When I arrived at the AJ Airpark on Saturday afternoon, about 1:30, a pilot I didn't know, with an orange T2, asked me for a hang check. I was struck by his no-B.S. attitude of just getting his needs dealt with. As I was holding the glider's nose down he described having had a harness zipper problem on the flight he'd just had and his current goal was to get his hang loop arrangement adjusted for proper hang height for his next flight, as the glider was new to him. It turns out it was Tom Mayer. He was keyed-up but seemed very competent and we had a good brief discussion about hang height issues. He was a nice guy and came across as just another one of the many serious and capable hang glider pilots I've come to know over the years.
Later, I wasn't watching his aero routine for various reasons, but I saw he and his broken glider spinning down toward the ground and I felt a sickening ache as he got to the point where his parachute wouldn't have helped.
I knew Tom from only a few minutes' conversation that day but I feel I've lost a kinsman. For those that knew him well his tragic loss must be devastating. My heartfelt condolences to Tom's family and friends.
Good Flying,
Ken Howells