SAFA Skysailor Magazine

9 January | February 2024 SKY SAILOR left. Where is the tug? Heading to the moon! Trying to be smooth I shake the bar up to the tug, but now we’re left outside the turn and zooming up as we waterski the outside of the turn. “I HAVE CONTROL,” Pete yells and gets us neatly behind the tug, its wheels skimming the horizon with the inside wheel halfway along the right tail plane, textbook. “If you keep the turn right the height will be easier, have another go. YOU HAVE CONTROL.” I HAVE CONTROL! We continue like this, with me wobbling behind the tug till I get too out of shape, Pete corrects it, before I wobble on. When we get the signal to release from the tug, Pete does that. The Malibu shoots up a bit, slows, turns quiet, we’re back flying a hang glider. I look around as Pete asks where the airfield is, I point. The landing on the wheels is easy, no need to time the flare. We land and I crew for Robbo’s first flight after a short debrief. I watch the flight, wondering if I’ll pass this course. Soon, my turn for my second flight, still fishing around behind the tug, but Pete doesn’t take control till after we release from the tow. On landing, he twists in his harness looks at me and asks, “Do you want to do one yourself?” I hesitate, but Pete trains rank beginners to fly hang gliders by aerotowing. Surely, I can do this after over three years of flying? Yes! Going solo I’m hooked in and get set, make the ‘Go now’ triple call and off the tug roars. A quick glance at the release loop hooked in my fingers – I’m off if this goes wrong! Embarassing cross control while ground flying Just off the trolley Above the Loxley airfield, club house and hangars The moment of release All photos: Andrew Berenyi