Sierra Nevada - Day Two

A slow start to the day meant that we were ready for flight by the afternoon (was it the beer from the night before?). The wind was still from a southerly direction, which meant it was the Padul south launch again. This time the launch site didn't seem so daunting and after rigging our gliders, each of us launched. All the flights with the exception of Roger's were simple top to bottoms again. Roger decided that today was cross-country day, and as we watched him venture up the valley into the distance, we wondered if he were to return. He did and with a huge grin on his face!

My first flight concluded with an interesting landing. During my final approach I flew over the sewage works that processed what ever came out of Padul. This happened to be a good thermic source (don't ask!), as it generated a 6 up sending me skyward. Unfortunately my inbuilt auto-pilot was set to land mode and I failed to exploit this lift; I was more concerned with getting down, so I turned in an attempt to leave the lift. A few moments later my vario squealed high pitched beeps and I was in 6 up again, the landing field was slowly getting smaller! This happened a few more times, prolonging my flight another 2 minutes or so before my landing. If I'd only stuck with it, who'd know where I'd ended up!

The only eventful landing was Tony's, when he demonstrated a hang glider stall/parachute landing technique (flaring too early) from a height of no less than 30 feet, dumping him nicely on his belly and fortunately without major injury (mainly a bruised pride as we were all watching in horror).

After packing the gliders, loading them up, and returning to take-off, the second flight of the day was executed. By the time of the third flight, the wind had shifted around to the north, ending Tuesdays flying! That evening each of us would have our own exciting stories to tell!