Round two of SIV.
After a quick warm up flight last night with the new group (B-lines, Big Ears and Big, Big Ears), it's time to jump back in the saddle and continue with stalls this morning.
Launch was clouded in after yet another two days of stormy weather, saturated ground meets warm sun, and the queue amongst the various schools is rather backlogged.
Clearings begin to take shape as the moisture finally evaporates away, allowing pilots to begin launching.
My turn comes, next to last in our group. I wanted more time to mentally rehearse the flight to come and allow the back log to clear, making for less traffic while landing.
Yet another forward launch (the SIV has given a wonderful opportunity to practice forwards, though I will need to invest time kiting to get back up to speed on reverses) and I am off. A decreased degree of nervousness this time around flying out to face the stall demon.
Crabbing the wing out to our practice area, the radio pipes up, "Mark, make yourself tight in the harness and..."
"...Stall it."
Not slowing the wing, I jam the brakes to the point of resistance and force them through to arm lock.
Falling back.
Left side drops and I fall into it.
Sudden jerk in the brakes.
Resist.
Getting ready to release and check the dive...
"...and release."
Hands up smoothly, wing surges, momentary slackness felt in the lines, brake the dive, flying smooth and straight.
'Check', another stall down.
"Mark, You have two cravattes."
TWO? SONNUVA...!
"The left is the larger, start with pumping it out."
Looking up, it is clear both wing tips are trapped in the lines, rather than around the front. Pumping had no effect.
Reaching for the green stabilo line...
"Try your stabilizer."
Tug, tug, tug.
More brake pumps, nothing.
"Try pulling outer A."
Pull in an ear, let it out, nothing.
I notice that I am facing away from shore. A slow weight shift right and I turn back towards the lz.
Right hand through toggle and I hand over hand the stabilo, working most of it clear.
"Ok, now the right side."
Same procedure, similar results.
A final handful of deep brake pumps on both sides and the Delta 2 was back to being a proper wing.
Needless to say the wingovers and landing approach were nothing to write home about. The wing felt a little twitchy coming in and I wasn't entirely sure if it was due to line/rod damage or adrenaline. A quick inspection that cost me the next flight showed no immediately visible issues.
It is clear that mental fatigue is beginning to set in after so much flying in such a short period of time. I will likely need to ease off to two flights a day until the SIV is complete.
But the stalls will continue, as the show must go on.
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