Well it started one day in the summer of 1989. My father was up to go fishing near the time of his birthday. He had mentioned for years of a dream to take a ride in a glider. You see, he had probably flown in almost every plane ever made since WWII. He was one of those guys that could charm a pilot out of a ride anywhere.
Truckee has a company at the airport that gives glider rides ... ah ha a birthday present. You'd a thought I'd given him a million bucks. Well as a bonus his pilot was Captain David Cronin from United Flight 811 ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Airlines_Flight_811 ). They were up double the allotted time and even managed to get a few loops in.
My father died in January of 1991 a year and a half after receiving his dream ride. Best $100.00 I ever spent.
I'm sure you've heard about the B-29s emergency landing in Iwo Jima during WWII. My father was the one in charge of the radar bringing them in.
Riding the thermals along the alps, they must be able to stay up for HOURS -- in complete silence. What a rush!!
ReplyDeleteHere's another style of alpine flying. Check it out:
http://www.dump.com/2010/12/25/wingsuit-base-jumping-at-its-finest-video/
It looks so peaceful to be flying in the alps.
ReplyDeleteWell it started one day in the summer of 1989. My father was up to go fishing near the time of his birthday. He had mentioned for years of a dream to take a ride in a glider. You see, he had probably flown in almost every plane ever made since WWII. He was one of those guys that could charm a pilot out of a ride anywhere.
ReplyDeleteTruckee has a company at the airport that gives glider rides ... ah ha a birthday present. You'd a thought I'd given him a million bucks. Well as a bonus his pilot was Captain David Cronin from United Flight 811 ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Airlines_Flight_811 ). They were up double the allotted time and even managed to get a few loops in.
My father died in January of 1991 a year and a half after receiving his dream ride. Best $100.00 I ever spent.
I'm sure you've heard about the B-29s emergency landing in Iwo Jima during WWII. My father was the one in charge of the radar bringing them in.