
This was going to be my first Lanikai flight and Bonker's first too. We all got to the launch and no one was eager to go first. One-Eye Jim called up from the beach with perfect LZ conditions, so visiting pilot Seattle Nick got the ball rolling with an excellent lift off. I was next and with the help of the Reaper had an awesome launch.
Next was Bonkers and then, believe it or not, Night Shift made a pre-dusk appearance, followed by Reaper. We flew for quite some time and I even got a visit from Iwa Bob, Karen got this shot. The winds started to pick up, so Reaper called a landing party.
I had gotten my instructions and thought I had my flight plan, go over the white roofs, go down the beach then turn in and land. Well, I did all that but the turn. When I was reaching the point of turning I thought I was too low to turn right over the water and then in and I knew a turn left would put me a little too close to the houses, so I picked a spot down wind and did a slide into home. The area was not crowded but the wing came down gently on some sunbathers, I apologized and they said no problem, they had never had a parachute land on them before.
I will definitely get it next time. Just can't wait. Let's Go Fly.
3 comments:
Good thing Donna was there to smooth things over with the sand dwellers! Nice recovery Thom.
Nice flying with you guys. Lanikai is a gem right in our backyard, but nobody hardly flies it anymore. Here's some more pic's - http://www.facebook.com/peter.michelmore?ref=nf#/album.php?aid=20743&id=1601222322&ref=mf
Oh, and side hill, ya just needed to turn right into the wind a little higher up and further back. Thats why I had you following the beach all the way to the lz. It's all LZ, ya?
Reaper
One of the guys here at my fire station was there, he reports a bunch of guys landing easily, and one guy skidding downwind down the beach, through the naupaka. I assume that was you Thom.
Post a Comment