Hang Gliding
"Once you have flown, you will walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been, and there you long to return." Soaring glider flight was an unrealized dream of Leonardo da Vinci's -- now the technology is so well understood that anyone can learn how to fly, safely, and take to the air in the first day of training. It is an incredible experience. When you are hooked into a hang glider, the air becomes like invisible water -- you can swim in it. I am now a certified USHGA Hang III Pilot. I received my training at the Mission Soaring Center in Milpitas.
On September 28, 2002, after 167 safe flights and 13 hours of airtime, I sold my hang glider. Why? Because it was necessary to eliminate any concerns about my personal safety for my investors. There will be lots of time in a few years to get back into it... :-) A record of my training appears below. Please click on a picture for a larger version. Thirtieth day of training (7/06/00):
Second day, fourth flight at Dunlap 2500-foot site. This was my first
soaring flight, lasting 1 hour 3 minutes, with peak altitude of 3740 feet
above ground level (AGL). On November 4/2000, I completed the requirements for
the Hang III rating (written test, 10 hours of airtime, some tasks).
So, it's taken me fourteen months to become an
intermediate pilot. As a Hang III, I am qualified to fly at local
sites including Fort Funston in South San Francisco -- (first soaring
flight there on Oct 20, 2001).
Twenty-fifth day of training (6/21/00):Second session at Ed Levin 1750-foot site (6-minute sled ride): Mark
Sixteenth day of training (5/25/00):Now a Hang II. Second session at Ed Levin 600-foot hill (90-second sled ride):
Twelfth day of training (4/24/00):First session at Ed Levin 300-foot hill:
Seventh day of training (3/14/00):First session at Ed Levin 150-foot hill:
Fifth day of training (3/4/00):First practice session as a Hang 1, with new glider:
Third day of training (12/18/99): First day of training (9/5/99): |
