Mar 12, 2002
Orlando, FL The only
real purpose of this trip was to go in a different direction: NE. Home of the
Goodes, Dufours and and eventually to meet up and fly with John Magdic and
Harry Rossett north of Daytona Beach. Day 1
But
first things first. After visiting some local friends in Orlando the nearby Home
Depot served up a good launch. And so was flight made on the first day.  
1. Setting up was a breeze. The enterprise was backed off of the parking lot
into firm sand and a ready sky cruiser popped out.
2. The enterprise sits on the South end of this enormous field. As I circle for
altitude the music plays.
 
1. After leaving the launch area, cruising was difficult. Congested areas
abounded, necessitating some pretty contorted routes to stay over the open
areas.
2. Finally after a few miles the terrain opened up and took much less effort. By
this time it was late enough for thermals to be nibbling at my wing so I stayed
high.
  
1. After landing I was alone...the Silex devoid of it's life-giving air and
me enjoying the warm sunshine...music still played in my ears.
2. Then they started showing up...a curious and friendly lot. I told them all
about it and had them endure a picture. They didn't seem to mind.
3. Even the security folks thought it was pretty cool (and wanted a demo). But
alas, my thermal tolerance didn't allow it and they had to make do with my
animated launch description instead.
Day 2
- Mar 13
After
the Orlando flying it was on to New Smyrna Beach for the night to say hello to the
Dufours and Goods. Richard Good is a 19 year old pilot apprenticing under Eric
and generally helping to run the school. John Good, retired from a very successful
endeavor in England, helps out with business matters.   An
improvement to travel came with the addition of a "Cargo Buddy" to
carry the Sky Cruiser. I no longer need to disassemble at days end plus it
preserves the limited space afforded an Enterprise occupant. The view out the
rearview mirror isn't as good it's well worth it.
Refueling
is now a breeze too...I leave the 'cruiser on the carrier, pour in the oil then
pour in the fuel without ever having to remove it. This is done generally at the
same time as the Enterprise. And since a full tank lasts 3 hours or more I
usually get two locations (flying sites) out of a fill up.
 Arriving
in the New Smyrna area and now sporting a full tank of fuel lapping at the line,
I went on search of launch. Most will remember that the actual beach here saw
too much concentrated PPG activity and was lost to local restrictions. So I
found a small city park with no such restrictions. It was small but sufficient.
Although not on the beach, it was close enough that thermal activity was minimal
and the sea breeze was oozing in at about 8 mph - perfect!
The launch was indeed a challenge...I had to
inflate then quickly turn and takeoff crosswind. S-turns kept me in glide-shot
of dry ground until enough height allowed for circling. There was little laudable
terrain near launch and so I had to climb up to 1500' for the intercoastal
crossing. It was all enjoyable and well worth the effort. After kiting for a
minute or so I was off. These pictures tell of the flight.
   
1. This is the view from launch. Even without a
pending flight it was a beautiful place to be.
2. Looking North the fabled New Smyrna Beach can be seen in the distance.
3. After crossing to the beach it was cruising time. After about 40 minutes the
houses went away and state park sand slid by. Shortly after that I turned
around.
4. This sand bar provided perfect opportunity for foot drags.
  After
flying it was relaxing to sit back and enjoy the surroundings. The far left
picture was snapped immediately after landing. The next one was after having
everything packed up.
An major appeal
of this sport is where it takes me. Sitting in the back of the Enterprise with
no sounds but the breeze makes for a great way to work on the computer!  With
the gear packed up it was off to the Dufour's and Goods...they're only a couple
miles up the road from this launch site.
What
a set-up! Pictured right is Elizabeth Dufour, John Good and Eric Dufour in their
computer room they appropriately call "Houston". John works on video
and Elizabeth works on the Web site. They have everything networked together and
can even run the network on a notebook remotely using RF signals. John
and Sandy Good are wonderful hosts and I felt immediately at home. We enjoyed
good food and company. There were parapeople all about including one fellow who
packed his BASE jump parachute in the living room. Yes, that is the activity
where the jumper leaps from Buildings, Antennas, Structures or Earth and hopes
like crazy the chute opens...there's no second chance!  From
L to R: Eric & Elizabeth Dufour, myself Jeff Goin, then John and Sandy Good.
Tiny the Tandem dog is hiding behind the table.
Day
3, Mar 14
After a bit-o-breakfast with Eric, the Enterprise
and I headed Northeast arriving at Harry Rosset's place and miles of wonderful
beaches. Launch sites are very restrictive and only a few sites are usable. With
any significant activity those few sites will not last so the local flyers are
understandably recalcitrant about having large gatherings.  Phil
Clark from Canada was there as a stop on his own odyssey across this great land.
Terry Cohen and Bruce Erion from Atlanta also happened to be there. It was a
fortunate flight of fate we were able to meet up this way. John Magdic has set
up house in a unique dwelling dubbed the "ParaDome" (pictured right
with Phil above) where these folks stayed.
For
the next three days we put much sun on our backs, sand in the toes and air
through the lines. Of course, being the beach it was flying all day every day.
Even with the morning land breeze I was able to fly one location which has a
west facing slope.     
1. Bruce Erion kiting his Silex was the first sight to greet
me.
2. Soon after Bruce took to the sky trailing the red, white and blue.
3. Phil Clark tries on a new hat in the back of the Enterprise
4. It wasn't long before my wing joined him. This is the launch site...right
where the road ends.
5. A closer look at the launch while others prepare
   
1. Harry flew his ADG/Sky Cruiser to where his condo was then
headed back...I was in tow with camera
2. Phil Clark sails the Canadian maple leaf,
3. Terry Cohen executes a perfect launch with his black Silex,
4. Terry gets in the seat as Harry (behind him) prepares
Wave-off A
cross country to Shark's Restaurant was planned for the end of the day. I took
off early to get a pre-flight flight. After 40 minutes or so, killed the motor
for a relaxing glide to the LZ. Getting
lower I noticed one of the guys waving at me. That's nice. Then I noticed they
were ALL waving at me and with vigor...about that time I spotted the sheriff's
car. While I really didn't think I was doing anything wrong I got the hint,
reached back and pulled mr. cruiser to life. I landed about 5 miles down the
beach and got a ride back only to find out they worked things out (thanks to
smooth talking John Magdic). I went
back to fly my gear off for the cross country flight Shark Attack The
restaurant was a trip...what a group. Harry wound up buying the Enterprise a
Mascot and this fish sure made the rounds. It was a hand puppet shark with no
shortage of willing ham hands.    
1. Terry Cohen, a software guru and black wing aficionado, endures a
self-inflicted attack
2. The gang L to R: Phil Clark, "roadie" Joe, Bruce Erion (standing),
Jeff Goin (standing),
Terry Cohen, John Magdic (standing), Harry Rosset
3. John and Bruce "feed" the shark
4. Phil Clark sharing his bad habit...his gill slits will never be the same!
Day
4 - Mar 15 Road trip. We loaded up the
gear and headed out for one of the local hangouts. A beautiful beach where the
police actually didn't mind us (we never more than 2 in the air at once!).   Shortly
after launch John Magdic noticed a fellow pilot (not in our group) on the other
side of an inlet, stranded. He landed followed by me to see what we could do. It
turned out the pilot had friends, so one of us flew back to his car, got his
cell phone (with his friend's numbers in it) and flew it back to him. It still
took a while to get back.
Rob (pictured far
left and his stranded motor the next pic) did make it back and amazingly his
motor started right up. Whatever choice words came out were beyond earshot.   
1. Tony, one of the locals beside his adventure F3.
2. From high above the bay the scenery was spectacular
3. A good view of the launch area.
   
1. While crossing the inlet this "tall ship"
passed below...quite a sight.
2. John Magdic flew all the way from his house (15 miles or so) and we flew
together for a while.
3. Self mug shot sucking warm air through the teeth
4. At the end of the evening, John puts in the last of about 5+ hours as he
makes it back to launch. What a day! Afterwards we met Eric Dufour and
Richard Good for dinner who had been flying on a beach down the road.
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