In the basement sits a Gin Carrera+, its lines swapped over two weeks previous. The conditions that day allowed only for a short kiting session. Inaugural flight is still in the queue.
Today: a sunny Saturday morning with questionable winds - northwest, 15+ kts. A opportunity to head for the training hill @ Diefenbaker Park and try my hand at foot launching in rotor. The recently completed South Fraser Perim Road makes short work of the drive, allowing for a bypass of Burquitlam and New West. All in all, a 40 minute drive in non existent traffic.
Arrive to find the park empty - I gather iPG is none too keen to have students out in this. Wouldn't blame them as the conditions are leaning towards a plucked and dragged sort of day for newbs.
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| 7AM on a summer Saturday, this place is typically filled with students and wings. But not today. |
Setting up on the southern slope facing into the park bowl, I quickly clip in during a lull. A quick duck under to face the wing and a swipe of the brakes.
The rustle of leaves from the trees to the N/W followed by a rapidly building sway in the trees down the road to my right (west) signals an approaching gust. Gloved hands fumble to get at the C's - the risers miniscule width coupled with the new lines frustrate my efforts.
The gust builds, snatching the wing.
Pulling in the C risers, the tail is kept firmly planted. Looks like the new riser design does the job.
I use the dying wind to work the wing quickly into a wall and let it settle back onto the ground.
And wait...
And wait...
Another gust begins, but more west. There is enough to bring the wing up, turn, and run more or less across slope.
And wack!
The left tip falls victim to the rotor being formed off of the trees backstopping the main slope of the hill.
Kill the wing, ball it up, trudge back up.
A trio of attempts follow before calling it a day. I have one question answered - can I ground handle (thus launch) it in strong conditions?
Yes.
But how will it handle in light to nil conditions?
A question that will have to wait for the FlyBC training hill tomorrow morning.
Video of the First Flight on the Gin Carrera Plus
