Springtime Flying in Hearne (click on the links in blue to view photos)

Conditions were beautiful this past weekend, with warm temperatures and mild winds on Sat. allowing for lots of flying and some excellent training. The winds were light on Sat. with a SE direction. The inversion was at about 2500' and the lift was light. The morning started out with Lynn Ludden, from Austin, flying her brand new Airborne Edge with Steve. Her new trike has the 582 engine, 4-blade Brogla prop and the Wizard II wing. Needless to say Lynn is very happy with her new toy. Her husband Scott Johnson played a big part in setting up the new trike and after watching his wife fly decided to start instruction for himself. He and Steve flew for about an hour with Scott in the front seat. He did great! Jackie Yount, Martin Mitter, Dan Bereczki and Hawker John (formerly John the Bomb) all took a couple of tows starting around 2 pm. Dan's first flight found some lift at the center of the airport where he maintained about 2500' for awhile. Martin found some nice lift just west of the airport and at one point looked like he was going to head down FM 485 (he was almost to the Brazos River!). After Burnzie towed John up the second time he headed out west to see if he could find Martin, but Martin had already eeked back towards the airport and was able to make a perfect landing close to the setup area. I think Martin enjoys keeping us guessing about whether he's about to land or take off XC. I've seen him setting up on final several times, then moments later look up and see him back at altitude.

About 5 pm we got started with our tandems. Steve and Gregg Ludwig did a tandem together to check out our new WW tandem glider with the Rascal wheels from Brad Kershner. After determining that the glider was ready to go Gregg proceeded to provide 9 tandems during the remainder of the day. Ian Barclay, a Scottish pilot who just recently moved into the Dallas area was able to get his AT sign-off. Check out Ian about to make his first solo launch. Kari Yeamans took a discovery flight to see what her husband Gabe was getting into. Gabe was able to get 3 tandems to begin his hang gliding instruction. Paul Johnson, from McDade, was also able to get in 3 tandems as the day ended. The day actually ended with Burnzie test flying his new trike that he recently finished building. The trike has a solo climb rate of 2000 fpm. It was like watching a rocket go up so we named it the "turbo trike"! We all enjoyed some cold beverages and chips and dip, provided by Lou Ann Ludwig (Gregg's wife), before going for Mexican food. Lou Ann went all out to give us some "trailer trash" ambiance with their brand new Airstream travel trailer which included fake plants by the front steps, decorative palm tree lights and a neon pink flamingo (no trailer porch should be without one!).

Sunday morning began with more tandems with Paul Johnson. He and Gregg were able to get in 3 tandems before the morning conditions picked up. The winds on Sun. were a bit stronger than Sat. Dan and John both took a tow and decided one was enough. We waited out the remainder of the day....enjoying Lou Ann's front porch again. The winds finally calmed down just before sunset and Gregg and Paul finished up the day with more instruction. It was a fun and productive weekend. We're ready for more!