Beam Me Up Stevey
Eight of our hang gliding students learn to aerotow and then converge on the thermals at Forbes, NSW, in April.
As winter now sets in, it is quite dreamy reflecting back, and down, to the hot dry paddock below from which my student-pilots were teleported thousands of feet deep into Earth’s troposphere. These guys not only learned to aerotow hang gliders safely, but they also tapped into an unfamiliar energy form: thermals.
Above: Student Andrew Phillip towing up behind Steve McCarthy at our Forbes Aerotow Clinic. Photo by Andrew
Once again, the flatlands of Forbes has lived up to its world-class reputation by delivering the goods in late-April. One student had been dreaming of this opportunity for over 30 years. And another hadn’t even fathomed the idea months ago before he started learning to hang glide with me at Stanwell Park.
After some early sunrise starts, tandem training flights, and hours of theory, everyone had logged some smooth-air solo tows. Steadily, each individual progressed toward honing-in on lift as they released free from the Moyes Dragonfly at 2500 feet, as engine noise was cut and tug pilot Steve McCarthy dropped away. There was a brief moment to bask in the glory of the transition from powered flight to free-flight before it was time to turn the focus onto overcoming gravity.
We had a monumental trip of safe flying with a great bunch of new friends. I caught up with the students shortly after the trip and will let their email-interviews tell the rest of the story:
Name: Matt Radzyner Age: 38yrs Hours(HG): 50Hang Glider: Sting 154
Other aircraft you fly: 747-400
Occupation: Pilot
Flying Highlights from Forbes: Steve dropping me right in the middle of a thermal which took me straight to cloudbase at 5500'. Awesome!
Non-flying highlights: Meeting a bunch of great people!
Flying goals in the next year: Flying in my first hang gliding comp.
Name: Nari Watabe
Age:31
Hours (HG): 30hrs
Hang Glider: FUN160
Other aircraft you fly: Cessna 172, Piper Warrior, and Seminole
Occupation: Aviation student Flying Highlights from Forbes:
It was a great aerotowing session. I was over controlling for the beginning because I was a little nervous and my arms were rigid but through curt's instruction and some practice I was able to feel the glider better and built up confidence. Getting aero-towed was like a rodeo. It was exciting and a great fun. Not only I learnt aerotowing but general handling of hang glider, and thermalling. I learnt something new every day in Forbes.
Non-flying highlights:
Never camped like that before in my life. Quite primitive. I am amazed that I need only a few things to live with...
The clubhouse was very convenient for using the kitchen, toilet and shower. Thank you so much.
Participate in comps. Get a flying job. Anything else...
I am going back to my home country, Japan soon. I wont forget my fun time hang gliding and great people I met in Australia. Thank you everyone. And special thanks to Curt who organised this event and Steve who flew the dragon fly without much rest and looked after us so well.
Name: Andrew Phillip
Age: 43
Hours (HG): 52
Hang Glider: Fun 190
Other aircraft you fly: That's it.
Occupation: Safety Manager
Flying Highlights from Forbes: Having an Wedge-Tail Eagle as a Wing Man
Non-flying highlights: Lots of great company with other pilots,
friendly locals, social barbeques and drinks, beautiful sunsets.
Flying goals in the next year: Car towing (July), thermal to 10,000 feet
Name: Michael Feldman Age: 25
Hours (HG): Approx. 10
Hang Glider: Moyes Malibu 188
Other aircraft you fly: No others
Occupation: Medical Student
Flying Highlights from Forbes: First time thermaling, first time to 5000ft, using eagles as cues!
Non-flying highlights: Comradeship, 'buoyant' atmosphere
Flying goals in the next year: Keep flying skills current, fly a variety of different sites, progress to intermediate
Anything else... Hang gliding is awesome!
Name: Fred Smeaton
Age: 41
Hours (HG): 20
Other aircraft you fly: Jabarou, Satobria
Occupation: Miner
Flying highlights were learning to tow in a safe environment under good supervision & Adding another dimension to my flying.
Non flying highlight was watching the sun set with a beer in hand at the aerolub in the company of good people.
Goals: Maximise air time, start going places inland, continuing to learn.
Name: Craig March
Age: 38
Hours in a HG: 25
Hang Glider(s) you fly:
Moyes Malibu 188, Moyes XT 165 and Airbone Sting2 175 XC.
Other (?) aircraft you fly:
BAE Jestream32 (for work).
Occupation:
Regional Airline Pilot
Flying Highlights from Forbes:
Learning aero towing as an alternative means of launching, and doing so in a safe, professional and fun environment with a great bunch of fellow hang glider pilots. Second highlight would have to be watching the eagle thermalling beside Andrew's glider at 3500'. Awesome sight from where I was watching from the ground, and I could only imagine how great it was being up there with that eagle.
Non-flying highlights:
Meeting Hang Gliding Legend Bill Moyes, and hearing all his fascinating flying stories at the dinner table. Also, reminiscing the day with a nice cold beer after a long day's flying.
Flying goals in the next year:
Try to fly as often as I can when conditions permit, gaining more confidence in Hang Gliding with each time I fly. Also, my recent purchase of an Explorer Motor Harness is itching to be used, now that I have the wing for it in the Sting 175.
Anything else...
Lastly, a BIG THANK YOU to Curt Warren of Warren Windsports for running a well structured, safe, professional and fun course along with a great bunch of flying buddies who also participated. I look forward to many more flying adventures with all of these guys
Name: Neil McGregor
Age: 48
Hours (HG): 12
Hang Glider: North Wing Freedom 190
Other aircraft you fly: Trikes (formerly)
Occupation: Wine Producer
Flying Highlights from Forbes: 1. First real thermalling
experience - no boomers but nice little pockets - nice to practice thermally
when you don't have to worry about not running into the hill! 2. Getting
comfortable in tow with moderate turbulence around. 2. Sharing the
experience with a like minded group. Non-flying highlights: 1. Camping under the stars with a nice
bunch of people and making new friends.
Flying goals in the next year: 1. Build my hours ridge and thermal 2. Nail
every takeoff and landing. 3. Get my intermediate.
Anything else...
No question that this is the way to learn to tow. In a group (moral
support), slow progression from tandem to solo/moderate turbulence, great
instructor who cares, great tug pilot who cares, great location.
Name: Daniel Heckenberg
Age: 33
Hours (HG): 15
Hang Glider: Airborne Fun 190 Other aircraft you fly: None
Occupation: Animation Software Engineer
Flying Highlights from Forbes: Overcoming my trepidation of aerotowing was necessary to learn the necessary skills and to experience the delights of flatland flying. Spectacular views combined with thrilling thermals and straight-forward landings make it very memorable indeed.
Non-flying highlights:
It was great to meet more pilots and hear tales of their other lives over the buzz of the locusts. And it's always a pleasure to see the inimitable Moyes and McCarthy tug teams in action.
Flying goals in the next year: Finding my way to that party at cloudbase I keep hearing about.
