[Bob Kuczewski]

Chattaroy Man returns to hang gliding after 29 years!!

On October 11th, 2010, Chattaroy Man (Steve) took his first flight since 1981...

One of Steve's First Flights since 1981!! Photo taken at Winchester California, October 11th, 2010.

FalconWinchester.jpg (59.71 KiB) Viewed 4688 times

Steve's Falcon 225 on his ladder rack at Winchester, California.

Winchester.JPG (44.6 KiB) Viewed 4688 times

Steve prepared for his return to hang gliding at Torrey Pines during the Torrey Hawks Second Sunday Fly-In on October 10th, 2010:

Steve with his Falcon 225 at the Torrey Hawks Second Sunday on 10/10/10.

Torrey_1.JPG (36.25 KiB) Viewed 4688 times

Welcome back Steve!!!
(Welcome Back, Welcome Back, Welcome Back!!!)

[SamKellner]

Steve,

Great to see you back. That was a long vacation away from the sport!

IMO the sport of HG is missing the input/opinion of pilots like yourself that remember what was and
now, see what is. Sort of a before and after viewpoint.

There's nothing wrong with an all HG Assn.

I was out for 15 years. After leaving San Diego in '85 and moving back to Reg11, I quit till '01. Upon re-entry, of course I looked up Torrey Pines Glider Port website.

No pics of HG. Hardly any mention of it, but with a bias attitude. What were those parachute-like things bobbing along the ridge? Plenty pics of them. I'd never seen a PG. Things had really changed. The USHGA had changed too.

The US Hawks' mission statement Bob posted today sums it up superbly. Also, his post on the paraglider topic.

Welcome back and hope we'll see your posts here too.

Congratulations,
Sam Kellner
SW Texas Hang Gliders
US Hawks Chapter #4

[ChattaroyMan]

Thanks Sam! Got to fly a bit higher last week - Steptoe Butte in Eastern WA - 1,000 butte surrounded by gently rolling wheat fields. Getting a better feel for things with each flight. Still have some takeoff work to do. Landing the Falcon 1 225 is way too easy. I'll be trying Steptoe again later this week if weather and a driver work out. It is looking perfect for Wednesday afternoon right now - East @ 7 mph (which will likely be 10-15 on the butte). East is the steepest slope of the butte. I hope to be in the air there by 4:30 PM and sunset is @ around 5:30 that day - so, with luck I may just get in an hour or so! It is GOOD to be back!

Here are a couple of photos from Thursday.....

Takeoff @ Steptoe Butte - E. Washington

SteptoeTO.jpg (101.4 KiB) Viewed 4658 times

In flight @ Steptoe

SteptoeFalcon02.jpg (86 KiB) Viewed 4658 times

[Bob Kuczewski]

Wow Steve!!! That is beautiful scenery up there!!

It reminds me of the early photos of so many So Cal sites that we've lost over the years. They looked so wide open and deserted ... until they were gone. While you're enjoying that beautiful scenery, please give a little thought to how to protect it for future generations.

Mostly, thanks for sharing those great photos. It makes me want to come to Chattaroy and join you!!

Bob K.

[SamKellner]

Oh Yeah Steve! Good show. Man that looks like a super flying site. Like Bob says, it's tempting to head out your way.

Each part of the US has different kind of flying sites and flying conditions. That looks super. You should feel lucky.

Thanks for posting here and the pics are great. Preflight & hang check

Sam
SW Tx.

[Chris McKeon]

Twenty Nine Years! And i sit here thinking that i have not flown in twelve and a half years. chris get real You have hardly taken any time off From Flying. But that will change for i do indeed have an upcoming Sky-Date/. I so wonder if I will Remember the Basics. Such as when You want the Wing to Roll, You Push out while Moving Your Body towards one Side, I worry that I will not Remember how to Whack a Glider. But John said; "Don't worry, You will remember how to whack."