My First Solo
After a princess (instructor assisted) launch, I soared
through the air, working out my first basic turns as a soloing beginner... under close scrutiny & radio
supervision. Marc Chirico guided the
top half of my flight that included entering and rising up in my first
thermal. I heard a big whoosh as my
wing gently rocked. I felt myself going
higher.
Never have I worked so hard to make my arms do
nothing. A few radio calls of
"relax your arms" coming into both ears did the trick. I had waited eight years for this moment
since the first time I observed the paragliders circling with hawks over Tiger
Mountain. Now it was my turn, circling
back and forth, working on my turns. It was as much fun as I had hoped.
Finally, Marc had me fly out into the valley and away from
the lift and handed me over to Lan, to radio supervise the bottom half of my
flight for that all important return to earth.
Their plan was to land me before the mass of gliders above me started to
come down and complicate my approach.
Lan expertly guided me through some altitude losing turns
when I realized I had just flown over the high windsock. A switch clicked in my brain that I had just
completed the first leg of my landing approach. I put extra emphasis to perform my final turns according to
instruction, knowing that a call for a 90 degree turn really had to be 90
degrees; lest I end up in the swamp, on a shed, or blooper video.
Lan's calm voice informed me to was time to flare. I brought my arms
down and floated gently onto my feet.
Shouts of "Way to go Chris", and "Nice landing
Chris!" were coming from the LZ (Landing Zone). How did all these people know my name? Then I remembered my name was written on my forehead above the
heart on my chin and "I am awesome”
Marc
Chirico and Chris Ferris
I left my Sharpie face paint on while I went out for drinks
with some fellow paragliders. Most of
the other patrons looked on wondering what my marked face was for. I proudly touted my badge of honor knowing I
was now officially part of the Seattle Paragliding Team.
Thanks again for a great first solo. I can't wait for my next flight off
Tiger.
Sincerely,
Chris Ferris