Mecca to the Candy Factory

We're just getting home from our annual spring trip down to SoCal. I try to plan it so I have a few gliders on order that will be ready about the same time, and then picking up said gliders saves me on shipping and usually about covers my share of the cost of the trip. Wouldn't say it SAVES me any money- but I spend about the same, and I get a trip out of it... so I can't complain...

Arriving at Andy Jackson Flight Park

This year a lot more people went than previous trips, which was awesome! In my car it was Tim Rhinesmith, Dangerous Dave Gibson, and myself. Cal also drove down, with Shadd and Wes in his car. Karl and Emily Yates went down, too. And Robert Bagley drove down with his Airstream trailer.... for a grand total of 9 Utah pilots. Turned out we hooked up with another UT pilot down there, Neil, putting us at an even 10 Utahns.

This year the weather wasn't the best, but we still managed multiple flying days, with one of them being quite good considering the low cloud base. Of course none of us went in the clouds, for that would be illegal.

In-flight view of my new T2C, photo courtesy Robert Bagley

This trip was extra special to me, because I was picking up my new T2C. I've been calling it the 'bling wing' so far, but I think the "Sundancer" will be it's final name. It's such a fun, nimble glider! I felt right at home on it, thanks to Dave lending me his T2C last week for some re-currency training.

"The Sundancer", my new T2C with all the trimmin's

And the top- tight and clean

Compared to my last T2(Aluminum), and Dave's T2C... this glider is the best of everything. It handles as good or better than my aluminum T2, no easy feat... and it's FAST. Faster than Dave's C, even with his sprogs lowered a touch. Although Dave's getting a new sail, so I don't foresee any advantage over him this season...

FAST! Getting a thorough test flight on the new bird. Photo courtesy Crestline Soaring Society

All-in-all it was a great trip, and we had lots of fun. The CSS group and site(s) are top-notch, and I have to recommend a visit there if you've never been... or if you haven't been lately. Good flying with great people, what more can I say?

Carbon Obsessed. Base tube, down tubes, keel, cell phone case, WEDDING RING...