I am going public

Tomorrow signifies the beginning of a publicity campaign to generate awareness for my hang glider challenge. One of the aims of my challenge is to encourage people to pursue their dreams, in particular people from an Afro-Caribbean background.

I'm also looking to get so publicity so that I can tempt potential sponsors, and possibly get a TV documentary made of the challenge.

Hang gliding training week!

I had so much been looking forward getting some hang glider training done during the week beginning August 22, 2005, as the weather hadn't been too bad the last couple of days, and with 5 days booked off work at least I should be able to have 3 days of free flying and I had the Bank holiday weekend from which I could steal a day or two if needed to complete my hang glider club pilot rating. Well it all turned out to be a dream. I did not get to make a single trip to Norfolk, it was either rain or the wind that put paid to all my hang gliding plans.

I'm totally devastated, the only option left for me is to bite the bullet and take a week off and go to Spain to finish off what I started there. I will see how things go the next couple of days, and then make up my mind on the next course of action.

Ground Hog day?

Haven't I been here before? I've been looking forward to a day of flying, the weather forecast the previous day had been looking good, and I went to bed dreaming of me flying high in the sky.

I wake up and after having a shower, check the weather forecast and it does not look good. I get a call from Rona who advises that it's raining in Norfolk and the forecast doesn't look good for the rest of the day, so all hang glider training is completely off for the day. I tell her that I'll be getting up 5am tomorrow morning, so I can joining them in Norfolk at 7:30am on Thursday morning. She advises that if it is not raining when I get up, then I should proceed with the journey, that settled, I stay at home do some reading and spend time with the family.

A Blessing

Yesterday's cancellation was a blessing in disguise, as the weather turned out later in the day to be unsuitable, and I would have had to do a 4hr round trip all for nothing.

Today is good, and the forecast for the rest of the week is also looking favourable so I'm looking forward to getting back in the air.

A False start

Due to some problems at Lejair, I will not be joining them for training today. I have an appointment at the hospital tomorrow Tuesday, so training starts in earnest on Wednesday. I've got 3 days to see what can be achieved, with the Saturday set aside as a contingency day.

Good News

Well here is some good hang gliding news, unfortunately it's not about me.

I recently heard from the two people that were on the hang gliding training course with me in Spain.

Tony who got his CP while I was there, has now had about 6 hours of post CP flying experience in the UK and is loving every moment of it, he has invited me down to his neck of the woods for a flight from a site well suited to beginners, so that would be something to look forward to when I qualify.

Paul standing next to Tony has now bought an Avian Rio Hang Glider, had a few flights from Airways Air Sports and is also gaining experience, despite the UK weather.

The other news is that the CAA has now made an amendment to the ANO Article 129 thus reclassifying Foot Launched Powered Aircraft to Self Propelled Hang Gliders. The change takes effect from the 20th of August 2005.

Short break in Hang Glider training

There will be a short delay in updates to my hang glider diary, as I don't have anything scheduled until my visit to Lejair School of Hang Gliding on Monday 22nd August.

In the meantime I will be revising my theory knowledge by going through the Hang Glider Pilot's Handbook published by the BHPA.

If you have any questions leave a comment or email me via my hang glider website.

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