away from Greylock. |
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| Made my first goal. Allen was there to greet me. |
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| Kip having a snack. Big bugs in Tennessee! |
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| Kearsarge |
Allen Stannish was excellent company on the trip and we shared many laughs while camping out there. I took 1st Place for B Pilots, our team took a hotly contested 2nd Place, and I tied for 'Rookie of the Year' with Tim Martin (RIP). I came home to a limited flying season, and little to no coastal soaring Fall/Winter due to weather malfunctions. I did end up winning the 2010 Vermont Hang-Gliding Association 'XC Contest' for '0-25 mile class' and elevated myself into the '25-50 mile class' for this coming year. Lookout Rodger. ;-)
All in all, an awesome year with many great experiences!
 |
| Sunset from Mt. Tom on the way to Skinner. |
New sites flown: Cannon Mountain, Mt. Tom, Ridgely (Highland Aerosports), Whitwell (TN)
Hours for year: 74.55
Hours in New England: 69
Total Hours at year end: 179.15
Total Flights for year: 46
Total Flights at year end: 369
Longest Flight for 2010: 5hrs 33 min
Average time/flight for 2010: 1hour 37minutes
XC Flights: 12
Longest XC Distance: 31 miles
Special thanks to Kip Stone, Filippo Oppici, and Tom Lanning for their assistance/support. Thanks to all of those I was able to share the skies with, the new friends I made, and the support that pours out from fellow pilots, family, and friends. Looking forward to 2011 season which is off to a great start!
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Who does XC in November in New England?!?!!? - Mt. Tom (1st Flight)
I had been doing a new workout (Cross-Pit) for a few weeks that was really whipping me into some awesome shape. I was feeling like some adventurous exercise to test things out. Flying Mt. Tom has been on my agenda for a while now. Mt. Tom is a site often exclusive to Para-Gliders due to the hike up a 70 to 80% grade on loose shale.
I was up for some rigorous training but 60lbs. of glider and 40-50lbs of gear is a bit beyond my limits without an all day event up such a steep climb. If I was going to fly Mt. Tom, I was going to need another pilot to assist with the hike. I called J-J as he's always up for an adventure. J-J was on board and looking to fly there as well. We both had morning activities in the way so we decided to meet around noon and head out.
After rendezvousing at the meeting point, we had both been doing some quick calculations and realized with the allotted time, only one pilot was going to be able to fly. J-J was fine with sitting this one out, and offered to go along and help me out. We embarked and arrived around 3pm at the base of Mt. Tom.
We quickly unloaded the car and I put on some cold weather gear for the flight. We hit the trail and made it to the summit in 30 minutes. If I recall, we stopped once or twice to revitalize. The killer wasn't the hike, or the rocky trail, it was the thousands of leaves lining the trail that made for some slippery climbing.
We quickly set up my glider and I did a pre-flight. Then we inspected launch and came up with an idea of how to approach it and where J-J was going to be on the wing. The wind was blowing about 15 to 20 mph but everything seemed manageable.
As I approached launch, the sculpture of the cliff gave the wind plenty of opportunity to make things difficult. The air was gnarly and J-J had to jump from wing to wing to assist me in keeping the glider on the cliff. In retrospect, I will not launch here again without a 2 or 3 person wire crew. At one point I felt like I was going to be sucked over the edge. As my nerves wound up, my patience grew thin, and the pucker-factor was way beyond 10! I decided the safest thing to do was get into the air by any means necessary.
The terrain was too slippery and steep to back off launch with just the two of us. I waited for the glider to stop moving (on the ground), lifted the wing slightly to test the air. I felt the wing stabilize so I pulled in, and ran like a demon from hell, leaving the sun lit red brimstone of the mountain in my dust.
Once I was in the air I relaxed and settled in to the screaming lift coming off the ridge. I zipped up so I would stay warm, buzzed launch to thank J-J, and headed North to get some pictures. As I returned to launch, J-J had already left and began the descent. The plan was for him to get the car and meet me at the pre-determined LZ.
I began exploring the ridge and realizing I could do a bit more than just stay at Mt. Tom. There were small ratty thermals poking up, and I was able to get 700 fpm up in a few of them. I topped out at 2076' but had plenty of altitude over the 1100' ridge. I began to eye Mt. Holyoke in Skinner State Park to the North, another site I have flown.
As I flew the ridge and pondered trying to jump the gap to Skinner, I bounced back and forth between laying out my strategy, and fighting the inner turmoil in my head that was going to send J-J to the wrong LZ waiting for me to land, and then finding no sign of me. Plus I would be on the other side of the river which was not an easy hop skip and a jump (unless you're in the air).
I had left the radio behind as it was added weight. So I had no way of communicating my intentions with J-J. Eventually I decided, flying two sites in one day without touching the ground, and making an attempt at something I had yet to try but chomped at the bit to do, was far more important than a little stress and out of the way driving for my compatriot. Off I went.
I gained as much altitude as I could, topping out at a little over 2k feet. I setup my course, had my bailouts if I didn't make it, pulled the bar in to best glide, and lunged forth into the unknown. Visor was down, I tucked my arms and elbows, and streamlined my body as tight as I could get it. I stayed ever vigil on bar position the entire way as I had no room to spare - this was going to be tight.
There was no margin for error if I made a mistake, or got lazy on my glide as there would be no lift in between. The late day and lack of thermal activity meant I that whatever altitude I left with, was all I had in the bag.
I made it! I came in to the ridge and picked up the lift band climbing back out. I arrived about 200' over launch with a huge ass grin on my face. Followed by a few hoots and hollars. By now I had completely forgotten about my hesitation and inconveniencing my friend. The party was on!
I soared the Holyoke range soaking in the glory and then proceeded to do a few wing overs to celebrate. As I simmered down, I noticed the view settling in over the valley.
As dusk quickly approached, I soaked every last minute I could get of the spectacular view then peeled out to make my final approach. I flew down the riverbed and came in to the LZ with a nice no step landing to a few cars that had stopped to see the show.
After snapping a few pics I called J-J and gave him my location for retrieve. He quickly got on course and arrived 25 minutes later to pick me up. Thanks go out to him for his support!
Total airtime: 35:00 minutes.
Total distance: 5.01 miles
 |
| J-J and I starting up the trail. |
I was up for some rigorous training but 60lbs. of glider and 40-50lbs of gear is a bit beyond my limits without an all day event up such a steep climb. If I was going to fly Mt. Tom, I was going to need another pilot to assist with the hike. I called J-J as he's always up for an adventure. J-J was on board and looking to fly there as well. We both had morning activities in the way so we decided to meet around noon and head out.
 |
| The Summit! |
 |
| J-J looking thrilled after the hike. |
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| Launch. Not a fun one! |
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| Times ticking. Not much daylight left. |
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| Mt. Tom Range, Connecticut River, Skinner State Park in the distance. |
The terrain was too slippery and steep to back off launch with just the two of us. I waited for the glider to stop moving (on the ground), lifted the wing slightly to test the air. I felt the wing stabilize so I pulled in, and ran like a demon from hell, leaving the sun lit red brimstone of the mountain in my dust.
 |
| Full moon on one side. |
Once I was in the air I relaxed and settled in to the screaming lift coming off the ridge. I zipped up so I would stay warm, buzzed launch to thank J-J, and headed North to get some pictures. As I returned to launch, J-J had already left and began the descent. The plan was for him to get the car and meet me at the pre-determined LZ.
 |
| Sunset on the other. |
I began exploring the ridge and realizing I could do a bit more than just stay at Mt. Tom. There were small ratty thermals poking up, and I was able to get 700 fpm up in a few of them. I topped out at 2076' but had plenty of altitude over the 1100' ridge. I began to eye Mt. Holyoke in Skinner State Park to the North, another site I have flown.
 |
| View from aloft. |
 |
| Sunset. |
 |
| Affectionately known as 'The Rock', more appropriately named 'The Radiation!'. |
I had left the radio behind as it was added weight. So I had no way of communicating my intentions with J-J. Eventually I decided, flying two sites in one day without touching the ground, and making an attempt at something I had yet to try but chomped at the bit to do, was far more important than a little stress and out of the way driving for my compatriot. Off I went.
 |
| Almost there! A little closer... |
 |
| MADE IT!!! Skinner Launch fly by. |
There was no margin for error if I made a mistake, or got lazy on my glide as there would be no lift in between. The late day and lack of thermal activity meant I that whatever altitude I left with, was all I had in the bag.
 |
| View of LZ after passing by launch. Plenty of ridge lift here too! |
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| The Skinner State Park Summit House - Proof of Flight. |
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| Hard to go land when you have a view like this! |
As dusk quickly approached, I soaked every last minute I could get of the spectacular view then peeled out to make my final approach. I flew down the riverbed and came in to the LZ with a nice no step landing to a few cars that had stopped to see the show.
After snapping a few pics I called J-J and gave him my location for retrieve. He quickly got on course and arrived 25 minutes later to pick me up. Thanks go out to him for his support!
 |
| Breaking down in the dark. |
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| Full moon over Mt. Holyoke. |
Total airtime: 35:00 minutes.
Total distance: 5.01 miles
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