I still can't believe this is "winter". My passenger came out after work and we nabbed this beautiful tandem flight, launching around 5pm and to enjoy the colours of the valley as the sun started descending for the day.
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We got up to some shenanigans after talking GPS & XC yesterday! What better way to practice PLF landings than by jumping off a ledge onto soft gym mats? Here's an action shot of Nicole "mid-flight" (and yes, everyone had safe landings!) PLF: Parachute Landing Fall - although we usually have soft landings, occasionally we may find ourselves coming in to land too quickly to "run it out". In this case your best choice is to roll onto your side as soon as you touchdown to dissipate that energy and save your knees for another day!  Come out today between 3-7pm to hang out, fiddle with your GPS before heading to launch this season and to talk XC! Guest speakers Alex & Nicole who have pretty much flown every XC route in the Fraser Valley will be on hand to give advice on planning routes and new & used gear will be on hand. Hope to see you - more info here.  
Great weather for more kiting and ground school as the spring winds were too unpredictable for flying today. I still think this is the most fun way to get in your cardio for the day! What do you do on a sunny Sunday when the winds are perfect for kiting? The answer is easy...you teach! We had a fun intro session yesterday and are making the most of this dry weather. Join us next time you're in Chilliwack!  Looking for some love from the clouds today...the sun is shining and we're ready to fly! 
The sun is shining and the long range forecast looks amazing! This early spring is blowing my mind...this is the earliest in the season I've ever booked a tandem. Hope to see you out there this weekend!  I was looking for some friends to fly with on Sunday, but the only pilots coming out were planning a hike & fly. Still nursing my tweaked knee (that I got from hiking! See? Flying is so much safer!) I couldn't join in so decided to go kite my student wings instead. Taking the long way to the training hill so I could pass Mt Woodside, I soon heard from one pilot already on launch looking for a ride up to retrieve after he flew, then another on his way out. Perfect! Hammer & I had to wait a bit for an uphill breeze and then we both got to fly. Here's a GoPro screenshot as I do a quick shoulder check before starting my reverse inflation. I got to fly through a few wispies before they disappeared...one of my favourite things!  After seeing this video where a pilot missed a crucial step in his pre-flight (he looped his speedbar line through his reserve handle, causing an accidental deployment when he stepped on bar while flying!), it made me think about all the times pilots sometimes hurry on launch either because conditions look great or there are people waiting to take-off. This is a good reminder to take the time you need...safety is always the priority! Here is a picture of my launch helper William (who came tandem with me for his birthday a couple of years ago) who helped sort out my lines. A second set of eyes is always helpful, and after a double check I was good to go! Keep an eye on your buddies, and don't be shy to speak up if you see something that doesn't look right! 
Sunday February 22nd...mark that day on your calendars! Skywalk Team Pilot and owner of Jet Set Paragliding Martina Lang will host a casual get together to learn your instruments, check out some used gear (bring yours to sell!) and talk about XC plans for the upcoming season. More info at this link. Come join us! Thanks to Chief Instructor Adam Gibson from Sun Hang Do Chilliwack for letting me rent this awesome space! Can't wait to practice some PLF's on that mat ;)  |
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