South Side Speckin'

Had an excellent South Side session today, and it was was just what was needed after weeks of rain. It started out light, but quickly picked up and continued to build throughout the day. In the lighter stuff I took the opportunity to test-fly my new Falcon 3 Tandem (which flew sweet). Then I set up the Sundancer for some free-play :-)

I invited Dangerous Dave out, and offered him the use of my wing. Dave is one of the few I trust completely with my hang gliding equipment- and for good reason. He's pretty talented, pretty experienced... pretty amazing I must say.

As much good ribbing as we give eachother, I step up and admit when I'm beat... and today Dave took me to school... on my own glider. Click on the shot below to see it bigger...

3D specking out in the Sundancer

It would seem we have discovered the first (and possibly only) flaw with my new glider... the custom inlay artwork is absolutely useless because the glider climbs too well. I haven't had a bad flight on it since I got it... unless you count tagging the summit of Lone Peak, from the North Side, and freezing my tuckus off...

All kidding aside, Wills Wing did a FANTASTIC job on the new wing, and I am deeply grateful (as was Dave after flying it too)

Wes flying Inspo

Here's my friend Wes flying "Inspo", or Inspiration, UT.

Fly Utah!

Last summer I decided to put together a short promotional film about hang gliding. I wanted something that could be outward-facing, and attract new pilots to the sport. But I also wanted something that could be shown to existing hang glider pilots, to share how amazing the flying in Utah is. While it's not always a good idea to try to appeal to multiple demographics with the same piece... I think this manages it well.

I also wanted something short- something that grabs people, pulls them in for a few minutes... and leave them wanting more...

Without further ado, I present: FLY UTAH!

Click HERE to watch in HIGH DEFINITION on Vimeo.com

Special thanks to all those who helped me with this project- there's a lot that goes into making something like this, and a lot of people really came together (and put up with a lot from me) to make this happen. Most notably my wife

Hope you like it!

Spring has Sprung

Good 'couple-o-days on the Wasatch!

May 1 we had a great day on the North Side, getting 9k+ over the bench with relative ease! Sean AKA IrishGuy flew for something like 4+ hours, and I tagged Lone Peak (my max alt was just under 11,500 ft msl).

May 2 we flew Inspo, and I was able to get up over Cascade, which is about 11k high... then I jumped over to Mt Timponogos, but wasn't quite able to reach the summit (12k). Flew for 2.5 hrs and thoroughly enjoyed the views over the Wasatch.

Google Earth view of my flight yesterday over Cascade/Timponogos

These were my first two flights in Utah on my new wing- a Wills Wing T2C 144. I'm really digging it! It handles great, and it has enough eye-candy (in the form of carbon fiber everything) to last me a lifetime! I also went for a custom inlay design, so it's very unique. There will be no question which one is me from now on!

My new T2C bling wing... "Sundancer"

HUGE thanks to all of the guys (and gals) at Wills Wing! Just when you think you can't possibly enjoy flying any more, you get a surprise like this and it's like being a little kid all over again! Loving every minute...