Cozyflier
Well-Known Member
Being new to the sport of soaring I am posting to share my first solo experience.
This last Sunday I left the nest and achieved solo status. The wind was out of the NW at 10-15 KTS and the clouds were starting to build. At 12:40 we launched, I was towed to 3000' AGL in the Blanik L23, no one else was aboard as this was my first solo flight. I had no choice but to make all of my own decisions, what cloud to chase, which way to go, am I high enough, can I make it back to the airport, etc.
Upon release from the tug I lost 900' and the anxiety was setting in. Then I caught my first boomer, up I went to 4700', wow that was cool, now what do I do. With my new found skills and limited confidence I decided to venture into the wind and make my way west. The wind at altitude was blowing 34 KTS and I continued to climb, run and climb. After an hour I was able to make my way 14 miles west and back to the airport, on the way back I was able to street the thermals and ended back at the airport at 3500', I was fat and happy with altitude.
I deployed the spoilers and circled down for landing and was able to put it within 50' of my intended touch down spot. What a hoot, to solo, do repetitive climbs to cloud base, do a small cross country out of glide range of the airport and to stay aloft for an hour.
I am hooked, this is going to be a gratifying sport which has introduced me to a new type of flying. So much more fun then powered aircraft, looking forward to the next ride.
Cozyflier
This last Sunday I left the nest and achieved solo status. The wind was out of the NW at 10-15 KTS and the clouds were starting to build. At 12:40 we launched, I was towed to 3000' AGL in the Blanik L23, no one else was aboard as this was my first solo flight. I had no choice but to make all of my own decisions, what cloud to chase, which way to go, am I high enough, can I make it back to the airport, etc.
Upon release from the tug I lost 900' and the anxiety was setting in. Then I caught my first boomer, up I went to 4700', wow that was cool, now what do I do. With my new found skills and limited confidence I decided to venture into the wind and make my way west. The wind at altitude was blowing 34 KTS and I continued to climb, run and climb. After an hour I was able to make my way 14 miles west and back to the airport, on the way back I was able to street the thermals and ended back at the airport at 3500', I was fat and happy with altitude.
I deployed the spoilers and circled down for landing and was able to put it within 50' of my intended touch down spot. What a hoot, to solo, do repetitive climbs to cloud base, do a small cross country out of glide range of the airport and to stay aloft for an hour.
I am hooked, this is going to be a gratifying sport which has introduced me to a new type of flying. So much more fun then powered aircraft, looking forward to the next ride.
Cozyflier
