Rick's Tandem Pilot Journey

Click image for more picturesRick Heatley: Tandem P.I.T. (Pilot In Training)

With a forecasted stable lapse rate (read: smooth conditions) Paul and I decided that today would be a perfect day for Rick to have his first high flight as a tandem pilot.

As those of you who've been following the VIParagliding News know, Rick has been consistently working on his tandem skills at the Training Hill and has been making significant progress.

Once the word got out that he might be flying from the mountain, it was encouraging to hear that we had no shortage of volunteer passenger pilots for what would be his maiden flight. In the end, Paul was the one who strapped himself to the quick-witted, 6'5" man from Campbell River who makes his living crafting functional and beautiful art from wood.

After Cal and then Simon both launched in nice south wind from Middle, Rick and Paul were ready to go. I stood near the edge, camera in one hand and radio in the other.

A nice cycle came through and Rick inflated the tandem nicely and, together he and Paul ran strongly off the mountain. I watched, forgetting to take any photos, ready to give advice but none was necessary.

And that was it. They got settled in their harnesses, Paul took some photos, they made some turns, flew for a bit, set up a nice approach and landed.

Charlie went last as the sun came out, found a light thermal, worked it up over launch and then it fizzled out and he eventually joined everyone in the LZ. I drove retrieve and then we ended the day with Paul S. getting some runs in at the Training Hill.

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It goes down as Ricky's day though. And it was great to be a part of it.