Paragliding (video)

Paragliding is one of the most basic forms of human flight. There is no engine, no rigid frame, nothing but a fabric wing. The wing is much like a parachute except that it allows the pilot much more control. Once “inflated” by air entering from forward motion, the wing takes shape and provides a decent glide ratio. By using thermals and other currents, the pilot is able to inscrease his altitude in the same manner as soaring birds. Take a look at the video.

That’s some impressive flying from various spots around the world. There was a time when I wanted to try this sport. However, cross-country flying is more my style as regular readers of this blog have seen. Still, I have tremendous respect from people who are able to excell as this sport. You have to channel your inner eagle to ride those currents.

Published in: on July 13, 2011 at 1:26 pm  Leave a Comment  
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Banner Towing!

There’s never a shortage of excitement at the local airport. Recently, there was a golf tournament at a nearby course and a couple of banner towing planes arrived. One in particular caught my eye, a modified Piper Cub. Take a look at this old bird.

Doesn’t look like much, but this is a very capable aircraft. As you can see from the next photo, it is outfitted with only the most basic instruments, the essentials for safe flight.

The pilot sits in there with no door on the starboard side in order to allow him to deploy the tow hook to catch the banner.

Imagine sitting in there for three or four hours a day, towing a banner in circles around a golf course or up and down the local beach. It takes a fair amount of practice be to competent at this job. The next photo shows the plane coming in at the end of the day, getting ready to drop the banner. Click on the photo to see it full scale.

He’s right on course for a safe drop. The banner landed perfectly in the grass between the runway and the taxiway. Then the pilot came around and landed the plane itself. I talked to this fellow for a while after he secured his plane. He’s traveled 2/3’s of the United States doing this kind of work. He’s been over everything from NASCAR races to horse tracks and more. Plus, flying that Piper Cub harkens back to the days when flying was basic and fun.

Published in: on July 3, 2011 at 12:17 pm  Leave a Comment  
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Martha’s Vineyard Flight

Recently, I had the pleasure of a nice cross country flight from my home base to the island of Martha’s Vineyard. The day was just about perfect: clear skies, light winds, great visibility. Here’s a photo just as I make a turn in over the island from the west.

Beautiful green scenery below. At this point, I was speaking with the tower. Great controllers on duty there, handling the traffic, which on a day like this one can be hectic. We flew in to the field and then onto a right downwind leg for Runway 24. After turning base, then starting on final, the next photo was taken.

There’s plenty of runway down there for the Cirrus to land. We touched down nicely then rolled over to the transient parking. After a snack at the airport restaurant, we took a short ride around one part of the island. I’ll have a few photos of that in the next post here at The Bent Page. Mean time, back to flying. After the tour, fueling up, preflight, and final checks, we headed for departure from Runway 24. Here’s a look just as the takeoff roll begins.

Looks like we’re going into warp drive there. Not quite. But the Cirrus does have some get up and go. We were off the ground in no time, climbing out to the proper altitude for the flight home. Here’s a view just as we’re leaving the edge of the island.

Heading toward Newport, RI, it was blue water below, blue skies above. Can’t beat that. This was a great flight all in all. The airplane performed well, the weather cooperated, and Martha’s Vineyard was an interesting place to see from both the ground and the air. I look forward to making this trip again, and possibly out to Nantucket. More about that later. Special thanks to my pal, Ben, for the company and photos while flying and to his father for the personal tour on the island.

Published in: on June 21, 2011 at 2:37 pm  Comments (1)  
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Final at Smoketown

Last week an interesting flight came up. The Cessna 172 airplane that I normally fly had just completed its 100 hour inspection and needed to be transferred from the field where the mechanics are located to its home base. It was my lucky day to make the run. Teaming up with Rick (a highly competent flight instructor and all around decent follow), we headed west to Smoketown Airport, which is located near those famous outlets in Lancaster County, PA, USA. Rick flew the outbound leg, giving me the opportunity to snap a few photos. Here we are on final approach at Smoketown.

The runway is a little narrow and not very long, but plenty of room for a 172 to land and take off. Sure enough the other plane was ready and waiting. I preflighted, warmed up, and headed east through the haze. It was a short hop but those flights are good for polishing basic skills. Never enough practice is a good motto. In the last couple of days the haze has lightened, only to be replaced by thundershowers. Still, there’s plenty of good weather to fly. Make the most of it.

Published in: on June 12, 2011 at 1:12 pm  Leave a Comment  
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