It's an Apco Vista II SP. Not the most current model but more contemporary then my trusty old Edels.
It's a 3 liner and more performance oriented than anything I've had before.
Wind was easterly and seemed OK if a little light so I went to have a look at Strezzie. No-one was flying anywhere so I went to Empire Park to have a look at the wing and see how it ground handles.
Spent about 30 minutes sorting out some twisted lines then kited the wind for about 3 minutes.
Thing flies up like a rocket but handles like a docile thing that is easy to handle. Whatever that is.
Packed glider up and drove up to Strezzie to have a look. Heckle and Jekyll were there (Cottsy and Waynus) contemplating the conditions and Mick The Club Treasurer had just taken off. Mick was seemingly maintaining height and the wind was coming on more perpendicular and gaining strength.
I decided to give the wing its maiden voyage and rolled it out. Mick top landed to have a chat and provide an update on the conditions. Things looked more finer than before so I clipped in and popped up the glider. The wing shot up a like a rocket again and flew as sweet as a bird. A sweet sweet bird.
I gained more height than I've ever done and the wing is as stable as a rock. The hands up speed is phenomenal. This thing moves fast. FARRRST! I was making my turns rather gingerly but next time I'll be a little more aggressive on the brakes to see how it moves about.
Mick and I flapped around by ourselves while about 4 hangies set up their wings. It was going to get crowded soon so I resolved to land once the hangliders got airborne.
I narkled about for about 90 minutes when C and W launched their hangies. It was excellent but enough's enough so I headed down to the park where I suffered my ESI (extreme sports injury) a few weeks ago (see previous blog).
Had bags of height coming over the park but came in fine. Landed on my feet and not my head this time. Far better option in my opinion.
90 minute flight all up. Hurrah!
