Month: June 2026

Flight #1327

This morning was the beginning of the longest day of the year and coincidentally its Fathers Day. I set the alarm for 4:45 to make it out before sunrise and as has been the norm lately. I launched 10 minutes after dawn.

It was a Downwind launch, fortunately, I had plenty of room because the climb out was fast and low. It seemed to be absolutely calm with no hint of breeze at the surface but take off was fast and climb out was slow. I used left brake to stay over the runway while splitting the trees on either side. For the duration of the flight the wind was 8 to 10 mph from the southeast.

It was mildly bumpy with mostly clear air interspersed with patches of disturbed air.

Landing was fast and smooth.

Tech notes. It’s time to start thinking about installing a brake. If I’m going to be landing fast on pavement I need to stop before the wing drops and gets dragged .

It’s time to start thinking about trying out the Throggle.

Flights #1325 & #1326

Apco Lift EZ Lg welcome back to the “Scuderia”!

I missed you.

5 days out of the last 7

A nice string of good morning air has allowed me to reacquaint myself with this great Israeli wing. It’s taken a licking but the repairs are all good and the line set and risers are new. The brake toggles need to be replaced but that’s it.

I’m enjoying not having to babysit a bunch of unsheathed lines. These old school fully sheathed lines were nicely joined to the 1st cascade of bare line. The rigger didn’t leave me much slack on the brakes but they feel perfect. Bravo (?)

The WTS is within reach and feels good.

There is a bunch of GoPro footage in the cloud. If I ever get around to it.

Flight #1322

First flight with the old APCO LIFT EZ. It was a pleasure. The wing came up predictably. It was like old times. Landing was fast with trims in neutral.

I would have stayed up longer but it was very bumpy and didn’t look like it was going to be better higher up.

The old and reliable is new all over again.