one year ago i got into tandemflying, thanks to a bunch of friends and strangers who helped me crowdfund part of the equipment. this is a recap of the first year and a big thank you!
now let’s have a look in my logbook…
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11.06.2020 cordoama, 1 flight, 2min
20-40 forecast
first takeoff with the tandem, i was nervous almost like when i did my first flight! we go down immediately. i’m happy that all worked out and a bit worried that we didn’t manage to stay up longer.. and the landing! suuuper fast, horizontally. and this wing glides super well, i’ll have to remember that on my landing approaches. we both didn’t make it into the harnesses. maiden tandem flight! 🙂
12.06.2020 cordoama, 2 flights, 2 hours
20-34 forecast
the first flight a sledder, without help. pulled us back alot during inflation, but once the glider was up we could walk forward again. beforehand we hung up the harnesses in a tree to figure out how to get seated once we’re airborne.. works! 🙂
2nd flight, strong wind oh my gosh! another pilot whom i trust says he’ll help us and so i settle for yes, we launch. at a wind speed when i probably wouldn’t launch solo anymore.. i forgot to put on my gloves during launch preparation, jesus that was exciting to put on gloves in flight – with one hand while the other holds both brakes. this wing really glides super well [compared to what wings i knew] – coming back from barriga we arrive as high or higher than miradouro. and the landings, maybe i’ll have to wrap or something, in nil wind i can’t pull as strong as i should. [one year later i can] with some wind it’s alright, then i don’t need to pull so much. landed on our feet we did 🙂
pitch is alot of fun!! and susana [the passenger] screams and i wonder how far can i go, yet i think there’s way to go. we saw cabo de s. vicente, how amazing was that panorama! we overtook nelson’s tandem, both of us at trim speed. we overtook a cayenne 🙂
soo nice this flight, i enjoyed it alot and didn’t want to go land in ages, to get as much of it as i can. luckily my passenger felt the same! what an amazing flight. :-))
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52 weeks, 59 flights with 44 passengers. twice i hurt my bum, no passenger got hurt. (had i had a regular harness with protection i wouldn’t have hurt my bum.) sometimes i had tears in my eyes after landing. tears of joy and of being face to face with the immense gratitude of some passengers (for most of whom it was their first time paragliding). this stuff releases intense feelings and that may be a reason why flying is so addictive to some pilots..
speaking of which; i have felt and will feel very very grateful for the people who helped during most of the takeoffs! down to the point of tears in my eyes when i’d write logbook in the evening. flying is a passion for me and a huge pleasure to be able to share that with friends and strangers. for me to get airborne with a passenger i almost always need help of one or two who can pull like an ox. i’m grateful for having met so many! who helped me +1 to get to that place of wonder, to get into the skies.
recap +/-
+ flying a big solo glider with two (light) people works fine for soaring by the coast (so long the pilot can reach the brakes or never lets them go!!)
– speedbar of course won’t work or has to be figured out how
+ i never missed the speedbar actually
* stronger wind than for solo flying is needed
* one or two launch-helpers are a must
+ being 40kg over the recommendation works,
– but somewhere there is my momentary limit. the handling does become more heavy, sluggish, alike a heavily loaded car
– means there is a wheight restriction, i can’t or won’t fly this glider with any passenger
-> so what’s next?
+ more of the same!
+ go tandem in mountains
+ launch another crowdfunding campaign or find other legal means to access what’s required for that:
+ reserve parachute
+ pilot harness with protection
+ maybe a larger (proper tandem) glider
below is a photo-gallery of some of the fun:
