tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20110414.post4897565236855662890..comments2023-09-28T09:00:44.681-10:00Comments on Wind Lines: Lessons on Humble PieUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20110414.post-39032478209977269782010-02-06T11:12:40.553-10:002010-02-06T11:12:40.553-10:00Hey Thom,
The challenge as I see it, is to recogni...Hey Thom,<br />The challenge as I see it, is to recognize when you as a pilot are becoming distracted. I'm not talking about the obvious distractions like the approaching squall or whitecaps. We're generally pretty good at recognizing the obvious..... Distractions in aviation manifest themselves in many different ways, and sometimes creep up on us so discreetly that we never see it coming. The worst crash I've had on a paraglider came on one of the most epic looking days I'd ever seen in Alaska... the day when our site altitude record went down. The excitment of a great flight to come.. I'll never forget watching my son get literally yarded all the way to cloud base just doing S turns in front of launch.... So instead of taking the careful, conservative path being aware of just how strong the day really was, my judgement became clouded by the excitment of what might be.... Whenever I'm preparing to launch on a great looking race day somewhere, I try and force myself to take a 'safety pause' and make sure I'm not being distracted by the excitment of this incredible thing we get to do... A "positive" distraction can be just as effective in clouding your judgement and masking your intuition (check penetration) as a negative one. It's no easy task to pick up on this sometimes...<br /><br />Glad your OK and thanks for the great story!<br />JackJack Brownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01544489734553242819noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20110414.post-4913453274725358822010-01-23T02:49:09.740-10:002010-01-23T02:49:09.740-10:00Thom,
Takes a big man to write up an incident l...Thom, <br /><br />Takes a big man to write up an incident like that. Thanks for your candor and sharing of the mistakes that lead up to it. Every pilot, no matter how long in the air, can learn from this.<br /><br />I have been very luck with two incidents in my flying career that could have resulted in an unhappy ending. Thanks for making me think again about how I fly and to keep the adrenaline in check. I rode the gondola down yesterday from Aiguillie du Midi when the situation was not perfect... your story was in the back of my head and helped to persuade me to make the right decision.<br /><br />Fly on, JonAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20110414.post-90827522175943656812010-01-22T23:09:27.769-10:002010-01-22T23:09:27.769-10:00Mad Dog & Alex have already had a preview, I...Mad Dog & Alex have already had a preview, I got to get back in the saddle and get a picture of the boots.<br /><br />SidehillAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20110414.post-62841415947162432302010-01-22T22:22:03.873-10:002010-01-22T22:22:03.873-10:00Can't wait to see pictures with the classic bo...Can't wait to see pictures with the classic boots in and the words "check penetration"!<br /><br />aloha<br />RayBrazilian Rayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18436342581028804698noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20110414.post-78259185306928489602010-01-22T21:52:38.919-10:002010-01-22T21:52:38.919-10:00NOTE on the toe of each boot. "Check" on...<i>NOTE on the toe of each boot. "Check" on the left "Penetrate" on the right.</i><br /><br />Classic!DaveZhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17500220659578546257noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20110414.post-14500957979080023792010-01-22T11:09:51.317-10:002010-01-22T11:09:51.317-10:00I did have a GPS & a compass and there is a ne...I did have a GPS & a compass and there is a new NOTE on the toe of each boot. "Check" on the left "Penetrate" on the right.Thomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07508629374134042936noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20110414.post-24723959465749023762010-01-22T07:47:31.205-10:002010-01-22T07:47:31.205-10:00Hey Sidehill,
Great flight the day before dude. Ya...Hey Sidehill,<br />Great flight the day before dude. Ya, I would say you have intermediate syndrome. But, what doesn't kill you makes you stronger, or hopefully smarter.<br />Fortunately for me I have NEVER been OTB. So, all I can say is either I'm fatter than you or I just think before I leap more than most.<br />If you launched from Crazy Man's launch, then you know its windy enough to get you airborne from 60' off of the beach. Manic's is just as bad. Why wouldn't you think that it wouldn't get too windy downrange at the flick of a switch. <br />We never went downrange unless we launched from Cactus. Remember your lessons on wind gradients? Venturi's, etc. It all its gets stronger with altitude.<br />Play it safe and think about where your going before you leap into the air. <br /><br />Tis' better to wish you were in the air, than wishing you were on the ground........!<br /><br />Reaper<br />PS Use a GPS!Gravityhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14574997933340807663noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20110414.post-60977178587706322792010-01-21T21:13:55.799-10:002010-01-21T21:13:55.799-10:00Ditto IkeDitto IkeAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20110414.post-51618050506045684392010-01-21T18:10:52.704-10:002010-01-21T18:10:52.704-10:00Great post, we all need to be introspective and cr...Great post, we all need to be introspective and critical of our flying and the decisions we make while in the air. We are not playing a video game and the consequences are real. As you expand your XC flying you should be able to look back on a flight and understand which decisions were good ones and which ones were bad. I often land wishing I made a different decision even tho while flying I made that decision because it was safer than another one, then after the disappointment of landing wears off I can be honest about the decision and again see the reason for it. Every flight has a lesson in it! You may have to look for it but it is there, find it and fly better the next time. I think one of the reasons paragliding is so interesting is that there is SO MUCH TO LEARN.Doughttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01177723804823444250noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20110414.post-75302872722015630542010-01-21T08:45:47.243-10:002010-01-21T08:45:47.243-10:00Glad you're ok! :) Thanks for sharing the stor...Glad you're ok! :) Thanks for sharing the story! I have been over the back twice and it'aint funny! You started your story recommending thinking about it before considering going downrange, I would go even further... consider it before launching! you don't need to be going downrange for it to happen. I've seen a pilot going (immediately) straight from launch to OTB at makapuu, from tomato. Other pilots in the air should not be an indicator of fly-ability: they could be flying heavy in their wings or a faster glider than yours, there are lots of variables! Make sure to find your comfort zone and be cautious when pushing the envelope.<br />For equipment, I also carry dental floss and I'd would recommend having a hook knife handy. Here is the USHPA Recommended emergency procedures outline: ushpa.aero/documents/USHGAEmergencyProcedures.pdf<br /> and here is a good article: http://www.ushpa.aero/article.asp?id=28<br /><br />Also, having your track log turned on on your GPS will allow you to go back to your last saved location (very likely to be right above your head, above the tree canopy line) and also "see" where you started drifting backwards and have an idea where the range is, very useful if you are inside a cloud and can't see it. <br /><br />Flying paragliders is the greatest thing but it can go from a marvelous "natural high" to "mommy!!!" in a split of a second. Conditions are changing all the time but we should always be cautious!<br /><br />Glad you're ok, buddy! I am sure this will make you a better pilot. Looking forward to follow you to an amazing distant safe LZ sometime soon!<br />Aloha<br />Brazilian RayBrazilian Rayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18436342581028804698noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20110414.post-83618290157269434132010-01-21T08:44:19.843-10:002010-01-21T08:44:19.843-10:00VERY glad that your OTB adventure turned out for t...VERY glad that your OTB adventure turned out for the best Thom.<br /><br />Years ago on my very first downrange flight from Makapuu, I found myself checking my GPS for groundspeed frequently as, up to that point in my flying careedr, XC flights had more to do with thermal climbing and gliding than wind and ridge lift.<br /><br />With that information, I was able to keep a safe forward penetration margin and made it to just shy of the Pyramid AND back to Makapuu! <br /><br />As a Senior Paragliding Instructor and Tandem pilot from Canada, my first comment to add is for any aspiring downrange pilot to invest in a GPS or Integrated Vario-GPS. Relying on other pilots and visual cues are important and helpful, but personal bearing and groundspeed information is crucial.<br /><br />My second comment reiterates what Joey mentioned about 'Intermediate Syndrome'. <br />It is all too common for newer pilots to have their passion and excitement get the better of their judgement. <br /><br />You asked for a personal story. Here goes:<br />Over 10 years ago, I was freshly off the plane having lived 'down under' for a year where I got my P2 equivalent. I used to live in the Okanagan Valley of British Columbia (most National and Provincial events are held there) and thought I'd be a para-bum for the summer and fly as many new sites as I could.<br /><br />I hooked up with some hangies who were going to fly a site called Mara and remember being crammed into the back of a truck with sweaty, dirty older dudes who glared at me the entire 3000' vertical drive up to launch. <br /><br />Anyway, it was nice and sunny on launch but we could see a storm one valley over, complete with forked lightning. Wind was good, albeit brisk and I was keen. The hangies didn't make a move to unload their gear but I laid out and took to the air, getting parked soon afterwards. <br /><br />I'd never really used my speed bar before and didn't have a GPS (what was that?). The wind then came howling down the valley and I turned into it and fixated on making the LZ. Minutes passed and I didn't really lose any height nor make any forward progress. NOT fun.<br /><br />Should I have even launched? <br />Obviously not.<br /><br />Did I turn downwind and use my altitude to go find an alternative LZ?<br />Nope. <br /><br />I just parked and prayed and eventually ended up short, crashing down through some trees until finally getting hung up, stopping literally 2 feet above the edge of a river.<br /><br />I was very rattled and wanted to quit the sport I thought had finally become a part of my life. Physically I was completely fine. <br />Luckily.<br /><br />That was a powerful lesson about penetration into wind and, like you Thom, one that I vowed never to forget. <br /><br />My 2 cents,<br />~JaysonJaysonBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00064678493349689519noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20110414.post-50295289368266098022010-01-21T07:37:36.629-10:002010-01-21T07:37:36.629-10:00Thom-
Great story, and a good lesson for any pilot...Thom-<br />Great story, and a good lesson for any pilot to learn from. Glad you came out of it ok!<br />~djzDaveZhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17500220659578546257noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20110414.post-88957325533630315442010-01-20T18:58:38.059-10:002010-01-20T18:58:38.059-10:00This is one story I am really glad to be reading. ...This is one story I am really glad to be reading. It was such a relief hearing that you were down safe. I'm now also going to fly with a spare cell phone battery. That cell phone could be a life saver. I was so happy to hear Alex having a conversation with you on it. Thank God that you were able to walk away and now share your new found wisdom with us all. <br /><br />MDougMauiDoughttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16092802078489755320noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20110414.post-37228802488843838502010-01-20T16:48:38.279-10:002010-01-20T16:48:38.279-10:00The few pics I took on the downrange trip are here...The few pics I took on the downrange trip are here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/34871295@N00/sets/72157623252567514/show/Waianae Jimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15275430122119016694noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20110414.post-78927038102324207112010-01-20T16:28:41.253-10:002010-01-20T16:28:41.253-10:00Thanks for sharing your experience Thom, I'm s...Thanks for sharing your experience Thom, I'm sure it will help me to remind myself to check my conditions surroundings, and available indicators. I had a couple misjudgments myself the same day - first when I launched from Crazies in super light conditions and landed on the rocks below Manics, and again on the downrange flight when I reached Hygienic store area. Up to that point my flight had been non-eventful, the easiest downranger to there for me yet. So I pushed across the Valley a bit farther than I'd ventured before, and got slammed down by some serious sink. I was too low to try to get back across the valley and bench back up to make the jump to the ball field by the store, but lucky enough to make it just short of the Kahalu'u elementary school and land in a farmer named J.C's field riding full speed bar on my Venus II. He was kind enough to let me fold up in his driveway. Then I hiked down the road and met Joey. I too was misfocused, thinking I could at least tie your record flight to Kahana on that day, and was overly aggressive in pursuing that goal.Waianae Jimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15275430122119016694noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20110414.post-66334842286504449392010-01-20T15:57:26.431-10:002010-01-20T15:57:26.431-10:00Thom, thanks for sharing your awesome and yet humb...Thom, thanks for sharing your awesome and yet humbling experience with the rest of us. Lessons learned the hard way like this one are sometimes the best way to open our eyes to complacency or that "intermediate syndrome" that we all experience at some point in our flying careers...so thanks for that unfortunate reminder and the need to heed ALL indicators!<br />As a professional aviator in the Navy, much of our emergency procedures are written in blood, and thankfully yours are not and you are still here to share your thoughts!!<br />Sounds like you have a pretty good grasp on where things started to get away from ya, just take a step back, learn from your mistakes and get back in the saddle :) <br /><br />~ JoeyJoeyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17457897589741512244noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20110414.post-42174420725718801952010-01-20T14:41:10.348-10:002010-01-20T14:41:10.348-10:00Lesson learned, Thom. We've all learned one or...Lesson learned, Thom. We've all learned one or two. But you are better off than many because of your instant introspection and contriteness. There are way too many pilots out there who wouldn't have a clue what went wrong, and they couldn't care less.<br />Extra equipment I carry besides my headlamp: dental floss (to lower down to rescuers to attach rope) and a strobe light.nightshifthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12889428979629264805noreply@blogger.com