Hi,
I'm Dan, trying desperately to get my CP started properly with Steve Hudson, without much luck though due to crappy winds at the moment.
Completed the EP without any dramas and cant wait to start actually flying and getting the CP complete.
Ive got a new MAC PARA Illusion which i've had a few plays with, it amazed me how much livelier it was than the training gliders. Ive also got a Gin Verso 2 reverse harness on order through Steve (he gets great discounts!).
Does anyone on here fly with this combo or have any experience with what the illusion performs like in the real world?
Ive flown most of my life from sail plane solo at 15 in the ATC, to air testing helicopters getting a-lot of hands on whilst serving as an Aircraft Tech in the Army, and 27 freefalls.
I have to admit though, even just the tiny short hops learning the basics so far with a PG has been just as exhilarating and i cant wait to actually really learn to fly after completing the CP.
Anyway, any newbies struggling to get there CP started as well let me know and we can badger Steve together!
Happy flying.
Hi Dan,
Well part of passing your CP will be to decide on your own when and where to fly. If Steve is cautious about the weather that's good. We have had some very strong conditions recently which have tested experienced pilots. Good luck, Steve is a great instructor.
Chris
Thanks Chris, yes, he's been great, he makes it feel like an enjoyable day out rather than being taught something.
It was only when i started read my 'Touching cloud base' book, that i realised our little chats between flights have actually been lessons.
We went to do our first high flight the other day, but we could see the guys who were up weren't having an easy time with the wind.
I can see how people get in trouble thinking they'll just 'have a go' without the right experience.
Hopefully the winds will calm, although looking at the front coming through it may be next weekend before they do😢.
Do people tend to post when and where they're flying anywhere? Im hoping to get to one of the launch sites soon to have a chat with some pilots, say hello, and see how its really done.
Hi Dan,
Sometimes people post on Facebook or Telegram but I live 90mins away so have to be a bit more self reliant. A good way to get use to interpreting the weather is to look here: https://www.flyer.co.uk/weather/ for this week you will see that the jet stream is going to shift south and we will get a mix of wet weather and stronger winds probably until next weekend. Also you may find some of my other weather links useful, look here: https://chrisdervin0.wixsite.com/cp-plus/weather.
If you want to see who and where people are actually flying many use livetrack24, airwhere or similar systems. You can see who is in the air with these systems here: http://xcrt.aero/?lut=off&area=1. During the week you may see some folks out on the SE UK sites.
When you are next out with Steve keep relaying what you are thinking about when to take off and why, you will start to pick up when might be a good time and why.
Good luck hope to see you out in the next few weeks,
Chris