Year End Close Out - 2010

Sanctuary.

2010 was a great year for flying.  Many accomplishments and a boat load of flying as well as a bevy of accolades.  This was the year I returned to XC flying.  I had previously only done 2 XC flights long ago at the tail end of my second year flying, right before my 5 to 6 year break.  Someday I'll do a write-up on those first two flights.

Coring up and away from Greylock.

For this past year, I had some amazing flights that will long live in the memory banks.  Some of those include my XC flights of course, but also circling in a thermal on tow behind Rhett as we cored up with Lanning.  That was excellent brain candy.  Flying with some awesome people and having gracious flying friends that chased me, or helped me hike what some might consider grueling terrain, so I could launch my trusty wings.  I can't leave out the great pleasure of flying Skinner with an awesome Canadian pilot named Brian Boudreau.  Looking down on the top of his sail for 2.5 hours was priceless.  :-D  (there you go Brian, I mentioned you in my blog.  Curse away. :-)  ). 

Made my first goal.  Allen was there to greet me.

Kip having a snack.  Big bugs in Tennessee!

The best flights of the year were XC from Morningside to Forbidden Field (XC#5 - 13miles), Morningside to Andover, NH (XC#6 - 29miles), Greylock to 'almost' Equinox (XC#7 - 27miles)(look out below Beckley), hitting 9000' and making my first goal at Team Challenge, escorting my A pilot to goal with our C pilot (Colin) later that week (royally pissing him off), and flying XC in November from Mt. Tom to Skinner (thanks JJ). 

Kearsarge

I set my new personal best for altitude (9k feet), and distance, with the flight to Andover.  I met lots of amazing people at the Tree Toppers Team Challenge in September; it was an unforgettable week.  I learned in one week, a year or two worth of flying skills from some of the best - Mike Barber, Ollie Gregory, Dennis Pagen, Dave Hopkins, etc..

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.

Here are the stats:

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!