A neophytes experience
Posted: Fri Aug 12, 2005 2:43 pm
I've been meaning to write this note all week, but it's been another one of *those* weeks! 
Demon kindly organised a ride for me last Friday with Big-G out to the dam, via Sue's and back. Now I'd never been in what seemed at first to me to be a type of motorised sled hung under a great big bloody wing, so here are the impressions of a complete neophyte who has never been close to one of these things before (although I've thrown myself off Vic Falls bridge, out of blikkies with a parachute and so forth before):
The overwhelming sense I was left with was that this is the closest man will ever get to being a bird; it's the closest he will ever come to "natural" flying. Period.
The first thing that surprised me was the size of the wing on the trike. I never realised they were so big.
When we took off I was surprised at how much thrust seemed to come off what I perceived as a relatively small engine (4 stroke Rotax), bearing in mind I'm used to thinking in multiples of 100's of hp in cars. But I was suprised at how quiet the engine was.
To be honest, I found the intial bit of turbulence on take off a shade disconcerting (not frightening) but settled down pretty quickly. We ran low and fast over some hills and then a tight right bank after dropping into a kloof-like area. That raised my hair a little!
But when we got over the water, flying for all the world like so many geese, I started to understand it all better. It was simply amazing! :D And then flying along the ridges I have hiked before. A Coke at Sue's and off again, into the wind, sharp right turn and bank back over Sue's house with her watching. I thought we were going to brush the trees but the master knew eactly what he was doing alright. Running back, Big-G put the bird into a 360 turn and took his hands off the bar. Steady as rock until we ran into our own propwash. I knew then just how stable the machine can be. Running home in the twilight was perfect peace. Back at the hangar a quick fly past, right bank and then slight wingover (exciting!!!) and onto the runway. Then it was all over, but every moment was diamond engraved in the glass of my memory.
Friday night I flew all night with my eyes closed. Saturday morning, all I wanted was to find my way into the air again.
Demon kindly organised a ride for me last Friday with Big-G out to the dam, via Sue's and back. Now I'd never been in what seemed at first to me to be a type of motorised sled hung under a great big bloody wing, so here are the impressions of a complete neophyte who has never been close to one of these things before (although I've thrown myself off Vic Falls bridge, out of blikkies with a parachute and so forth before):
The overwhelming sense I was left with was that this is the closest man will ever get to being a bird; it's the closest he will ever come to "natural" flying. Period.
The first thing that surprised me was the size of the wing on the trike. I never realised they were so big.
When we took off I was surprised at how much thrust seemed to come off what I perceived as a relatively small engine (4 stroke Rotax), bearing in mind I'm used to thinking in multiples of 100's of hp in cars. But I was suprised at how quiet the engine was.
To be honest, I found the intial bit of turbulence on take off a shade disconcerting (not frightening) but settled down pretty quickly. We ran low and fast over some hills and then a tight right bank after dropping into a kloof-like area. That raised my hair a little!
But when we got over the water, flying for all the world like so many geese, I started to understand it all better. It was simply amazing! :D And then flying along the ridges I have hiked before. A Coke at Sue's and off again, into the wind, sharp right turn and bank back over Sue's house with her watching. I thought we were going to brush the trees but the master knew eactly what he was doing alright. Running back, Big-G put the bird into a 360 turn and took his hands off the bar. Steady as rock until we ran into our own propwash. I knew then just how stable the machine can be. Running home in the twilight was perfect peace. Back at the hangar a quick fly past, right bank and then slight wingover (exciting!!!) and onto the runway. Then it was all over, but every moment was diamond engraved in the glass of my memory.Friday night I flew all night with my eyes closed. Saturday morning, all I wanted was to find my way into the air again.
I will always almost be there by the time you have to leave...
angel she is she actually give's it to me. i must say there is nothing like haveing a "power nap" after a great mornings flying