Saturday, October 4, 2008 morning flight...

I'm happy to share that we finally got back up in the air last Saturday. Believe it or not, it had been over a month since we'd last flown. Bad weather, wind conditions, obligations and our trips to Tennessee and Pennsylvania for my pilot's check flights kept us from it. Now that I'm flying again, I know the longer we go in between flights, the more I have to battle my fear as my pilot takes our Powered Parachute full throttle when we take to the air. Fortunately, conditions were perfect and no more time had passed. Otherwise, my knees would have been shaking! Our take off went smoothly, but our EGT (Exhaust - Gas - Temperature) readings were spiking beyond my pilot's comfort zone. As such, we kept our flight short and stayed within close range of the airport. That certainly didn't stop me from taking pictures. Ha! I probably took more than ever!

It was a beautiful Fall morning. The sky was clear blue, but it was hazy across the landscape. You'll see from my photos that summer is over, but here in the Sandhills of NC, with so many tall Long Leaf Pine trees, one doesn't see the abundant autumn colors as is common in much of the rest of the state. Or, in any state I've lived in for that matter. Here, the heat loving Centepede, Bermuda, and Zoysia grasses reflect the first touches of fall by dying out. Our green grassy strip at the airport had turned various shades of brown, tan and gray and much like straw in our absence. Now the air was fall like -- crisp, chilly and fresh. In fact, chilly enough for me to finally test out the custom made flight suit my pilot gave to me Christmas before last. What a long time coming! You see, that was the same week the seizures began to manifest and I'd grounded myself. Good thing I maintain my weight so it still fit! Good thing it kept me toasty, too!

It's time for you to...

come see

Be sure to stay tuned for my next post -- we flew again in the evening, so you know I've more pictures to share...
 

Saturday, October 4, 2008 evening flight...

We were still having EGT issues, so again maintained in close range of the airport. We spent about an hour up there -- long enough to catch the sunset, thankfully!
Again, I took lots of photos, and caught some true Fall colors, but the shots I took on the ground as dusk turned into night were my fave this time. Can't wait until I really learn how to take pictures... I want to give the beauty I see it's justice.

come see

Check flight one down... one more to go!

I'm happy to report that my pilot passed his FAA written exam week before last to obtain his Powered Parachute Sport Pilot License. It's a three step process. First, there's the written exam. Then, there are two separate check flights he must take with FAA examiners, specifically, Powered Parachute Certified Flight Instructors. What's a bit of a pain is that there are only 17 such CFIs across the country who can perform the check flights. And, the FAA requires that the check flights must be taken with two different CFIs. This is a pretty recent thing for the FAA, I believe it was January 2007 when they began requiring licensing for "two-seater" Powered Parachute Sport Pilots. So, it goes without saying that there aren't enough CFIs in place to handle the check flight examining conveniently. Because travel is involved to work it out is a complicated thing for us. After the first check flight is taken, the FAA only allows 60 days for the second one to be completed, so the clock is ticking! Needless to say, we're committed to making it happen.

This past Monday we drove to Morristown, TN and back again for my pilot to take his first check flight. It was a LONG LONG day, let me tell you! I'd been sick as a dog with some cold bug the week before and hadn't quite turned the corner as much as I would have liked. We had both Chance and Sydney in tow, which means we had to stop frequently for doggy potty breaks. Then, as much as I love the mountains, driving through them always makes me a little antsy. Cutting through the gorge from NC to TN the Smokies proved to be no different. The road construction surely didn't help. And, my pilot was beyond tense on the way there! It was beaming out from him from everywhere! Understandably, though. Although, he was utterly and completely prepared, psyched, ready... you name it! He was concerned about flying someone else's machine. He was concerned he might not pass. Plus, this is something he's wanted for such a long time. It's his passion, and he's been more than behind in his goal to achieve it. So he was HYPED!

(It hurts me to say this, but the reason he's behind is because he's had to put me first for the longest time now. For him, that's not a big deal though, God just pre-wired him to put his needs and desires last. Rarely, does he ever think about them. When my life changed, his life changed. He's never ever complained. He does all he can to help me. The "for better or worse" thing became reality in motion when Epilepsy hit me, it hit him, too! God knew we'd hook up and He knew I'd need someone patient. Make that... extremely patient! Like I said in my bio, I'm strong willed and minded. A family trait. Good thing God and I are working on my Project Rewire. Trust me. My pilot needs a break! Although, he'll never ever admit to it.)

Well, the big day finally came! Check flight number one was passed with flying colors! Yay!

Of course, since it's us, there just has to be a story. That's a trend from my side of the family... there is ALWAYS a story! In fact, any of my family members that may read this are shaking their heads right about now, going "yep! there ALWAYS is!!" Truly, it's the norm for us!

The skies at the little Morristown Airport were simply incredible. Being nestled in the mountains just added to their beauty. The setting reminded me much of my years in Seattle. Yep! It was that gorgeous! In fact, that was where I saw my first ultralight close up, my cousin was considering getting into the sport. It was so long ago, but I can still see those awesome little machines in my mind as if it was yesterday. I remember wondering to myself if I'd ever be able to get the nerve up to fly in one one day! Ummmm "x" amount of years later, I surely did! Wow! Anyway... as soon as they took to the air it began thundering and lightening. There had been a big gray cloud directly west of the airport before they took off and it had floated in closer. It just kind of hung out there. It was raining off to the west in the distance, too. But, not at the airport. I could literally see it falling. To the east the sky was blue with gorgeous fluffies, as I tend to call them. My pilot and the CFI were in the midst of a little "required" cross country trip flying east, so they didn't see any of the storm activity. They had helmets and headsets on, so I knew they'd never hear the thunder. I was hoping the airport would radio them, as the CFI obviously was a regular there. But, no such luck. Chance and I surely heard the thunder and saw the lightening. He's terrified of storms and jumped out of our car window onto the grassy airstrip to duck under the CFIs trailer. He's a runner, so that terrified me. Literally, I had to dive for his leash and thank heavens, I was able to catch it with my foot. Finally, my pilot saw a lightening bolt and booked it to the airport. Like an hour and a half later!! I took some acceptable shots of them in the air, but I had such fun snapping pics of the sky and trying catch a shot of a lightening bolt. Call me crazy! Thunder and lightening don't scare me, they magnetize me! I just have to watch!

Need I say we were both so relieved it was over! He was himself again on the trip home. I'd like to say I was, but boy did we go through some heavy rain! I'm always antsy in rain, too. But, we made it. It took the four of us about an hour to wind down before we could settle. So, we were up to 3:00 a.m. when sleep came -- we were crashed out!

I've put a slide show together of the photos I took, so as usual... just click the come see link below. Now, these were taken in order, so you can see how the skies appeared all around me. I adore the way the sun rays came through on some of my shots. I've got to say... there's just something about these small airports -- I LOVE! Had I known, I'd have been hanging out at them way before now!

Oh! If all turns out as planned, we'll be heading to PA this Wednesday for my pilot to take his second check flight. Fortunately, my sister and niece live right down the road from this CFI, so we'll be able to get some visiting and good eating in! Sydney and Chance will be accompanying us, of course. I've got to show my little girl off, and she'll get to meet my sister's two Maltese boys, her new cousins, Amos and Andy. It's going to be a trip, I tell ya!

Okay... it's now time for you to...

come see

Jeanne to pilot... Hey, are we going down????

First, let me say... Yay! They cut the grass on the grassy runway!

We had a really quick flight last Tuesday evening, August 19th. Like up for a few and right back down! When we took to the air our windsock was nearly flat. Perfect! And our radio, which we always have dialed into our airport's AWOS broadcast before we take off, indicated the winds were blowing around 3 mph. Couldn't be better for ppc-ing! However, winds are unpredictable. On the ground they can be barely blowing, and just a few hundred feet up, if that, they can be entirely different. Thermals, air density, all kinds of things can factor in.


Our take off was great! I even had my eyes open the entire time this go 'round!! And, on our way up I was able to lean down low to the left behind my foot as far as my harness would allow me, and dangle my camera to snap a few shots. Of course, I'm not looking through the viewfinder. I did it kind of freehanded, not knowing what my camera was seeing. Just hoping it was picking up something good! And, not distorted or blurred. By the way, it's always strapped around my neck -- cameras flying into props DO NOT mix! Anything flying into props is bad news! Well, in no time (at 800 feet) we discovered that the air wasn't smooth at all. Not one bit! We tested it at a few different altitudes, but I told my pilot through my headset... "I don't like this -- AT ALL!" while death gripping the back of his seat. He told me he didn't like it either.


Hmmmm... soooooo, it wasn't just a "me getting adjusted" thing. That got my attention, as if my attention needed to be gotten! A few moments later he radioed to me that we were going down. I thought for a sec or two, looked above and below, then radioed back, "are you telling me we're about to crash? You need to be specific when you tell me stuff up here! Okay!!!" I was almost sure everything was fine, but I wanted to be sure of my sureness.


Obviously, my pilot is going to have to adjust to having a back seat driver again. ;)

Once on the ground again I was happy. I was happy we flew, too -- even though it was a brief up and back trip. From the ground, I took a few shots of our friend in flight. He came down shortly after us and agreed it was rough up there. He thought at first he was running into our prop wash. It wasn't so though.

A flock of geese popped by out of the blue. Literally, I had to dash for my camera... I caught a few shots, but barely! And...

the sunset was magnificient...

our God and his paint brush, again...

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

God knows pink gets my attention, it worked with the Crocs shoes He picked out for me and had waiting for me at Dicks. The shoes that started all of this! So, I'm taking every bit of the pink clouds, pink skies, pink sunsets as confirmation that I'm doing what God wants me to do... as well as the scripture a friend here posted to me. I do not believe at all that He afficts people, but I do believe he can use our afflictions. First to bring us closer to Him, second to give us a testimony... He's working on my testimony. Until now, I had no idea I had one. Even though, I've truly been through some difficult circumstances in my life... I see a glimpse out of the corner of my eye, that He has a plan for me.


I've put together a slide show of our evening. You're welcome to...

come see

Forgive the blur on the lower righthand side of a few of the pictures, there was something on my lens.

More on my castles in the sky!

In our sport, the saying goes "there's always another day to fly". True, it's a disappointment if we don't get up. But, it's fine. It's the safe choice. I'm keen on using common sense, and fortunately, my pilot is, too. So, we have no "do we or don't we" issues. We don't take risks. We do spend a great deal of time on the ground just waiting for the winds to lay. I'm finding I'm enjoying that time, almost as much as being in the air. It's helping me with my project. Conditions at our little airport are always perfect for sky watching. Especially so on the grassy runway where we hang out.

It's quiet. It's peaceful. It's healthy. Again, good for my project. But, now that I'm into this picture taking stuff, I'm accumulating ground time shots... progressions of what I see while I'm there. Whatever is going on overhead. Whatever we're doing on the ground in preparation.


You get the picture, yes? Just in case you don't, as I mentioned earlier, I was watching what I call castles develop in the sky the other evening. So, you know I had to put together a slide show, so you can see, too.


Just like before you need only click "come see" to join me...

come see


I hope you see the beauty in the sky as I do...

Saturday evening, August 9th...

was glorious!

You gotta come see... but, before you do!

I've determined that whenever I take photos UP THERE, I want whomever sees them to really be able to experience the sport of powered parachuting as close as one can to the real thing. From the pre-flight on the ground stuff to up in the air. I want them to feel as if they're in the back seat with me. See everything I see, the *way* I see it. Including the progressions. It's hard to beat sunrises or sunsets and the scenic views, but I adore including pieces of the aircraft to give unique perspectives. The reflective surfaces; the incredible parachute lines. You know what? Each one of those tiny lines will carry 1,000 lbs.

God keeps us up there, no doubt about it. But! Each part of our PPC has a key function. Like the thick black Kevlar riser lines & yellow steering lines play a BIG role that you'll see at the beginning. So, some shots may look out of focus, and may be. I'm still just learning. But, often I'm focusing on something entirely different than one normally would. I respect every part of our PPC and its CRITICAL function. I like taking shots of shadows, too. So, when you see one, it's deliberate.

And, one more thing... when you come across shots of the yellow machine with the rainbow chute of our friends, remember we're flying at different altitudes and different air speeds. When they're my subject, some blurriness may not be intentional.

To give you a good ride, the full effect, I'm linking this album as a slide show rather than embedding...

Okay, enough with the over explanation(s)...

It's time for you to CLICK my "come see" link just below... if ya don't you'll really be missing something!

come see

There will be more catching upping needed re. Project Rewire, no doubt about it. However, from this point forward, I'll be posting in the "now". Yay! I barely know what day it is sometimes as it is. :)