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#21
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Chip,
I see your point, but not really......We get people who come to BT who say they have "ridge experience" but we we take them on the ridge, they don't have a clue. Because they never really flew a "real" ridge. I guess there is something to be said about starting out easy........but at BT the "local" ridge is a "pussy" ridge. You can learn what you need to know, and not get in any trouble at all. Once you are ready for more, then you can get more advanced and learn gap crossings etc. Sure we don't go too far north, because the ridge doesn't go there! (we are at the end of the line) With a couple of thermals, you can head north to more ridge, but what's the point when you can sure go south! I always say that ridge flying is "deceptively simple".....when it works it is a no brainer....just point and go! Learning to fly ridge is all about knowing what to do when things don't go well. Learing to thermal out when you are below ridge top, how to cross gaps and transitions, how to read changes in conditions during the day. Anybody can fly on a "pussy" ridge and soon get a false sense of confidence. It's like when people say you can't really learn to fly in a 2-33 because it doesn't spin well. Learning on an "easy" ridge doesn't really do the job. Cookie[/quote] POINT ME TO THE ''PUSSY'' RIDGE. Walt |
#22
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Walt |
#23
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Ridge Soaring?
Amen brother!
I've only had wonderful experiences in France. Of course just like in the US you have to look past the occasional snob/red neck. Bob |
#24
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Ridge Soaring?
On Feb 2, 6:18*am, Bob wrote:
Amen brother! I've only had wonderful experiences in France. Of course just like in the US you have to look past the occasional snob/red neck. Bob One of my glider student pilots has the good fortune to be able to travel the world on a fairly regular basis. He flies gliders wherever and whenever he can. So he's flown at most of the "famous" places in the US and several in outher countries. Last year he flew in France. He says it was the greatest experience he's ever had. Both the area, and the pilots were "the best". He's headed back there this year too. Once you have somthing in common with somebody else......like soaring....all of the petty bulls--t is quickly forgotten. Mutual respect and friendship comes easy. Cookie |
#25
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Walt |
#26
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Red Neck? Guidos? Hicks? Good ol boys? The French have their own version as does every society, they just give them different names. For the record I speak fluent red neck, cracker and cowboy. If you ever find yourself landing out in Central Florida and encountering an irate one of the above mentioned I suggest you call me. Remember, "ya'll" is singular, "all ya'll" is plural. Walt |
#27
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Walt |
#28
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Ridge Soaring?
At 19:19 02 February 2011, Walt Connelly wrote:
Apparently you did not see the humor in my post? However I must admit that my experience in France was not quite as was yours. I met a few nice people but for the most part I was amazed at the snobbery. Well, I at least got a chuckle out of your original effort. OTOH, I visited friends in Europe in October of 2011, while the pile of rubble in downtown NYC was still smoking. The airport in Paris (or maybe it was the train station) was the only place where someone went out of their way to mock me for being an American, and laughed because the WTC was no more. Jim Beckman |
#29
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Ridge Soaring?
I second the advice to go to France and fly at St. Auban. Very good
instructors. A fleet of sailplanes that can't be beat. Ridge soaring for just about any wind. Most people speak pretty good english. The costs are very reasonable. I have been to St. Auban five times. Most days begin with thermals on the ridges. As the surrounding mountains heat up and the local winds pick up you fly the bulk of the day in mixed thermals and ridge soaring. At the end of most days it is was primarily ridge soaring. Actually, many of the ridges are limestone cliffs. It is great fun at many locations to cruise the length of the ridge gaining altitude until you top out at one end of the ridge. Then you do a 180, pull the airbrakes and blow off all of your altitude as you run to the other end of the ridge. Then you close the airbrakes, turn back into the face of the ridge and scream back along the face gaining altitude at 100kts. Then do it again. One day you do it in a Janus, the next in a Discus 2, then an LS-8, then a Nimbus, then an LS-4, then an ASW-24, and so on. How can you get bored? That's my vote. Guy |
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