Soaring from four (five) sites in one day!
Lower Bruce, Mt Prevost, Mt Maxwell, the Malahat, and the Training Hill all were flown this
past Saturday by various pilots (paraglider and hang glider) on a cloudless, blue thermal day.
(Click image for Saltspring Photo Set #1 -> )
A large crew headed to Saltspring where Charlie went first from Lower Bruce on the new demo Mistral 5 and spent little time below launch height before he hooked a thermal and then spent the next hour or so getting a feel for the sporty new glider from Swing.
I launched next with DayTaster participant Christopher and, after a good running launch, we worked the gravel pit thermal below Charlie before touching down.
Natalie was next and she set up her own landing approach (well done Natalie!). Wind was easily reversible on launch by the time Grant and Hans were ready to go and they both had their first solo high flights! Congratulations to you both!
After their launch assist duties were done, apprentice instructors, Rick and Paul then flew but conditions were changing with a strengthening east flow in the valley so they weren't able to repeat Charlie's flight.
(Click image for Saltspring Photo Set #2 -> )
On the next run, the wind was switchy on launch with cycles over the back and then strong and straight. I elected to launch first with DayTaster participant, Paul and although the cycle was strong and long lasting, we hit a big patch of sink right off launch and I had to work harder than usual to make it to the LZ. Shortly after we landed the windsock was showing some gusty south wind so we pulled the plug on further flights from Lower Bruce.
At this point the group split up with Rick, Paul, and Shabe heading up Maxwell (they all flew but were unable to really work the thermals due to the valley wind) and the rest of us headed through Crofton to the Training Hill.
(Click image for more pics)
Thermals were still rolling in from the south east and Natalie, Grant, and Hans each had multiple reverse and forward launched flights while I worked with Christopher and Paul - both of whom followed instructions quite well and each flew solo by the day's end. Way to go guys! Not to be overlooked, up and coming pilot Fynn put in some good practice time as well :)
A text message from Lee told of a quad trip lead by Pierre up snowy Mt Prevost with 4 pilots getting the first flights there of the season (with Lee being first to launch and last to land!).
(Click image for Lee's Mt Prevost Photo Set ->)
A group of paraglider and hang glider pilots made the drive and hike up the Malahat and all were rewarded with soaring flights (Mark J. being tops with 45mins). Nice to see some hang gliders back in the air here!
After hitting Prevost, Lee et al headed up to try the Malahat and they all had another flight.
( <- Click image for Lee's Malahat Photo Set)
And check out his Pilot Report.
I then heard that the Nanaimo gang of Brett, Cornell, and Cal all put in some time at the Training Hill earlier in the day as well.
Super Saturday!
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