Johnny Flies Solo!

Posted by Jayson on Tue, 06/23/2009 - 22:56 in

Malahat

Click image for more photos!An hour for Charlie
Solos for P.Mac and Cal
And a first high flight for Johnny!

After hiking from the back gate near the Aerie Resort a couple of weeks ago, it was nice to drive through it today and just have the last, albeit tricky, hike to the Malahat launch.

It was sunny but not super hot and the tide was extra low and it felt like everything was lining up for some good flying. We loaded into Charlie's truck at the beach parking area (which was as full as I have ever seen it with bus load upon bus load of school children) and headed up. Bev joined us and not only did she take some great photos, but she hiked back from the takeoff on her own, through the slash and back to the truck where she then drove retrieve for us. Thanks much Bev!

The wind was straight in and stronger than our last time here and Charlie launched first on his Cobra and took it through its paces throughout the next hour or so, thermalling up at various points along the ridge, topping out at the limit a number of times in the process.

Click image for more photos!P.Mac went next on what was his second Malahat flight and, after one easy abort, did a reverse inflation and, after he'd spun around forward, ran off down the SE slope and into the air nicely. The air was a bit more spicy than on his last flight and yet he stuck it out, finding and working some thermals further out front of launch. Good job Paul!

Cal was off next and he flew with Charlie for a bit before heading out with some good height.

And then it was Johnny's turn. After many trips to the Training Hill, mountain and ridge tandem flights, as well as multiple kiting sessions at Dallas, he was ready.

After helping him set up and doing preflight checks, we picked a launch cycle and he started his inflation. He made an easy correction and was off on his first Click image for more photos!attempt - way to go Johnny! After I made sure he was comfortable in his harness and heading to the beach, I launched off myself and then tried to catch him, giving radio input en route as needed, before eventually spiraling down over the beach and landing right after him. Congratulations on your first flight Johnny!