Hang Gliding!

[woodworkingboy]

Machine gun noises....he needs another war.

 

[Cobleskill]

He turns 90 in a month. Quite a guy.

 

[treetx]

Cloud hopping yesterday

http://youtu.be/JTOz7lCf0oU

<iframe width="640" height="480" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/JTOz7lCf0oU" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[cory]

Damn. Thats hard to believe. How high up, duration?

 

[treetx]

Cloud base was about 5K above ground. I flew for 2.5hrs, returning to earth just because I was tired and couldn't resist the beer in the cooler.

 

[cory]

Crazy stuff. Where'd you launch from?

Is that Safe?? What about downdrafts and stuff??

 

[treetx]

Of course it is safe. This is the launch, I towed up to 1700ft and then just rode the thermals to the clouds.

<iframe width="640" height="480" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/bnHeSl5mOfo" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[MasterBlaster]

It has its risks.

 

[treetx]

Life has risks. It is aviation. I would bet a nickle that it is safer than climbing dodgy trees with chainsaws.

 

[MasterBlaster]

I agree.

 

[woodworkingboy]

I recall my flight in a two seated glider, the kind with wings and an enclosed cockpit. Being lifted by a thermal was an awesome feeling of powerful. It must be even more so when open exposed in a light hang glider.

 

[SoonerFan]

I loved my one glider ride in Durango, Colorado. I would definitely do it again!

 

[woodworkingboy]

I got sick to my stomachs....

 

[treetx]

<iframe width="640" height="480" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/K-Eje6RqiSI" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Close encounter with rain.

 

[MasterBlaster]

Do you get a lotta phone calls while aloft?

How high can you go?

 

[treetx]

Legally, I can go to 17,999 ft. Oxygen is a consideration above 12-13K.

In central Texas, you rarely get above 8K.

In terms of distance, last week 2 guys flew 475 miles here in Texas (south of Laredo to Lubbock).

Phone? The beep beep beep is my variometer (tell you if you are in lift)

 

[MasterBlaster]

Ever take a wizz up there?

 

[treetx]

Heck yeah, but if you don't take off with your fly already unzipped, it is tough to do while flying and the project turns into a search and rescue mission - Lol!

 

[MasterBlaster]

What's you average time aloft? Does rain make you crash?

 

[woodworkingboy]

It's cool how you can take off from flat ground like you do, no running and jumping off a cliff. I took off as a passenger in a regular glider once, pulled by a winch. I felt some g forces, it was a little scary my first time.

Is lightning a concern?

 

[cory]

that is totally insane. Fascinating too. I don't think I could do that, but it looks amazing.

 

[treetx]

A little mountain flying from a Labor Day trip to Arizona

<iframe width="853" height="480" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Vl7tx61LHvg?list=UUVwCj1Ur8oF1SH1LnX_xP4A&hl=en_US" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[Burnham]

You started out with oxygen, looks like. Very impressive, Nate.

 

[treetx]

Yeah, driving up from my home at 500ft to the USFS campsite at 7800 ft wrecked me. I was sipping on O's before I ever left the ground.

After a day at altitude, I felt much better.

 

[Burnham]

You're made of sterner stuff than I. My adventurer gene is not quite so well developed . Thanks for sharing.