Sunday at Lanikai

I missed the dawn patrol that went to Kahana for some downrange action. I was pretty bummed because I had to work. Got a call from Don, visiting pilot, saying that Reaper was going to Lanikai. Just my luck I was done work. Karen, a friend of Bob's, had just stopped by the house and wanted to hike up and get some pictures, so we headed for the trail.

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.