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To anyone going to the manuevers clinic:
I just went up yesterday in the evening to watch for a bit, and do some
work with Ken. Looks like a great, safe operation they are running. All
the participants had smiles on their faces. I arrived in time to see Bob,
a club member of ours from New Mexico, releasing at around 5000 ft for
a sunset run of asymetric collapses. They are video taping the runs, and
going over them at night. For those tricks you don't feel comfortable
doing, it sure is fun to watch someone else do them (FULL STALL!!! yuck).
I can only imagine what the view up there must be like, as all the rolling
hills are blanketed in green! Have fun, you will be in for a treat! -Patrick
Hello all,
I spent tu, wed, thur at Lake San Antonio for Ken and Bo's maneuvers clinic.
Tho I don't have a basis of comparison, I must say that this clinic was
excellent! It was slightly unorganized at first, Ken's 1st clinic at this
lake, but everyone went away satisfied and smiling (even the clinic-experienced
plan to return). Ken and Bo were excellent and very patient. I let them
know ahead that I'm a slow learner, and VERY apprehensive of the whole
thing. They said that's fine, they teach and tow new to advanced students.
Honestly, my first tow scared me so much I couldn't handle any turns (they
recognized and adjusted to this) so they towed me way down the lake, and
by the time I pulled loose, I was so disoriented, and of coarse lost radio
contact, well, I got lost. I just found a parking lot and landed safely.
Ken was there before I landed, and says "Well this is a first, I've
never had a student get lost before, but I like firsts!" I wasn't
sure I could try again, but the whole group were very kind, supportive,
and patient, an excellent bunch of people! I got in 3 more tows and worked
on all the stuff I'd hoped to. The clinic is $600 for the 3 days (150
more than Enleau) but the target altitude is 5K each (as apposed to 2K),
at least 4 tows total, but most got 6 to 10 tows total. Two of mine were
nearly 6K! And what a beautiful setting, green fields, wild flowers, hawks,
and a cayote and her pup digging for squirrels. Thanks to Free for driving
the boat and doing some video taping! Thanks to Bob for repacking my reserve
and thanks to Tom M. for lending his radio and life jacket!!! They rent
a 'cabin' all can stay in for $30 a night, BYOFood, but many shared. Some
students arranged to come for only a day as they had no other option,
and there were openings. They will still be towing this weekend if anyone
wishes to check it out. The whole experience was excellent, relaxed fun
and seriously safe. I highly recomend it to all levels! :)
so much yet to learn!
bea
Sounds interesting-
At least 4 tows total? So that's about one tow per day?
What maneuvers did you perform? Did you perform them okay?
Learn anything new? What else didn't you cover in the class that you wanted
to try?
Not enough time? Three days wasn't enough?
And most of all, did you get wet?
Dave and anyone else interested,
The goal was at LEAST one tow a day but average was three, even last weekend
with a full group. Middle week group, more time was taken for ground school,
cause people were showing at up odd times. They prefer us to spend 2hrs
with them in SB a week before, so all can get straight to the towing.
The ground school consisted of an explaination of how to do the tow -
forward launch, stronger corrections in-flight, following the boat's wake,
release when the boat stops and makes a hard 90; and of the individual
maneuvers, and how they would be communicating with us and what to do
with problems like radio contact lost. All questions and what-ifs were
fully discussed. One point they tried to get across is that it takes years
to get good at a 'basic' maneuver like wingovers or spirals. They discussed
these, and started off with 360s, stabilo pull, grip types, and posture,
also did asymmetric collapses, full frontals, B-line stalls, riser twist,
full stall, and spins. I did all but the last two which are considered
more advanced moves, not recomended on your first clinic and till you
become more proficient with the other moves. I did all repetedly and fine
accept when Bo asked me to do an asymmetric after building up a surge
motion. The air was kinda bummpy at the time, 2p, so I chickened out.
Oh well next time. Bo and Ken did a tow and demonstrated some moves, Bo
did a helicopter and his second loop. I did everything I wanted to but
not enough of it. I will certainly go back next year. Only one person
got wet, and this was, as he realized later, that his glider was too touchy,
old, and used to come up cleanly, and he was too close to the water and
got pulled in 10ft. He dried off, and 3 pilots were kind enough offer
use of their gliders!
It's all good :)
bea
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