TANDEM
INTRODUCTION TO THE SKY
For those that would first like to see if
they are going to be comfortable enough in the sky to make a true
commitment to learning this incredible sport, a tandem introductory
flight is the best place to start. You and your instructor will be
towed by an ultralight to anywhere from 2,000 to 5,280 feet, one mile
high. There you will release the tow line and realize free flight. The
instructor will handle the more technical aspects of the launch, tow
and landing. Ideally, you will be pilot in command for as much of the
flight down as your over stimulated nervous system will allow.
At this point you are going to be in one of two
states of mind. You are either going to be thinking, "Man, what a kick
that was and now I'm off to my next, unrelated adventure." With that we
say, Thank you for sharing the air and an exciting time of your life
with us." Or, you are thinking, "I am Arizona's newest and some day
greatest Air Junky!" Our job then is to help you select the appropriate
training package.
AEROTOW
(AT) FLIGHT INSTRUCTION
Aerotow is a
technique by which a hang glider is towed to altitude by a powerful
ultralight aircraft. The hang glider pilot eventually releases the tow
line and glides down leisurely or looks for thermal lift which will
carry the pilot higher and farther.
Through multiple
tandem aerotows in the AT1 program, you will eventually gain the
expertise that enables you to be "Pilot in Command" during the entire
flight including launching and landing. When you consistently
demonstrate the ability to launch smoothly, keep a straight line on the
tug and hit your spot on landing, you will earn the right to aerotow
solo under radio supervision in the AT2 program or sign up for a foot
launch class. After multiple solo flights demonstrating safe,
consistent piloting skills and good judgment, you will receive your
aerotow sign-off, which gives you the right to come out and tow
unsupervised.
FOOT
LAUNCH (FL) INSTRUCTION
Now that you have
learned to fly like a bird, it is time you learn to launch like one.
Bet you never saw an eagle towing a hawk into the sky. To develop the
skills necessary to safely hurl your newly bewinged body from a windy
cliff face 4,000 feet above the valley floor, you must first survive a
foot launch ground school. In an open field you will learn and practice
your ground handling and launch technique on flat ground where you are
not faced with the distraction of becoming airborne. If you actually do
take flight, it is because are giving a very good run, probably
enjoying a bit of a headwind and are listening and responding well to
the instructions given over your radio. The wing may in fact pick you
up a few feet at which time you will pull in the control bar and hit
the ground running again. This is an exercise we call "moon walking"
which will instill in you a dozen or so reflexes we need to observe
before you are considered eligible for flight training in the mountains.
Okay, so you have
worn most of the tread off of a perfectly good pair of sneakers with
all that running. But, in so doing, you have earned the right to attend
your first mountain class. You have developed the skills necessary to
foot launch safely and aggressively.
The sites we
utilize are a pair of volcano shield cones located on the edge of the
painted desert near Flagstaff, Arizona. Sheba Crater rises to 780 feet
above the landing zone, Merriam Crater tops at 1,230 feet above the LZ.
The wind gods have much to say about which crater we use, but between
the two we have 360 degree launch capability. The craters are notorious
for conditions that vary throughout the day. Anything from glass smooth
ridge lift to screaming AZ thermals that can carry XC (cross country)
pilots on flights of well over 100 miles. These are very
forgiving sites for developing your ridge soaring, spot landing,
thermalling and XC skills.
Your mountain
adventure is more thoroughly enjoyed if approached with a full weekend
of commitment. We typically caravan out Friday evening and return
Sunday evening as early as possible allowing for having to get you
people to quit babbling and giggling and get your birds loaded for the
drive home.
There are mountains and then there are mountains. Welcome to the
"Mingus Monster." Launching from an altitude of almost 8,000 feet, the
vertical drop to the primary landing zone at the Cottonwood Airport is
almost 4,000 feet. From this site, experienced pilots may terminate
their flights at the Sedona Airport, Flagstaff or beyond. Together, we
walk the primary LZ as well as the "bailout Zone", discuss landing
approach strategy, flight plan, airport rules, etc.
Along with the use of Miller Canyon south of Tucson and other
high mountain sites, you are able to further develop your thermalling
skills as well as learn that all important cliff launch technique. On
these weekend excursions, you will earn additional skills sign-offs
that help you earn the highest ratings in our sport. These ratings
allow you to proudly approach any launch site in America and receive
the well deserved clearance to fly that site. Here too is where you
begin compiling your own collection of, "And there I was..." stories.
Very useful later around the campfire and/or local pub.
There is the purest form of flight and there is
powered flight. All flying is fun! While some prefer the relative quiet
of soaring flight and the challenge of having to find an invisible mass
of rising air to sustain their flight, others lean towards the
convenience, lesser weather dependence and even joy of tinkering that
can be realized in flying ultralights. This training involves a few
hours of ground school and a few more hours of dual instruction in a
two-place trike that is controlled by weight shift as with a regular
hang glider. When you have shown good judgment and consistent ability
at hauling your instructor around the sky, always returning him/her
safely to terra firma, you will solo.
