Big D at Mt. P

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Dozens of pilots, dozens of great flights!

Quintessential autumn flying conditions came together this Saturday as did a large VIParagliding crew to take full advantage. Let's see...

- Paul, who lead the day off and tested the waters with the first flight, followed later on his next flight, easily winning the 'scratch master' award

- P.Mac, who hit yet another Paratrick, getting high over launch, and, of note, launching toute-seule!

- Charlie, who almost managed to stay up on his first flight, did so and more on his second (the XC to the Raptor Centre should be renamed the Rockstar Route, he's been there so many times now)

- Audrey, who got her 2nd and 3rd solo flights in, both from Middle launch in stiff winds. Excellent launches were followed by rare, student height gains and even 360s! Way to go Audrey!

- Rick, who took super-keen Liza for her first tandem paragliding flight and then, on the next round, pulled out his Mustang2 for some solo action (glove-less at cloudbase can cool even the hottest of pilot)

-Pierre, who was one of the first to hit cloudbase and spent most of his time there (that second flight should keep you going at work for a while Pierre!)

- Kuno, who showed up on the second round and shook off some flying cobwebs with a nice flight before providing ground support for Cal (see next)

- Cal, who, after two pretty decent flights, had his reserve deploy unintentionally as he took to the air on Main on launch #3. Fortunately, he landed at the base of the tree-line just below launch and, both he and his glider were unharmed. In 10 years of flying on the island, I've never seen a reserve deployed. Let's hope this is the last for another 10.

- Lee, who made the best of his (relatively) long flying hiatus with both a warm-up flight and then, in typical Jet Lee fashion, zooming up to base and then all over the mountain and valley

- James, who has started flying with our crew as of late, flew during strengthening conditions on his second flight and now understands the importance of giving clouds their due

Click image for more pics!- Shabe, who decided he needed to take a break from work went two for two at Prevost this fall and flew to his heart's content. Far from the mountain, linking some 360s, and taking it all in.

- David, who showed up on the second run and put in two nice flights, showing some early thermalling skill as he nears completion of his Novice Course

- And myself (Jayson), I took Liza's friend Ardelle for a nice tandem flight, complete with soaring the Cairn and watching the 'murder' of crows do the same. The day ended with a beautifully smooth, windless flight with Corfield Cafe's very own, Zoe, who finally got to come out and fly in celebration of her birthday!

Did I miss anyone?