Sunday, July 2, 2006
NEWS FLASH!!!
Maya wrote an article about this great adventure, check it out here.
Yesterday I checked another item off my list of things I must do before I die. I got the chance to go glidering (word coiled by Maya)! The day was almost perfect, nice and hot which leads to an abundance of thermals being created. We arrived at the airport at 10:45, both up early excited... We were there about an hour earlier than we needed to be, but got a chance to check out the airport, and see the airport community.
Eagles Nest, as I learned, is not only an active airport (uncontrolled, 2200ft runway with grass parallel runway for gliders), but also referrers to the subdivision that lines the west side of the runway. However, instead of there being cars in the garages, airplane hangers adorn the houses. It must be nice to be able to fly to work everyday!
Anyway, I am getting off topic, the main hangers are closer to the runways, and one hanger is rented by the glider club, which meets every Saturday and Sunday to fly the glider planes. Once Dennis, a co-worker/mentor at Sperry-and more importantly, our ticket to the sky, arrived, we were able to start setting up for the days flying.
We began by pulling out the glider from the hanger, a tricky thing to do, as it was slid in at an odd angle, so as to fit with the puller plane and 3 other gliders. Once on the runway, we taxied up to the north end of the field. You always want to take off and land a plane (or glider) into the wind, so as to reduce the speed over the ground. The glider we used only, an LET L23 Super Blanik, has 1 main wheel, and uses caster sized wing tip and tail wheels to keep the gliders wings from getting too beat up.
By the time we got the glider out and aligned, more members of the club had arrived, and it was time to take to the air. Maya and Dennis were first up, I don't think I have seen her happier! Once they were all strapped in, the puller plane (a converted 235hp Piper Pawnee crop duster) was roped to the glider and off they went! I followed the action from the ground, watching as they were pulled into the air (long before the Pawnee got off the ground), and climbed off into the sky. Once out of sight, I followed the action on the radio, learning that they were going up over 64 to try and find thermals over by a large Target distribution center parking lot. Once up to altitude (about 4000ft above sea level) Dennis pulls a release handle, disconnecting the rope attached to the front of the glider and things got quieter over the radio.
Maya's flight lasted about 20 minutes, and as the plane came in to land, I could distinctly see a shimmering light coming from the cockpit, I am quite sure it was the shit-eating grin Maya had glued to her face.
A couple of hours later, after Dennis completed a powered flight lesson, and we had gotten some food in us, it was mine turn. I new from the first time I saw the glider it was going to be a great time, and it definitely did not fail me in that respect! The air was a little choppy going up, but once we got up, things started to smooth out. The only way I can explain the feeling of being in the glider is that it is kind of a cross between hang gliding and flying a Cessna. It's quite like the hang glider, but faster and more protected like a Cessna.
I think the turns are the best part, you can bank at incredible angles, I think we were pushing 70degrees one time, as we spun around to try and refind a thermal. The funny thing about thermals is there inconsistency. Particularly on slightly windy days, such as yesterday. The columns of air on a still day would simply rise up, maintaining a constant area that a glider can circle, like an eagle, in and gain altitude. However, on breezy days, this vertical column of air get broken up and blown around, making it much more difficult to find with the glider. While we still had altitude, I got the chance to take the controls for a few minutes, and navigate a couple of turns. The glider responded very well to my touch, it was very responsive.
The landing was great also, we touched down to the east of the runway, on the single wheel, bouncing along until we slowed to a stop, at which point one wing flopped over to the ground and it was all over. If only I had the money to do this every weekend! I think the next big adventure will be quarry jumping, gotta keep the action up you know!