Incident at the Nuthouse

From: Benson
Activity_Date: 3.18.01
Remote Name: 207.113.55.173

Comments

Art, Brendon, Spin Doctor, Sundowner, Philip and I met at Nordhoff HS to do the hike up. Brendon launched first, perhaps a little early; I believe he now has the record for the longest flight below launch. Sundowner was next and when he didn't get up on his first pull we knew we were in for some fun at launch. Art was next and got right up, but he had some trouble keeping the glider where he wanted it…we were watching SD fight for pitch control when Art took a sizeable collapse above launch. Ron (aka Spin Doctor) was on launch next wondering if this was the right day to try a DHV 2 glider.

Ron had a clean launch, the first pilot to get off in one pull, but we all realized very quickly that something was wrong. He was gaining Altitude, flying away from launch, looking right at us. He had hooked in backwards…YIKES!!!!!!! We all watched until he was on the ground. The view from his harness must have been exciting. He finally deployed and was on the road by the time I got back to the Nut House. Ron reports flying backwards is tricky.

John was on launch when we got there and Tom P. arrived just before I launched. We all got up and made it to Spine One, I tried to get across to the Nordhoff range twice from 3700, but there was too much sink. I made a nice glide to the HS as did john and Philip, Tom P. landed near 33, and the last I heard from SD he was W of Divide peak, chances are he made it to SB. Until today I haven't had good flights at the Nut House, todays flight was great fun.