02/02/10 Update
The weather for beginning hang gliding lessons this weekend is
excellent. If you come down for a two hour ground school on thursday
or friday evening, we will be able to go directly to the training area
early Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Please RSVP and prepare yourselves.
Please RSVP immediately.
01/28/10 Update
Ron of the Oregon Hang Gliding Association is organizing
this year's "Antique and Single Surface Hang Gliding Festival and
Contest" Or, should we call it the "Low Performance Dune Goon
Extravaganza" He is tentatively planning it for June 19th because
tides are favorable.
This year we plan on being more inclusive by including all modern
single surface gliders and hold a local spot landing, ten dollar on a
pole grab, time aloft, distance and style contests.
12/14/09 Update
Thursday and Friday are two days that are looking good for those
beginners wishing to get jump start on their lessons - the wind has an
east component to it! Please RSVP!
If you have investigated hang gliding at all, you know that there is
an enormous number of things we can do and learn even when the weather
is not exactly perfect for a flight lessons. Here is a list:
-Ground school and simulator work
-Flat ground runs (we don't need any specific wind direction to learn
control of the glider)
-Study of the textbook, risk management articles and online interactive tests
-Harness fitting
-Parachute Packing and Clinic on use
-Vehicle Rack construction
-Radio Helmet use and Radio authorization test
-Weather clinic
-Variometer clinic
Although covering things in sequence in a logical linear way is
convenient and assuring, its more important to actually cover all the
steps involved in learning how to fly. That is why I have a check list
on the progress report sheets of each student.What can you get
checked off this winter?
11/16/09 Update
Two students, Gary and Richard, recently achieved something they have
been working for 6 months. They successfully had their first high
altitude flights from a nearby mountain. We had two flights from
Petersen's. They were ecstatic at the end of the day. Gary and Richard
showed exceptional faith, persistence, flexibility, spontaneity,
maturity, self-forgiveness, humility, empathy, cooperation and
financial support (for the instructional service) to achieve their
goal. You can see why most don't achieve it or even begin.
However, I can tell you this. They will now I have lifetime of amazing
experiences that cannot be described and will forever look at the
world differently.
They are not finished with the lessons. They now know they need to
learn how to make soaring attempt passes on the mountain safely. That
is, the ability to try to maintain altitude, fail and still land
safely in the landing zone. This takes critical thinking and judgment
regarding the operating limits of the glider and reading the wind
conditions right.
11/15/09 Update
This week we will be having lots of persistent rain. But, the weekend
could be very nice for lessons. See the scattered clouds out west? You have the
whole week to plan. But, a 3 hour preparatory ground school will be
available all week too. Please RSVP.
10/29/09 Update
Tomorrow will be a great opportunity for lessons near Corvallis.
Please RSVP now.
10/25/09 Update
Whenever the probability of showers is 50% or less, its generally a
fine day for hang gliding lessons. This is case Wednesday onward
through the week, with fine
WSW to SE winds. Please RSVP for midweek lessons.
10/22/09 Update
Timing is everything this time of year. The wind will be south EARLY
morning Friday. Perfect for turning practice. The lesson will end at
11:00 am when the front comes in. We will meet at the Pine Cone at
7:00 am.
Saturday will be dry. The wind will be light northeast. Perfect for
introductory flights and for no-wind-little wind flaring practice.
Lets get out there and do it. Wear knee high boots. We will meet at
the Pine Cone at 9:00 am
Please RSVP for these lessons. If you haven't had a ground school, I
am available this evening at 6:00