WOW!

This morning we got a gift! A huge gift! Roy was wanting a lesson on thermalling. Brandt, Paul, and Chris wanted a sweet flight. Everyone got more than they dreamed.
We got to the hill and it seemed really soarable. I told Roy to get going before it got to out of hand for him. He went up and out and then up some more and more and more. I coached him a little and he was thermalling like an old hand in a few minutes. Chris and Paul were hot on his heals. Brandt and I in our hurried attempt to get up the hill over looked his helmet at the bottom of the hill. For those of you that don't know, Brant is the reason I am where I am today. When He said he had no helmet I was more than glad to lend him my helmet and watch the show. As an instructor and friend to all four pilots there is no better reward than watching great flying and hearing thier shouts of joy as they soared for an hour! It alll happened before 9 a.m. I think there may be somthing to this whole climate change thing.

Can I Get a Hell Ya!

There really isn't anything much better than doing amazing things with your pal's. From a Merriam Session to the Aubrey Cliffs Scott, Layback, Paul, Brandt, Ben and I experienced some damn dood times in the past couple weeks. We have also been working with Wil Victora. Wil got this first flight from Merriam and is bound for great things. Check out some of his amazing Photo's and writing at:

http://bordertownlensworks.blogspot.com/

Here is some of my work with an old camera that I fly around with.

Almost Spring!

Looks like its happening. I can see my back yard again and you can go outside without a down jacket on. I have managed a couple short XC's already. Both to the shop from each Crater. Nothing to rave about but both were thermal flights that took me over launch and required at least a second climb to get the job done. Friday afternoon I hoped to get in a flight but got skunked. After what seemed to be a great forecast the day seemed like it would line up nicely for a great afternoon. Yet as I headed to the hill I watched the sky start to change. Blue sky began to turn a light grey and a mackerel pattern formed in about a span of 10-20 minutes. To the north lens shaped clouds slowly formed up near the Utah border and the grass, trees and bushes along the roadside started shaking in a frenzy. Then at last lens shaped clouds formed over our own peaks.

After being shot down Friday afternoon by mother nature I looked forward to Saturday. My friend Jon Gauld was to try out his new glider and harness. We got to the shop, put in his reserve parachute, adjusted the harness to fit and headed to Merriam. I thought I could whip out a quick test flight with a top landing and Jon would be in the air and loving it in no time. Yet the conditions were not quite soarable and I scratched around in vain but ended up landing down. I think it all worked out for the best because by the time we got back to the top it was coming in nicely. Jon was able to kite a bit and then was able to get a nice 20+ minute soaring flight before things heated up and shut down the morning session. I finished off the day with a sweet thermal flight to the shop followed by a cold beer. Here is Jon on his maiden flight.

Bring on Spring!!!

More Towing

Chandler Papas came up for some tows the other day. Chris and Scott made it out also. It was a good quick session but everyone had fun and the boys had a good time watching Chandler throw down some acro.

Scott on tow.

Earn Your Turn

Its easy to forget your roots some times.

Today I went for a quick walk up Sheba for a late morning flight.

Don't forget that this is how the sport was born. Just ignore the fact that I walked up a road. Still every view is worth mention like to the east towards Leupp.

The reward of more views and the flight down are always worth a little sweat.

Merriam Crater from the top of Sheba. The flight to the truck took 10 minutes. I was rewarded with a light thermal 400 ft over the truck that stole the photo I was hoping to finish with as I was a bit busy having fun.

Still Going

The sunset from the north side of Merriam after a fun filled afternoon.

Here we are deep in the heart of winter and having a lot of action. From towing on the Rez to great flights from the hill, the action just never ends around here.

Scott setting up to land after a sweet morning tow.

Teachin, Towin & Snowin

I've had a great fall with students and friends. Winter is knocking hard on the door and looks like we'll be skiing soon. A couple major storms will effect northern AZ Saturday the 13th through Friday the following week. I guess we are going under. I'm looking forward to some cold long ridgesoaring flights and some great skiing. We have also been towing a bit again and are having lots of fun. Happy Holidays