On Thu, Nov 13, 2008 [Linking and bolding is an editorial choice.]
I want to thank you for Low & Slow . I didn't actually subscribe; I swiped it from one of my buddies J Recently got the USHGA DVD collection of back Issues and have devoured Low & Slow all over again . [ED: The DVD has just the first 24 of 36 of the Low & Slow; then the serial was renamed to Hang Glider, then Hang Glider Weekly for another 170+ issues, yet to be republished.]
In 1966 I joined the Long Island Soaring Association at age 13.
My instructors were all ex-German fighter pilots from WWII . An interesting group to be associated with, I might add.
My training as a glider pilot was almost Medieval at times . Regular beatings about the head and shoulders with the instructors shoe were the norm.
But they meant well as they saw it. Anyway I will have to recount how they reacted to my embracing Hang Gliding years later. They were horrified.
Well, keep the rubber side down .
Regards,
Harry Suds skywild1@aim.com
- The attached pic is of me launching this summer [photo] at Ellenville NY. I fly suprone in my Falcon 225 [manual for Falcons].
- “Into the wonder” [photo] is my oldest son Harry (now 23) launching into a "Summer Evening Wonder Wind" at Ellenville NY, 5 or 6 years ago. [wonder wind]
- “Alex chasing Dad” [photo] is my youngest son Alex (now 20) chasing after me two summers ago at 5000 ft over Ellenville .
Both my kids learned to hang glide; each started at their age 13 years old. They both still fly.
Flying suprone makes it easy to spin around in my harness to do air to air pictures very easily.
“Yes I am” [photo] a rocket scientist: Photo Is me in 1961 getting ready to launch my first model rocket. Funny thing is--although I am really not a rocket scientist--I still have been responsible for the production of components (lenses) that currently are sitting on the surface of Mars (Phoenix Polar Lander).
I attended Embry Riddle Aeronautical University and have just about every Aircraft Certificate including Flight Instructor certificates’ . But the only form of flight I truly Love is hang gliding.
Harry Suds skywild1@aim.com
- More of the Harry Suds hang gliding matters:
- Harry Suds 1981 Fledge
- Some more pix mixed group.
- Tell us here:
In-Phase Wave Lift at Ellenville NY . Special conditions at this site requires a 30-35 deg north crosswind at a site that takes a straight northwest. I have soared these conditions in everything from sailplanes, rigid-wing HG (Fledge's & Millenium) and flexwings (20-20 Standard HG - Falcon 225). Altitude Gains up to 11000ft In sailplanes and 3000-7000ft in HG. The Catskill Mts are upwind of Ellenville when there is a crosswind from the north at this site . The ride is from mild to wild depending on velocity and lapse rate. Some of the best flights have occurred in fairly benign conditions that were easily flown in with the flex wing HG's. Low testosterone flying conditions can be just as rewarding as Rock-and-Roll, if you are able to recognize the conditions--as you encounter them in flight--and sky out while all your buddies shrink to little dots way below you . Yeee Haaa, Suds