Archive for year: 2016

2 students Kevin and Ryan. Just another typical first PPG course day. We have completed the ground school, student pilot permit was issued – we even had time to get the engines out, get them started and practice running under power. Even though it was super windy outside we also managed to learn how to untangle lines put the training harness on and hook up for forward and reverse inflation inside of my climbing gym. Good but very long day. Did not finish till 8 PM. Very tired.

Off the runway 06 then fly over Niagara Falls then to Fort Erie, turn right go to Port Colborn then follow Welland canal back. Busy on the approach, wanted to join right base for 06 but was told by tower to turn left and join long final for 06 to give two other aircraft time to land. Did one touch and go then full stop. That flight had two smoothest landings ever. Its nice to hear those wheels squeak…

Govindan is paying bit more for weekend only training so we had our third day yesterday. More reverse ground handling and later with motor on his back. It was full day 10 am to 7:30 pm. Govindan will solo soon.

Students were not ready to fly yet this morning so there was no reason to get up too early. We decided for 10 am start and worked on kiting. By 1 pm both Kevin and Jason were very proficient even with motors on their back. Govindan is participating on weekends only and will be back for more this Sat and Sun. Wind started to gust up so we took 2 hr lunch and talked pre solo prep. When we came back wind was still gusting so we waited and waited. At one point we used my very small training paragliders – fun to fine tune kiting with such agile and fast gliders.

Finally by 6:30 wind has decreased to an acceptable level. Jason took off first, but could not get into the seat. It is harder then in simulator so I see it often. He flew around a bit and then I sat him down for landing.

Kevin did his first solo as well. He did get seated, flew well and made great landing. Actually both had very controlled take offs and also landed on their feet which is unusual for first time landing.  It was 2 short flight as wind was at 20 km/h which is our max. Then Jason was up to go again. Nice take off, got seated, trimmed the glider but by now was on very fast down wind and ended up about 1/2 mile from the field. He started to inch his way back but it was very slow go and eventually his engine started to lose power. He had no choice but to do forced landing in neighbouring field. No problem, we got him, just picked big mud puddle to land in in otherwise wide open field. Ha ha. I suspect that engine slowly overheated as we were using smaller then usual gliders because of the stronger wind.  That was it, congrats on first solo pilots Jason and Kevin. And…well done Jason on successful management of forced unguided  landing.

 

I got Kevin, Govindan and Jason in this PPG course. Kevin asked not to be put on web so there will be no pics of him.

Ground school went very well, I had all the forms pre filled with student’s personal information so that saved us a lot of time. I also had all the simulators and motors fully assembled so we were able to manage everything in very good time.

  Jason

  Govindan

Giving the beautiful conditions at the field with the right amount of wind it was good that ground school was finished by 230. That gave us solid five hours at the field. We started with usual. Learning about the wind. Learning about the field. Learning how to get glider out of the bag nd how to put on training harness on.  Unpack paraglider and hook it up for reverse inflation.

Then it was ground handling four hours on. Everybody’s doing well but there is no champion yet. This is the most frustrating part but It’s also the hardest part. We finished at 8 PM. Very long day, that was 12 hours of work with the rest. I do earn my money. Feeling a little stiff going to bed.

We will resume today  at 10 AM and plan to put full day of work in.