Centauri's Thoughts

Our 2nd year at sun-n-fun. In general, pretty much the same as last year. We saw many planes, enjoyed the airshow, and got sunburned! I still enjoy it though, Seeing the Aerobatics is always good for me.

We had a very busy and fun 4th as a friend of ours was visiting from Savannah.
Saturday was spent on rollercoasters at Universal Islands of Adventure. I think we squeezed in some 10 rides in a few hours. That night we headed out to Wallaby Ranch, which is where I have done some Hang Gliding in the past. A great little place to hang out and talk and live flying for a while. After settling in a little, I grabbed a beer and started wandering to see who I remembered there (some people live and work there). I found a group and I remembered a few of them, chatted for a while, then finally settled down for the night (flying starts at 8am).
Sunday morning, we were up about 7:30 and ready to get in the air. We got our paperwork settled and on the "who goes next" list and then walked out to here they were taking off. Within about 45 minutes, it was my turn, so I got the helmet on, and stepped into the harness. After settling in and suspending my weight we were ready for liftoff. the instructor signalled the tug to take off and away we went, rolling slowly at first and gaining more and more speed. When you are used to an ultralight, even though you are sitting less than 1 foot off the ground before lifting off, you ARE sitting. With the gliders, you are basically looking at the grass, face down, about a foot away, instead of sitting up about 2 to 3 feet away, a wholly different experience!

So, as we are approaching stall speed, the lightness of the craft can be felt,as each bounce feels light (like the difference between driving over an undulation in the road vs. a speed bump), then finally we are airborne. At this point we actively control the glider to stay right behind the tug, so as not to pull him off course either (the glider wants to fly a lot easier than the tug,so we have to fly fast and hold it down).

we slowly gain altitude, zigzagging about always close to the field, to reach our target altitude of 2,000 feet. Once there, we release, and begin our slow flight back down to the ground. I make a few turns in each direction, to get used to it all again (its been 2 years) and it seems like we wernt in the air very long at all, and its time to set up for landing.

The flights are in smooth air for training, so they dont last long, but all this is training for launching, landing and control so when its time to do some real soaring, you are a safe flyer (take-offs are optional, landings are *mandatory*)
Our friend from Savannah had a blast, and went up twice that day. I can go up almost anytime because Wallaby Ranch isnt very far away from here.

We went to Sun-n-Fun in Lakeland, Florida yesterday. I have always had a love of flying, and being a pilot, and living in Florida the past 3 years, I have always meant to go to Sun-n-Fun.

I finally got my chance. I saw the usual things, talked to some of the UL guys, looked at the planes and jets, and finally settled down for the 3 hour airshow in the afternoon. Having done some aerobatics myself, I could put myself in the plane with these pilots as they shake rattle and roll. No matter what kind of rollercoaster you have ridden, that is a baby coaster compared to aerobatic flight. A rollercoaster might, at most, put 2.5 G forces on you, and the zero G is sub second.

Aerobatics will allow you to put as much G force on you and plane and you can stand (depending on craft). I saw many great moves and some of the best pilots in the world (including Patty Wagstaff) and topped of by some moves by an F-16.
Seeing and hearing that F-16 come screaming across the field almost silent, until the afterburners hit and then climb straight up, rumbling all the way.. Just awesome, no other words fit.. watching the most maneuverable fighter in the world have at it.. just awesome