With the wind at my back...

Today was an interesting day. It dawned pretty, but with very low winds. We practiced forward launches for a while today, and then the exciting bit started.

We strapped the engine on our back’s for a long time, and then stood around and had a lecture talking about how the power ramps up and what not. That’s tiring.

Then, we actually started the engine on our backs, and ramped it up to about 25%. The power it provided is amazing. We practiced walking back and forth with the engine running. It’s strange, you have to lean back as you “run”. You’ve got a big thrust on your back the whole time trying to pitch you forward.

Then, I tried raising the wing as well (with the motor off). I found that excruciating. You have a heavy weight on your shoulders, have to maintain a good posture, have to keep your arms out to hold the risers, as well as holding onto the brakes with the finger and thumb of both hands, while at the same time being ready to monitor how much throttle you put into the engine to take you off.

Gads.

As I was doing it, the weather picked up as there was a thunderstorm out on the ocean. It turned out to be a major storm...so we ended up having a long lunch at this really nice restaurant on the beach.

Here’s what the storm looked like as it headed west (note the blue skies after it).

Once the storm cleared, we started trying to do mini-wings on the beach, but the wind was gusty enough that it was even able to pick me up, and I’m the heaviest guy on the beach.

Anyway, fingers crossed, we get to fly tomorrow. Failing that, we’re off to the go-karting place just down by the nudist beach.

You gotta love Spain.