Just Too Much Fun!

I’m writing from Immokalee Florida, after a day spent with Don
Ingraham, of Cross Country Soaring http://crosscountrysoaring.com/ ,
working on winch launch training. To describe the first launch, the
phrase ‘mind blowing’ would be suitable, were it not so over-used,
because your mind just cannot process what is happening as fast as it
happens. I think the most aviation fun I’ve had since my first loop
with Roy Couliette many years ago.

Don offers excellent equipment, (winch and G 103), and instruction
that blends patience with enthusiasm. His written material, which is
offered free on his web site (find it under ‘videos +’), is well
organized and illustrated. And his colleague Stan offers interesting
conversation while showing you how the winch works, and retrieving the
cable for the next launch. It turns out that the launch is a
choreographed dance between the driver and the pilot, mostly
rehearsed, and a little different every time, as variables in wind and
pilot technique need compensation at the Corvette engine’s throttle.

Immokalee is 45 min. from Naples, where a non-flying spouse and kids
could enjoy all the stereotypical benefits of Florida, but seems
itself a real low rent contrast. However, a room at the Imokalee Inn
is only $60, and 3 miles from the airport. So, as strongly as I could
encourage you, get your sorry frost-bitten ass down to South West
Florida for two days of fun and instruction. His endorsement program
is a bargain at $600, and I’m getting a BFR thrown into the bargain.
If Don doesn’t wear you out (I had 15 flights today!), you can join
the gliding club on the field for a week at a fee of $100, which
includes glider rental. There is more complete information on Don’s
web page, including a couple of U Tube videos that should convince you
if you are wavering.

A program this good, and this hard to find in North America, deserves
support. But, I promise, you’ll be doing a bigger favor for yourself
than Don.