Dockweiler RHG Diary

[Bob Kuczewski]

Frank and I had a fun day of flying at Dockweiler yesterday.

Frank brought his Condor 225 and his brand new Alpha 235:.

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We both paid our parking fees to support Beaches and Harbors.

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We set up Frank's new Wills Wing Alpha 235 first:

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We took a picture of Frank with his new glider:

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And then there was lots of flying of both gliders:

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Unfortunately I didn't get any photos or video of flying Frank's swing seat.

We "sealed the deal" on Frank's gift of the Condor with a fist bump:

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Thanks Frank!!

[Frank Colver]

Here's screen shot from the video when we had re-trimmed all the way back to where it began - the factory trim.

Here is my Dropbox of the final video of the re-trimming process. Funny!

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/2r1kn8l3avcl ... d0z1a?dl=0

Frank

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[SamKellner]

Wow! You Boys Lookin' Good !



........

[Bill Cummings]

[Bob Kuczewski]

The wind for Monday (today) looks pretty good from 1pm onward:

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The direction looks a little bit southwest, but part of the ridge faces that direction.

[Bob Kuczewski]

Another fun day for the Dockweiler Recreational Hang Gliding Diary.

Joe Faust, Dave Beardslee, and I all spent the day flying at Dockweiler under the waivers that the County of Los Angeles implemented almost 4 years ago.

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Thanks to the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors.

Special thanks to Dave Beardslee for "saving the day" with his Airwave "Double Vision" tandem glider!!!

[JoeF]

Thank you, Dave Beardslee
your launch tips and wing for the day! Generous.

Historic note: This was the first time Bob Kuczewski flew the Airwave 215 tandem; it was the first time Joe Faust flew the Airwave 215 tandem. This was the first time that the three pilots flew Dave's wing at Dockweiler together. Super. The 70+ lb wing was a beastly workout for the returns. Flight counts: BobK at 14, JoeF at 10 or 9; Dave at 2.
A note: have one's gut settled and not bloated when carrying back that wing.

[JoeF]

Thank you, Dave Beardslee
for your launch tips and wing for the day! Generous. And for you .... for the day.

Historic note: This was the first time Bob Kuczewski flew the Airwave 215 tandem; it was the first time Joe Faust flew the Airwave 215 tandem. This was the first time that the three pilots flew Dave's wing at Dockweiler together. Super. The 70+ lb wing was a beastly workout for the returns. Flight counts: BobK at 14, JoeF at 10 or 9; Dave at 2.
A note: have one's gut settled and not bloated when carrying back that wing.

Our activity attracted conversations with many beach visitors.

Thank you, Bob, for the lift, day, and the meal for the four of us.

We visited Beaches and Harbors office and entered a waiver form for one our group today. We met the new worker in charge of "concessions."

This flight session was part of my annual Otto Lilienthal birthday celebrating ... month of May. Some of us will also be at Dockweiler on May 23rd, Sunday.

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From the pen of a great hang glider pilot John Heiney in 1994:

The most important habit to develop at this early stage is smoothness. When I was first learning to fly fifteen years ago I happened to choose the home site of some excellent early pilots whose behavior I observed. I learned much of what I know about hang gliding from David Beardslee. The most outstanding quality of David's flying is his smoothness. He launches smoothly, soars smoothly and lands smoothly. He flies like a soaring bird, with maximum efficiency. If you have occasion to watch him fly, notice his technique. From the moment he starts his launch run, through his landing flare, every move he makes is smooth

[Frank Colver]

Wish I could have joined you guys at Dockweiler. When Bob called me to say he was going to Dockweiler on Monday I was at Bullfrog Marina on Lake Powell.

I had just been into "Cathedral in the Desert" for only the third time in my life to experience again the fantastic huge grotto there with its beautiful high waterfall and to record my Native American style flute in the amazing acoustics. Most of the years this beautiful gift of nature is buried under the water of the reservoir and no one can experience it like I did last Saturday.
RESTORE GLEN CANYON

Frank

[Bob Kuczewski]

Wish I could have joined you guys at Dockweiler. When Bob called me to say he was going to Dockweiler on Monday I was at Bullfrog Marina on Lake Powell.

We missed you, but there will be more flying days ahead. The COVID panic is finally subsiding just in time for the 50th anniversary on May 23, 2021.

Thanks for spreading the word.