Put the flaps in -12 position, stick forward to 95 knots zoom North along the ridge. As you come upon an outcropping slow down and pull up slightly to check for oncoming traffic, none ahead, put the stick back forward and dive down to follow the contour....
...Bank hard left away from the ridge, turn back South - terrain
following at 105 knots (195km/h), up, down, follow the curve of the bowl,
just above tree top level. Give a firm aileron roll as you pass an
outcropping to be sure the tip clears the orange, yellow and brown canopy
of trees. In the bowl at the southern tip of the high part of the ridge,
you know there will be great lift, convert the speed to height by pulling
up in lift. Gain 800' in 45 seconds. Go back do it again, the lift doesn't
fail you.
Take a break from the fast paced action, follow the ridge down to the
Ocoee Dam for 5 miles and don't lose any altitude. Take a peaceful thermal
a mile up to relax, take in the vista with the great visibility in the
mountains. Hover for half an hour in the same area just because the lake
is so pretty below. Inhale, exhale, not a worry in the world.
Land 4 hours 15 minutes later and remind yourself to not hesitate
taking another day off from work for a day like this. Put the machine in
the box, drive home and try to find someway to share this experience with
someone else, because no matter how you try, those mere mortals at the
office will never really understand.
Chris Ruf
November 3, 1999
All Photo Credits go to:Will Reisman
with Fred Salyers piloting
the Katana Extreme Motorglider
