Light winds from ESE. Launch was improved by insuring that the brake handle would not impede the throttle. I stayed over the patch and enjoyed the view.
Temp was 74 at launch. High humidity with a marine haze. Good flight. Winds were building and I cut it short.
The field was cut yesterday which made for a better runway but the cuttings are thick and I had a small branch hitchhiking in the C lines. Not an issue.
Somewhat less than perfect. The first launch was aborted when I noticed that the left riser was twisted. It’s good that I spotted it, because after launch it could have been very uncomfortable.
Second attempt was clean. The air was bumpy below 500 ft. And the winds increased as I ascended. The higher I went … the stronger it blew. I set the trim to full reflex and slowly worked my way back to the LZ. Looking at the surface, the ponds didn’t have a ripple and the windsock was barely moving but it was close to 30mph at 1000 ft.
I descended into rowdy air at 400 feet and lurched my way around to a good landing by the truck. Shortly after landing the wind started to fill in. I kited for a bit and loaded up. By the time I was finished the breeze had filled in at the surface to about 12 mph.
Picture perfect in every way. The air was calm. Everything worked and I didn’t piss myself.
This was a last minute decision. The sky was clear and the temperature was high. I should have gone to the traditional field but chose to launch from the cul de sac that I’d partially cleared last time out. The wind was 45 degrees off the runway so I chose to launch from the grass. It looked a bit dicey with a couple of trees that could catch a wingtip. I didn’t like it but there wasn’t enough time to pack up and reset. The surface was bumpy so I laid the ramps out to give the trike smooth start. The launch was … spicy.
Nice flight. The front tire blew again. I don’t know if it was low to start or if the landing caused it. It wasn’t a hard landing.
While packing up Avero came by and we caught up. I was confused by a strange sound that I couldn’t identify. I thought it was coming from the paramotor but it was behind me in the brush. Best guess it was wild bore. Unless the wind is perfect I don’t think I’ll go back to that site.
Nice flight. When I got to the field the wind was 8 to 10mph, swinging 30 degrees W to WNW. I found a well hidden cul de sac pointing W and partly set up. The windsock went up and the motor was warmed. It didn’t look promising but I hoped it would come down before sunset. To kill some time I scraped the worst of the weeds growing through the cracks, in the center of the cul de sac.
Twenty minutes before sunset the wind had come down slightly and was blowing right down the runway. I kited the wing and built a wall.
The takeoff was excellent. I think it would be more comfortable if the hang point were slightly aft allowing the front wheel to lift sooner but I’ll take it. Flying to 2000 ft. I took some sunset shots and enjoyed the view. The ride back was quick and the landing was undramatic.
This was a good confidence builder before the big air show this weekend.
Dawn and dusk. Haven’t done that in a long time!
Both were good flights. This morning it was smooth below 600 feet and very spicy above. Ron Norland and another fellow were flying PPC’s. This afternoon Alvaro was out and we were able to spend a few minutes catching up.
Last minute flight
No Drama. Joe Taylor was already in the air when I got there. It was blowing pretty good, 8+. We chatted while I was setting up. He is on his way back to Michigan tomorrow is his last flight for the season. I’ve a busy day and the Fleet 6 award luncheon but I’ll try.
Air was 4 on bump level. Winds came down nicely closer to sunset. Landed with trims in neutral position. Sunset was much better than the camera showed. Lots of sink after sunset.
This was a very satisfying flight. Yesterday, I was at Lake Suzi and decided not to fly, it just didn’t feel right. The wind was cycling between 3 and 8 mph and shifting randomly through 45 degrees. I didn’t want to have another 2 minute pucker flight because I was being thrashed as soon as I cleared the trees. So, with not a small amount of reluctance, I turned back and headed for home.
It’s early in daylight savings time, the sun is rising at 7:30. Like yesterday, I got up at 5:30 and was out the door an hour later. The predicted winds were 30 degrees off the forecast, making for a cross wind launch at Suzi so at the last minute, I changed plans and skipped Suzi and went to Placida instead.
There was a beautiful pink full moon setting as I drove over the El Jobean Bridge. When we hit the dew point of 70 degrees the windshield fogged up. It was certainly a much warmer morning than usual.
The inflation and runout was,” the best overall “ in a long time. It took about 150 feet to reach takeoff speed but the rotation was clean. It was a little twitchy up to 300 ft and the winds aloft were 45 degrees further south. The clouds were coming in bands. Flying just above them, it looked like a total overcast. The cloud bands were moving southwest at about 12 mph. I’m adverse to landing blind, so, I paid close attention. I was confident that I would not lose sight of the surface but the overcast illusion was persistent until I was 1000 feet above the clouds. They were thickest to the north and very light over the Gaspirilla causeway.
I quit climbing about 15minutes into the flight and enjoyed “buttery air”. The only turbulence I encountered was my own prop wash after some button hook turns. The decent was smooth to 500 feet where it got spicy real quick. I setup to flyby the windsock and hit some nasty sink at 200 feet. In a heartbeat I was 100 feet lower and still descending . I powered up and flew level through some strong rotor coming off the jungle. Eventually I got above it and circled back to a surprising soft and slow landing.
The APCO Lift EZ did really well with the turbulence despite being trims in for landing. I was getting pushed around pretty bad but the wing didn’t oscillate. Today would have been a good day to experiment with 2D steering while I was at altitude in smooth air, I really should have tried flying the wing with both wing tip and brakes together.
After the flight I kited for a bit. Again, the wing felt great. It was a bit damp but still came up nicely. Another point of note; this was the first time I flew with the new flight suit and swamp boots. No bugs or wet feet. No weeds snagging my legs and at altitude I was warm and comfortable. It fits great, even after I landed and tied the top part around my waist. (The alterations cost more than the suit). I’m not sure I care for the color (red) but performance wise …. I’m happy.
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Lake Suzi. Light winds right down the runway. No Drama….
The two new pilots arrived while I was in the air. Despite a couple of good attempts neither one got his solo. The winds were building all morning and that might have psyched em out.
Last night texts were flying and a flock showed up at the patch. Paul had two students ready for their solo, Rob Nordlund, Joe Tayler and I needed a flying fix.
I arrived first, the wind was very light from the north. Rob had already launched and was floating around the patch. He called me from the air on his cell. Excellent clarity ! I set up and stumbled into the air with one of the sloppiest launches in a long time. The wing caught the prop wash immediately and I had to start the rollout completely unprepared. The wing was all over the place and the trike came up on two wheels twice before I managed to get into the brakes and settle things down.
At 300 feet the wind picked up and changed direction. I was making 50 mph heading west and barely penetrating against it. Never the less it was smooth so I was happy to stay up and enjoy the view.
When I landed the winds had increased to 8 and it was getting bumpy. Paul’s new guys didn’t stand a chance. The first tried a forward and almost turtled. His reverse was appropriate but he needed more kiting practice before he would be able to pull that one off.
Among the spectators were two young boys with eyes as big as saucers. Seeing them was the best part of the morning.
Tomorrow we are going to try again from Lake Suzi.
Powered Paragliding. A most Personal form of Flight 
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