|
On Wednesday 5-25-2004, I flew my first solo flight. It
started like any other day of practice. Jeff and I went to
one of the sites we had been using. At the time it was a
vacant field snugged between a busy shopping center and a
Meijer's, not the ideal location. Practice at this stage was
having the motor on while running with the wing overhead.
This time though Jeff knew I was ready so he had reviewed a
few safety items with me and let me know that this might be
the day.
Well it was. I got the wing up overhead turned and began
running. The only thing I remember is Jeff saying "more
throttle, more throttle" and next thing I knew my feet were
off the ground. Hanging like Gumby I followed Jeff's
directions on the radio. I was petrified.
I did finally manage to get into my seat and continued
following directions. I remember having the fear of coming
down. I had determined that it would just be better to stay
up here, coming down meant my body would be colliding with
the earth below. Somehow Jeff was able to coerce me out of
the sky. I landed on my feet and didn't even go to my knees.
I was sick to my stomach though from tension.
My second flight came the next day at a much more
suitable location, a large field near our home. For the next
20 flights or so there was still trepidation before each
flight.
Now I have a healthy fear of what I know could happen,
although unlikely. The risk is similar to riding a
motorcycle. Jeff has drilled safety into my
head over and over again. I was part of helping make a
safety video on the sport,
PPG Risk & Reward
where I learned a lot. I had a few scenes in it but I
was mainly helping behind the scenes. Jeff was the "star" and Phil Russman, a former Hollywood cameraman and editor, did the
camera work. Phil is always trying to make his work better
than the last. It shows in his work. Check out
LiteTouch Films
to see some of his creations. It is a safe sport, you just need
to know were the dark corners are and how to avoid them.
Powered Paragliding (PPG) has become an addiction. I'm not as bad as many are about getting airtime though. As
long as I can get into the air once a week weather permitting I am
happy. During the colder months Jeff obliges me and will
take me up in the plane or helicopter to get my fix. But the thrill of
being able to run into the air and seeing sites like I
had never seen them before is just plain awesome.
I have roughly 250 flights. Most of my flying time
comes locally during the warmer parts of the year. During the not so enjoyable colder months is when I get away
to fly in warmer parts of the country. Having an RV
living in those parts has it's distinct advantages. Not only can you call it home anywhere you park it but it
also serves as an "aircraft carrier" hence it's name the
"Enterprise". Read more about the Enterprise and how it all
got started
here.
As you can see to the Enterprise easily carries
two paramotors on the back. Being able to travel the
country and fly the sites too is great. You can read about
my trips on the Trip Log
page. Back home though it's a lot of fun too. Living in
Naperville has many advantages. One of which is that it
borders the country side, although suburbia is quickly
gaining ground. The place that I soloed at now has
townhouses on it and many of the corn and soybean fields I
have drug my feet through are now paved. But for now I can
drive just 5-10 minutes and still find a launch site.
Technically I can launch from the house which resides on an
airport but the only place you can go from there is to the
prairie preserve next door. Which had been no issue until
some other pilots in the neighborhood began flying there
almost daily. The forest preserve people didn't take to
kindly to that, claiming we where disturbing the wildlife.
We do still fly there but not often.
.
Flying the prairie preserve |
