Subject: New guy was at Elkhart Kansas last Labor Day
Hi, JD!
Hey, a bunch of us are starting to wonder if you're practicing
good risk management. You stated:
"I finally got my solo out of the way two weeks ago...I used
[Sonny's] Falcon...Maybe next time I'll try my Ultra Sport...I'm also itching
to try Buffalo Mountain..."
After reading this, and two posts following it about your
situation (thanks, Gerry), I did a little research. I don't find a 'JD Boston'
registered as a member of the USHGA, thus no record of a Beginner or Novice
rating or above.
I'm concerned, both as a long time instructor who loves the sport,
and as a long time instructor who has witnessed the outcome of "Too Much,
Too Soon" on too many occasions. JD, I am concerned for your safety, and I
believe that many other pilots who read the digest are, too.
The Ultrasport is an Intermediate rated glider, and a Beginner or
Novice level pilot who tries to operate it will experience unnecessary risk and
danger. When you bought it, did you assume that you'd 'grow into it'? Historically, new pilots who get into
gliders that are over your head have a much higher incidence of scary
experiences, painful experiences, or just plain quitting the sport. There was a
great thread on this subject that you can find in the Hang Gliding Digest's
Archives beginning around September 10 and lasting through the end of that
month.
Re: Can a new pilot handle an XC 155? Can a new pilot handle an
Ultrasport? Tales of Superwoman. Quizzes about how different the
characteristics are between beginner and more advanced gliders. Please research
these ASAP.
IMNSHO: Professional advice here:
1. Join USHGA if you haven't already done so.
2. Take and pass with flying colors, both the Beginner and Novice
written exams. If your instructor is one who pooh-poohs the written exams, then
get yourself another instructor. (I'm still amazed at instructors who think so
highly of themselves that they believe that their students wouldn't benefit
from passing these standard exams; one runs a major flight school.) File your
rating application with USHGA, or make sure that your instructor accomplishes
this step on your behalf.
3. Take, and pass with flying colors, the Intermediate written
exam as soon as possible, and before you fly that Ultrasport. Once airborne,
you can't read a book. Pack as much relevant knowledge into your head prior to
flying, because it will be your only accessible database while flying.
4. If you don't already have them, acquire and read thoroughly:
"Hang Gliding Training Manual" by Dennis Pagen (as an alternative,
try "Hang Gliding for Beginner Pilots" by Cheney, although Pagen is
more in-depth). Also read thoroughly: "Towing Aloft" by Pagen and
Bryden, and "Performance Flying" by Pagen. As a bonus, bone up on
weather with "The Weather Book" by USA Today, and follow it by
"Understanding the Sky" by Pagen.
5. Arrange to use a Falcon or Pulse or Eagle or Target. If you have
to rent or even buy yourself another glider, do so. Leave that Ultrasport in
storage for a while, or you'll be repairing it more often than you bargained
for...and doing some healing yourself, at that.
6. Don't fly the Ultrasport until you are a very solid Hang 2+
pilot who has also passed the Intermediate (Hang 3) written exam.
7. Last but not least, ask every hang glider pilot that you meet
what they know about 'intermediate syndrome', and heed their warnings.
Please don't assume that this message is harsh or alarmist just to
bust your balls. I intended to open your eyes and perhaps instill in you what
we call, "a healthy level of paranoia." Please fly safely, we're all
looking forward to meeting you.
Blue skies,
Brad Kushner, Pres.
Raven Sky Sports
Whitewater, WI
Hang 5, Region 7 Examiner, Instructor Administrator, Tandem
Administrator, Tow and Aerotow Administrator, yadda, yadda, yadda....really,
just a long time pilot who wants to see everyone who starts hang gliding do it
safely and stick with the sport.
email me at : Brad@hanggliding.com
-----Original Message-----
From: jdboston@earthlink.net [mailto:jdboston@earthlink.net]
Sent: Wednesday, November 21, 2001 12:52 PM
To: HangGlide@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [HG] Who was at Elkhart Kansas last Labor Day
I just joined the group ... My name is JD. I'm looking for the two guys I met in
Elkhart Kansas back on Labor Day. We
truck towed, camped in Chris's yard and just had a lot of fun. I saw your article in
"HangGliding" and it reminded me to join the group ... I'm glad I
did. I finally got my solo out of the
way two weeks ago. Sonny towed me up
with his truck rig and I used his Falcon.
It was just too much fun. The
weather has not cooperated lately but I plan to do
it again soon. Maybe next
time I'll try my Ultra Sport. I'm also
itching to try Buffalo Mountain here in Oklahoma.
JD
======================================================
From: Peter Birren
<peterb@ameritech.net>
Subject: Re: Who was at Elkhart Kansas last Labor Day
jdboston@earthlink.net wrote:
> reminded me to join
the group ... I'm glad I did.
We're glad to have you. There's lots here for pilots of all
stripes.
> I finally got my solo out of the way two weeks ago.
> Maybe next time I'll try my Ultra Sport.
If it's a fact that you only soloed 2 weeks ago (and I were you),
I'd be more inclined to spend at least a whole season flying the Falcon before jumping
to the US.
If you're a brand new pilot v/s one who's been flying for years
and just started towing, here are some things I found over the past 24 years
(been towing since 1984). The first 2 years is spent finding out YOUR
limitations on a particular glider. Year 3 (on the same glider) opens up the
glider's limitations. Beyond that comes more comfort in the air and developing
a style.
A new pilot towing means adding another variable, and this whole
sport – no matter how long you're in it - is about controlling the variables.
There are a lot of old sayings about how unforgiving a mistress the sky can be.
In order to survive you have got to give it a lot of respect because seemingly
small mistakes can kill you. 2 pilots died last weekend from single mistakes.
The Ultra Sport is a great glider, capable of providing you with
years of great fun. It handles quickly, has a decent glide and lands quite predictably.
In the right hands, long cross country and many hours-long flights are
possible. Handled poorly... well, I've already mentioned the down side. Keep it simple. Keep it fun. Especially in
the first 100+ hours of airtime.
If you've got questions about what more is to come or about
towing, I'll gladly reply with my opinions. If you think you've got it all
figured out and have nothing else to learn, then I'll pray for you.
PeterB
PS: Brad's last point is worth repeating... his entire post was
great!
> 7. Last but not least, ask every hang glider pilot that you
meet what
> they know about 'intermediate syndrome', and heed their
warnings.
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