Day Off

I live in a really special place. When I can't work, fly, ski or go boating my motorcycle takes me to some pretty amazing places!

Kiting Is Fun

Spring is coming!

Spring is around the corner! Hip, Hip, O Boy, Holly Cow, I just can't help but ask myself if I am prepared. The spring brings us, yes thermals and cross country flights. Yet it brings insane lapse rates that correlate into huge gust differential's due to super cold air aloft and superheated puddles of energy on the ground. Here are some good guide lines I live by and feel they've kept me safe.

1. If your rusty like most of us, fly early in the day and fly later in the day.

2. If there is wind in the forcast, say 10-20 mph on the surface its probable a good day to stay out of the sky.

3. March and early April can bring great conditions to northern Arizona for some intermediate and advanced pilots, yet the middle of the day should be avoided for the average novice.

4. One thing that has fooled even seasoned vets. is the LCR inversion (this can happen in any valley). On a hot day with stong winds aloft you may find that there are light winds at The Craters when you arrive. Don't be suprised that seconds after you launch all hell brakes loose and you want nothing more than to land but find yourself in strong SCARY lift. Good luck! (see #9)

5. DO NOT KITE MID-DAY you will get hurt. I can site tons of examples of people getting hurled into the air and dumped on their butt or into the parked vehicle or into someone else.

6. If your going to launch don't dilly dally. Lay out your stuff and get off the hill. Standing on the top of the hill midday with your glider laid out on top of the biggest thermal trigger for miles around is like taking a nap on the railroad tracks.

7. Repack your reserve.

8. Check for wear on that harness you've had for years, equipment failures kill! An $800 investment could save your life and keep you out of the ER. If your unsure have your instuctor check it out or send it to Bill Anderson www.risingair.biz Bill is the man when it comes to repaires and inspections.

9. Go to a manuevers Clinic.

10. If you don't think it feels good don't fly! A lot of instructors call this, "Checking the weather inside." If you cannot focus on flying and have baggage from other things in life you shouldn't be in the air either.

Most of the injuries I've witnessed have happened in the spring. I could go on and on but you get the picture, just be prepared, listen to the locals and have a good attitude.

T

Welcome back Greg!

2 years ago during a spring mid-day flight my good friend Greg Smith encountered a bit of turbulence at low altititude. The resulting crash broke his back. After a long break to heal and start his family Greg came back to the hill on Sunday for some ground handling and a couple sledders. His passion for the sport shined through with tears in his eyes in the LZ and many congrats from his fellow pilots. Welcome back Greg we've missed you!