Summary and Images
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by David Cook
"I arrived at McCartney Field at just after 7:00am. Bill and Maurice were on the ground and looked all packed up, or nearly so. Bill had already flown and reported that conditions were a little worse than he was accustomed to so he had landed on his second flight and decided to call it a day. Maurice was feeling a little under the weather so he decided not to brave it after all.
Maurice and I kited our gliders for quite a while. Great work-out. Afterwards, I flew for about 15 minutes or so. Conditions had continued to build some since Bill had flown so it was a little thermally but fine for a late morning flight. Maurice took some good pictures that he says he'll post. I spent some time putting my shadow on Maurice on the ground so he could get a shot of the sun through my glider's fabric. Maurice never did get that picture. Glider was flying a little fast into the wind at min-sink for Maurice to get the picture off (shadow passed over him too quickly for proper timing). Thermally conditions made it fun trying to guide my shadow right over Maurice from 400 or 500 ft. up. It took some active piloting to keep the shadow on a straiht course.
I climbed up to 700 feet or so and killed the engine for a nice glide down. Decided I wasn't quite done so I restarted the engine and climbed back up. Killed the engine again at altitude, dropped the throttle and paraglided down for the landing. Just as I was landing, a Casa Grande Police squad car pulled up for a close up view. We had a great chat. The officers had seen me flying and wondered how I was staying up. They hefted the motor and asked a few questions, etc. After a little small talk, they bid us a friendly good-bye.
I think it was close to 11am when Maurice and I left."
The Windsocks
David Cook taking off...
...flying about...
...landing...
...and a friendly run in with the local Law enforcement.
