We had more snow here at Lookout again today. It started this morning and quit around 2:00 leaving 2-3 inches in the field. James, Scott, Ron, Roxy, Sara, and I started pushing around clumps of snow until they got huge. Then we piled them up and created this big, friendly monster. He even has a little mini-me friend on his shoulder. We are making bets as to how long he will last this week. I know that if it's warm and launchable, someone is gonna try to knock that top hat off during landing.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Monday, March 1, 2010
I call her "Woody"
I just got the little hero wide camera the other day and have been anxious to try it out. I hope the still pics it takes will be sharp enough. It has an auto feature that shoots a pic every 2 or 5 seconds. I think that will come in handy for shots like wingovers where timing is everything; and I won't have to push any buttons.
Anyway, yesterday I found a chance to use it on top of my Battlebeast- a 6ft wingspan terror in the sky. It has slain many o' wings, and is feared by all.
The lift was very light so Bob and I had to work for altitude to play with. Not wanting to lose the camera, we opted out of combat and tried some formation flying instead. The lift finally ended and we were both forced to either land on the ramp, or go for the walk of shame. Check it out.
Anyway, yesterday I found a chance to use it on top of my Battlebeast- a 6ft wingspan terror in the sky. It has slain many o' wings, and is feared by all.
The lift was very light so Bob and I had to work for altitude to play with. Not wanting to lose the camera, we opted out of combat and tried some formation flying instead. The lift finally ended and we were both forced to either land on the ramp, or go for the walk of shame. Check it out.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Bored?
A couple of weeks ago it snowed a bit and we got out to play in it. For the first time ever, we mixed aviation and snowboarding here at the flightpark. Check out the short video of the fun.
Speaking of the snow, check out this weather man freaking out on TV while giving the weather report. It may be time for a vacation.
And while we are looking at videos, check out this illusion.
I thought this was a cool shot. and this one too.
Here is Alex Trebek laughing at a contestant on Jeopardy.
Thanks to Scott for turning me on to wimp.com. Good stuff! He is one cool dude.
Speaking of the snow, check out this weather man freaking out on TV while giving the weather report. It may be time for a vacation.
And while we are looking at videos, check out this illusion.
I thought this was a cool shot. and this one too.
Here is Alex Trebek laughing at a contestant on Jeopardy.
Thanks to Scott for turning me on to wimp.com. Good stuff! He is one cool dude.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Friday, February 12, 2010
Yea mon
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Lookout! Snow and Ice
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Getting cold feet

What an awesome flight! The air was so smooth which made for nice, predictable maneuvering. I love days like this. Check out the short video of the landing.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Flight on 1-19-10 (cows and pigs)

I got over the ridge after a bit then Lucas launched joining me. After working 15-20 minutes we had gained about 700 ft over launch and I went out in the valley. I guess the excitement of working that thermal overtook me and I found myself flying towards Trenton with the intention of going for a little XC flight. (from 700 over :)) After hitting a thin, useless piece of lift over the high school I picked the field across the highway to land in.
After landing, 3 or 4 police cars started whizzing around getting ready to intercept me as I walked toward the fence. The excitement built as more people stopped to ask if I was OK and if I had crashed. I assured them that I was fine as I began breaking down my glider.The landowner was really friendly and told me the cattle and 1 bull in the field might be curious about me; soon they were sniffing my glider and harness looking for my snack bar inside. After a while Bob and Scott showed up to get my glider and me out of the mud and back home.
It's funny how sometimes a 3 mile XC flight can be one of those that will stick in your head forever. Hang gliding life is incredible!

Sunday, January 3, 2010
Happy New Year!
Happy New Year everyone. John C, Scott, James(staples) and I decided to brave the below freezing temps for a good old New Years Day flight. Scott, James and I took off towards the point in Chattanooga. Solid ridge lift made getting there and back a breeze. It was a lot of fun and I can't think if any better way to bring in a new decade than by a cold, scenic cross-county flight with my buds. Check out the flight in the video below. The LZ got a little switchy on us while landing, but everyone pulled it off with style.
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
More from the vault
My "anonymous" buddy Scott complained a bit about the fact that I don't post enough on the ole' blog. So, I decided to put up some more pics from the vault. The first one is of Scott and was taken just after his first successful paraglider tree landing. Be sure and check out his new blog at http://paint2fly.blogspot.com/
Having fun with the shutter speed and a keychain light.
The hard part is over...
This is probably the grossest tatt I've ever seen (not mine)
A shot from the new bird.
Lift-off of a new rocket with my oldest son.
Running under low, thick clouds on my way to the point in Chattanooga.
Poor feller....




Sunday, December 20, 2009
Come to a Comp!
I have posted a link to the U.S. competitions and dates to the right of this posts, check it out. To me, a hang gliding comp is the ultimate adventure. Flying XC over beautiful, foreign landscapes and then getting a ride back to your hotel is something else. Meeting the best pilots in the country/world and getting to fly with them is invaluable and can teach you more in one week than in a whole year of regular flying. I was very intimidated by comps before I attended my first one but if you are a decent spot lander, can aerotow well, and can keep your wits about you, you will do fine and fly safe. Most places I have flown in competition have more/larger cross-country LZ's than my local sites do. If you like XC flying, this is for you.
Let me know if you are interested in going with me, the more the merrier. Most of them are adding a sport class category. Here are a few shots I have taken during some competitions.
Lake in west Texas
Let me know if you are interested in going with me, the more the merrier. Most of them are adding a sport class category. Here are a few shots I have taken during some competitions.
Monday, November 30, 2009
The Latest Scultpures
Sunday, November 22, 2009
New Wing

Thursday I went back to the top around 1:30pm for another flight. There were light winds and a nice crowd on launch, maybe 8 - 10 gliders. I launched first and found a decent wintertime thermal that, once above the ridge, turned on quite nicely and took me 2,400 over launch. Then I cruised out into the valley to play with the VG and test the speed range of the new beast.

After playing a while I went back to find Lucas, Carl, Scott, and others in the air. Twirling around low in a thermal with Scott sure was fun. It reminded me of other "good ole days". After about an hour I was ready to land and headed down to the LZ. Landing the T2C was just as predictable as flying it. Again, the roll response stays good all the way through the stall.

Wednesday, November 11, 2009
T2 144 For Sale
This is a GREAT flying glider! Previously owned and well cared for by Terry Presley, it is now on loan to me while I wait on my new wing to arrive from Wills Wing. It is in excellent shape with 50-75 hours on it. The sail is still "crispy" when you roll it up. Asking price is $4,000 o.b.o. Leave a comment if you are interested. Thanks.

Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)