Annual Edenvale Flight

We had pretty decent weather on Saturday, which was great as it was the annual Edenvale Gathering Of The Classics.  I have been to the event for most of the last twelve to thirteen years.  The number of fly ins has dropped a fair bit, but that’s the same everywhere you go anymore.  Still one of my favourite events to attend.  As always, the unicom (radio) operator was so cheerful and pleasant to speak with.  We got Vyctor parked and prepared him (sun shield) and us (sun screen) before walking over to the apron.

Because of a couple events of parents allowing their kids (grrrrr!!!!!) to climb on other people’s property, I attached these signs.  I thought about them at the last minute, so that’s why they look sloppy.  I’m going to print a couple and put them in protective sleeves, so I have them in the plane at all times.  They do bring some peace of mind.  I know not everyone chooses to read and or follow instructions….

Speaking of reading and following instructions:

Such a rebel, I know!  Actually, I know the owner and actually ended up seeing him two days later.

We had a great time wandering around the static displays of both planes and classic cars.  The replica Avro Arrow was also there:

I was hoping to see a Ford Fairlane there to send a pic of to my mom.  She had a Fairlane Fastback that she really loved.  I didn’t see one, so sent her a picture of an old Fairlane ad I saw there:

After touring around, we got some food and sat under Vyctor’s wing, in the shade on a blanket I brought.  And of course, the blanket had an airplane on it.

It was a nice bumpy flight home, which always makes it even more fun.

When I got home, I figured the cats would be thrilled to see me.  I couldn’t have been more wrong:

At least Boo gave me the courtesy of waking up:

There was an interesting event at my building recently.  Someone’s car caught on fire:

Apparently faulty wiring.  I’m glad it happened up top rather down in the underground parking:

Yikes!

Today’s symptoms: I actually had a decent day, despite having three short flights last evening (to a local meeting, some aerobatics, then home).  I really didn’t feel a significant drop in my energy until around 5:30.  Really bad pain in my hands today, though.  

Elizoobeth

I took Thursday off of  work and took my friend and his daughter to Safari Niagara.  My father volunteers there and showed us around.  We had a nice, guided tour in a golf cart.  Here are some of the animals we got to see:

I had not been able to see the hippos during the previous trips to the zoo.  They were hiding.  I’m happy to report that they were both out that day:

Yikes!  I was waiting for his head to go completely inside out.

It was a very nice visit.  We did get a bit wet during a fairly big storm that went through.  We were able to find shelter while it passed.

I came home to my own little zoo:

Today’s symptoms:  I had a pretty good weekend.  I have a neat flight to discuss in my next blog.  After a long day yesterday, I feel better than I though I would today.  My fatigue level is much less than what it usually is after flying.  Woot!

Jumped Out Of An Airplane Again…

I had such a good time doing my first tandem skydive on May 31st that I decided to go back for more.  Yesterday, my little mother came by and we drove over to the Niagara District Airport.  We then flew ten minutes to the Dorothy Rungeling Airport (Welland) for our 10:00 appointment at the Niagara Skydive Centre.  The previous two jumpers were late, so we had to wait around for a bit.  There are much worse places I can spend time than at an airport!  We sat outside and watched the other jumpers come down, then it was my turn to suit up.  Unfortunately, we weren’t able to convince Jan to jump as well.

Péter, my tandem master, was very camera crazy that day.

I really don’t like getting my pic taken, but obliged for a bunch.  I think I was telling him nicely to put the camera down:

Needless to say, he didn’t.  Hehe.

We were sitting next to the door for the flight up to 10,000′.  He opened the door early so I could just lean out and enjoy the awesome view:

Then without further adieu, we got in position to depart the Cessna 205:

During my last jump, we did three somersaults out the plane.  This time, we did one, although I wasn’t quite expecting it.  Tee hee.  I was wondering why for a split second, I saw the plane again.  I told Péter to do whatever he wanted to make the jump even more exciting than it already was.

We really lucked out with perfect weather.

The free-fall was really neat.  Then we were under the canopy:

He let me control the chute for a bit, which was quite fun.  I’m not too sure what he said at this point, but I saw him pointing and assumed he meant “There’s the ground.  Aim for it.”

It was neat to see my cute little plane from the top down:

And then, unfortunately, it was time to land.  I was really hoping we would hit a massive thermal and get sucked back up again, but it didn’t happen.

Just like the first jump, Péter did a perfect landing.  What an amazing experience.   I’m very impressed with the two jumps I did with Skydive Niagara.  Their staff are great – very friendly, professional and accommodating.  If anyone ever wants to have a wonderful and exciting experience, I highly recommend doing a jump here.  I know I’m going back again.  I’m strongly considering doing the progressive freefall course, so I can do a solo jump.  It entails a five hour course, then a instructor-assisted deployment from 3200′, a bit more training, then a freefall from 10,000′ while being flanked by a couple instructors.  I did four IAD jumps back when I was with the Army, so that gives me a little more confidence for doing this.  It will probably be in September or October.

Today’s symptoms: I felt quite good today, despite my very and exciting day yesterday.  I think I slept more last night than I have in over 10 years.  I started drying my hair last night, and then part way through, I got quite tired.  At 7:30pm, I decided to lay down for a 10-20 minute nap.  I woke up at 2:30am.  Oops!  I had a hard time falling back to sleep but did just before 4:00am.  I probably had 10 hours of sleep last night.  Hehe!