Flying This Weekend

Whitney T · Post by **Whitney T** » Sun Sep 27, 2009 10:10 am

Yesterday was the best overall flying I have ever seen. Even though we aren't airborne Debbie and I get soooo excited launching you guys and seeing you fly and driving down. It was the most fun at Miller I ever had! Also was my first retrieve XC - great flight John. Raf was something to watch so high up there. Fred always manages to get up high. The common problem of the day was "how am I going to get down?" Nice problem to have. Really cool to see the PGs launch and get great flights. Stellar job pilots.

Eric Tucker · Post by **Eric Tucker** » Sun Sep 27, 2009 12:06 pm

It's been a year since my last flight and boy did I pick a great day to get back into it. But quite exhausted by the end of the flight.
That was Raquel's first experience and she had a blast!
Good seeing some of you again and I hope to fly more often now that my shoulder has largely healed from the operation 7 months ago. The flying didn't seem to hurt it a bit.

Eric

John Wolfe · Post by **John Wolfe** » Sun Sep 27, 2009 3:00 pm

I'd like to add my thanks to our three drivers. It's always really nice to avoid the retrieve, but launching as late and flying as long as we did yesterday made the magical appearance of our vehicles in the landing zone especially welcome.
Also, thanks to Terry for his help on launch.

chicken hawk · Post by **chicken hawk** » Sun Sep 27, 2009 5:20 pm

I was second to launch, scratching back and forth from the reefs to the SE launch, trying to get lift. After about 15 minutes, it was becoming work and had my mind set on another 20 minute sleigh ride to the LZ. Halfway to the LZ, somebody radioed me, don't know who, but made a comment "Rafael, you can turn in that lift". Twenty minutes later, I found myself 2000 feet above launch over the LZ. My best flight yet, one hour and 33 minutes with a MSL of 13,200 feet! Big thanks to the wire crew and coaching from the air...John & Fred.

Rafael

Note from Debbie: I enjoy being able to help as ground crew, everyone is amiable to deal with. You all had fantastic flights yesterday, glad to be a part of it.

morey · Post by **morey** » Sun Sep 27, 2009 6:00 pm

chicken hawk wrote:... Halfway to the LZ, somebody radioed me, don't know who, but made a comment "Rafael, you can turn in that lift".

I'll take credit for that remark. You turned well, Grasshopper.

Fred · Post by **Fred** » Sun Sep 27, 2009 8:12 pm

Congratulations Rafael for your first big soaring flight at Miller and congratulations Eric for returning to the air after a year. Many thanks again to Whitney, Debbie, and Raquel for your cheerful support on launch and for driving the vehicles down. Sounds like a day full of pilot and eagle of the month nominations.