Fun
In Reno
(continued
from page 4)
In talking with Mike Rielage back home about the way I felt, he smiled
and said it sounded like hypoxia. Considering the 11,000 foot altitude
difference, that was probably it. On the way through the higher elevations
near Tahoe the next day Marlene and I both had the same feeling. I'm sure
when I retire out there I'll get acclimated.
All in all, I'd highly recommend getting a ride if any of you visit out
in the Reno area. There are a number of possible sites, and the view is
awesome!
- Ken Harry
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Return
To Kitty Hawk - A Personal Experience
When I first heard of the suggestion to organize this event my reaction
was mild fear. Maybe they would limit the entries to "qualified" pilots,
and that might preclude me! Without hesitation I mailed the organizers
and sent a check as proof of my desire to enter. For years I had dreamed
of participating in an event like this - similar to the "Smirnoff Derby"
of the 1970's. A coast to coast race, and the opportunity to land at Kitty
Hawk on the 4th of July in the 100th anniversary year of powered flight.
The preparation for such a marathon soaring adventure is not insubstantial and I estimated that I spent more than a hundred hours in preparation for it, time that definitely paid off. I re-read every one of the accounts of the Smirnoff Derby races and summarized everything: The conditions experienced. The courses flown. The areas that provided the toughest challenges. The speeds achieved. I noted every comment I thought would add to my understanding of what I might encounter on those same tasks. I prepared maps of the courses. Made up my own electronic data bases for each leg - changing these every time the organizers decided to change plans as the weeks wore on! Accommodations had to be made. I wrote to friends who flew in different areas along the course to seek comment and advice on local conditions - another effort that really paid dividends.
Not least of all, having decided to fly in the 18m configuration I set about accumulating some significant time in the Ventus 2 C in that configuration before the event. This I considered essential, and to push myself I set some personal goals. A 500km out and return was one I set and achieved out of Terry airport the month before. In short I managed to accumulate more than 4000 km of cross country flying in the 3 months preceding the race. The only regret I had was that I had understood the event would be "dry", so I never flew with water ballast. Would you believe it, the plans changed and the western pilots prevailed in a rules change to allow ballast the week before the event started. I really wished I had flown with a full load of ballast a few times before the first race days out west. My first contest day was the first day with ballast in a year or more and the scores showed it!
(continued on page 6)