Matt's Blog - aka DarwinsTheory

Lots has happened but I've kinda been self concious about posting and of course when your focused on that then thats all you can think about. Short version of things is that I had some health challenges which are now sorted and as a side benefit I've lost around 55Kg...!

I decided to reward myself with a lesson in paragliding and of course got hooked... lol

So, told you I was self concious about it, so lets just move along...

So I completed my training course back in November and bought all the gear and finally got signed off in February.

Today was my first day as a restricted pilot (means I don't have an instructor in my ear, but I do need a safety officer observing me.) and it went GREAT....!

One of the popular flying sites is Lake George and whilst the conditions weren't the best a group of us decided to head out and have a go anyway. Got to Geary's and it wasn't happening, so the call was made to head up the ridge to Collector. It's a GREAT launch nice big top, plenty of space, can handle wind on a fair arc.. Huuuuuge landing paddock even a newbie would have trouble stuffing up .. lol

So my first two flights where “sleedies” basically a ride straight down the hill to the landing paddock.. which for a newbie is still fun. But my final flight was MAGIC...!!! Some of the senior guys gave me a bunch of advice regarding timing the take off so you launch into the start of a big thermal.. and well.. dang it worked... I went straight up to 1,000M...!

I lost height a few times and worked back up to 1,200M before I was finally unable to keep aloft and came back in for a landing... My first REAL flight and an airtime of 45 minutes...!!!

Wooo hoooo.

Matt

PS Now if I can just get rid of this darn flu I'd be a REALLY happy camper.