Surprise Soaring at Prevost

Hours of Mountain Air
and Heather's First Flight!

Another hot day on the island and we expected stable flying conditions in the high pressure system that has been here since Thursday.

(Click image for Prevost Photoset #1 -> )

We had a good and early start with Cornell going first, followed by Norm who did his first reverse launch from Middle on his first flight since last fall. Welcome back Norm! With some radio input he thermalled back up to launch height over the lower ridge, his previous experience shining through.

Let's see... Torge, Pierre, Charlie, Rick, Paul, Cal, Natalie, and myself (on tandem with passenger Mike from Mill Bay) all had varying lengths of flights - many pilots getting up to the limit under a cloudless sky. Nice to see Rick and Charlie tuning in to their new wings on their first Prevost flights. Super Dave flew as well and he probably put in 3hrs or more!

On the second run, conditions were much stronger with the wind switching east so a few of the less experienced pilots didn't get to fly. Simon joined in for his first flight of the season and, after some excitement post-launch, handled the lifty LZ conditions well. Good to see you back at the mountain Simon!

(Click image for Prevost Photoset #2 -> )

Ian/Mel arrived in the LZ with perfect timing as we needed a driver for retrieve. Thanks Melian!

Roddy from New Zealand joined me on tandem around noon and we were able to fly our fill before spiraling down into the thermic LZ. He was pumped afterwards and definitely has the paragliding 'bug'.

After some lunch, we headed to the Training Hill where Rick, Charlie, Cal, Norm, Natalie, Heather, and new UK import Steve put in some time kiting/flying.

(Click image for Heather's first flight -> )

Of special note, to end the day Heather had her very first solo flight - complete with a taste of a thermal and a couple of turns. You did it Heather!

(Not only did Heather fly, but she also took some amazing photos of the day!)