Wills Wing Demo Days - Party Night

Pilots snuck in a few flights early in the morning before the day was blown out on Saturday.  Although it might have been flyable later in the afternoon, everyone slipped into party mode early.  We enjoyed a great barbecue dinner, singing happy birthday to Rob, a short program lead by Mike from Wills Wing, an extended trailer of David Aldrich's "Dreaming Awake" and a rough cut of Sara Close's and Seth Warren's "Live the Dream".  After that the evening was a blur of dancing to a live band, margaritas from the margarita machine, shots from the "shot girls", socializing, and mischief.  Wallaby Ranch knows how to party!

Sandy and Rob

Wills Wing Demo Days - Smooth Landings

The Wills Wing demo days continued Thursday and Friday.  Wills Wing sponsored another landing clinic hosted by Ryan Voight (with comic relief supplied by Paul Voight).  Although both days were breezy, the crew at Wallaby Ranch drug pilots to 500 feet (150 m) so they could land in front of Ryan's video camera for later review.  The clinic lasted most of the day Thursday and several hours on Friday. (Faye told me they towed 61 pilots into the air before breakfast on Thursday).

Although the afternoons were blown out, we kept ourselves busy with wind karts, kites, and general mischief.  The evenings were once again filled with live music, dinner, drinks, and the telling of tall stories.  Good times.

Wills Wing Demo Days - Little Bird

I awoke to the sound of hot-air balloons firing their burners in the early morning fog yesterday morning at Wallaby Ranch.

The crew from Wills Wing had their full line of gliders available for demo flights and many pilots hopped into the air for 1 hour demo flights.

I snagged a test flight on the yet-to-be-formally-announced small "136" version of the T2C.  The air down low was rowdy and everyone's tow was a challenge.  I was immediately pleased with the light handling as the tug pilot and I danced through the roiling air.  It climbed well and made it into the "air conditioned" top floor that was much smoother.  I made several long high-speed glides into the moderate southwest wind and again was impressed with the handling and control.

Photo by Steve Pearson

I eventually settled back into the choppy air below and played around the field before coming in for a nice landing.  Dang, I have glider envy again.

We had dinner, drinks, and music at the ranch last night.  Life's good.

Flights: 1, Duration: 0:46

Wallaby Ranch - Evening Glow

Tuesday started hot and got hotter.  The stable blue sky kept me on the ground as I checked out the latest gliders made by the toy makers at Wills Wings.  The steady stream of sledders slowed around mid-day as pilots slowing starting soaring.  Jason and I pushed out to launch and were in the air by 2:45.

My tow was better than the sloppy show I gave yesterday.  I was dropped off with a shrug of the shoulders as we didn't find much on the way up.  I noticed a glider climbing far to the northeast and made a bee-line a forming gaggle.  Jason was dropped off nearby and we joined up for a climb as we drifted northeast.  I lost Jason on the long glide back and watched him land as I stumbled into another climb that ended almost where the previous thermal fizzled.

After couple short climbs and several fun little struggles with thermal wannabes near the field I zoomed in for a nice landing in almost calm conditions. Not an epic flight, but fun nonetheless.  

JR, Rick, and I watched the continuing stream of tugs and gliders while the sun set into the orange groves.  The evening faded into food, drinks, and talk.

Flights: 1, Duration: 0:51

Wallaby Ranch - Flight Park Birds

Arrived at Wallaby Ranch Monday after a "refreshing" 19.5 hour drive that started in Massachusetts at 4:00am.  I rigged the tent and fell asleep under a full moon.  I took it easy the next morning while tugs pulled eager pilots into the air.  I relocated my tent, signed waivers, caught-up with old friends, and finally setup my glider for a late afternoon "smoothie".

Unfortunately, Faye drew the short card and had the "privilege" of towing me after a 6 month layoff.  Needless to say, I was rusty.  I came out of the cart slow, bounced around the towline like a marlin on a fishing line, and got so high on her a one point that I needed binoculars to see her below.  Due to a combination of skill on her part and luck on my part I got a full tow into a slow but civilized climb.

It was a pleasant late afternoon; just what I needed.  I enjoyed the company of buzzards during several climbs.  They truly are "flight park birds"; they came in close and were not a bit nervous.

It was refreshingly cool at cloud base (6000 feet / 1800 m) and the glides smooth.  A weak sea-breeze pushed through while I remained blissfully unaffected far above.  The landing was uncomplicated and uneventful; a good way to start a flying trip.

Pat M, Rob J, Rick M, Steve P, and I had a good dinner and drinks afterward at restaurant with many of other tourists that come to Orlando to "get away".

Flights: 1, Duration: 2:25