Mark Dowsett's blog

First Flights of 2011

Posted Sun, 04/03/2011 - 22:05 by Mark Dowsett

Three of us went out today to get our gear out of storage and made sure it was all working. Our main sod field isn't close to being dry yet but the neighbouring alfalfa field is open to use when the crop is low. We got in seven flights between Ryan (3), me (Mark - 2) and Nick (2). Sorry Nick for not getting your flights on video, I thought I hit record on the last one. Nick had better landings than Ryan and I, I guess we taught him well and even operated the winch better!

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Glider Selection - and other fundamental information

Posted Sun, 02/06/2011 - 20:46 by Mark Dowsett

In preparation of the upcoming flying season, I've been talking to lots of last year's students and helping them make decisions into getting their own gear to continue on with their flying. It's not an easy process and of course there are many routes to go and may opinions to consider. There is a healthy discussion going on right now on the OzReport that you should find interesting...it was initiated by a new hang gliding student trying to figure out their first glider to fly.

Unsolicited Review

Posted Wed, 12/08/2010 - 17:01 by Mark Dowsett

Honest...this is an unsolicited review:

http://www.yelp.ca/biz/instinct-windsports-inc-woolwich

Many thanks Joe - we're glad you guys had a great time out with us and look forward to seeing you again in the Spring.

What a treat! Three first-steppers today!

Posted Mon, 11/29/2010 - 00:23 by Mark Dowsett

What a treat today was! I was worried that it would be a disappointing day when I was heading out to the field....I thought that the recent snow may impede us from doing much flying today. Turned out there was zero snow on the field and the winds cooperated all day! We ended up hitting some milestones with Lucas, Dave Dunn and Carlton all step towing for the first time and making it right up to over 2000'. Smiles all around. Congrats guys!

Time to Ridge Soar

Posted Fri, 11/26/2010 - 15:23 by Mark Dowsett

This is the time of year that we get the opportunity to go soar the small ridges on the Great Lakes (Erie and Huron). I've never soared the lakes so I'm looking forward to it. It's a catch-22...it's bitterly cold, but we need the cold to freeze the lakes for a landing zone.

Instinct on the CTV 6'oclock news Monday!

Posted Sun, 09/12/2010 - 20:52 by Mark Dowsett

Friday morning we we fortunate enough to get the local CTV news crew out to shoot a story on the success we've been having teaching Lonnie to fly hang gliders over the past few weeks.  Simply teaching someone to fly wasn't what attracted them to the Story....but the fact that Lonnie has a spinal cord injury and is a paraplegic and rather confined to a wheel chair is what lured them out!

Maxing out the scooter

Posted Mon, 09/06/2010 - 21:32 by Mark Dowsett

We squeaked in some fantastic flying this weekend...the forecast didn't give us much to hope for but we sure exceeded our expectations. It just goes to show that you just have to get out there and see what you are given.

Patience and determination sure pays off

Posted Sun, 08/22/2010 - 22:14 by Mark Dowsett
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Teaching hang gliding continues to amaze me...what a great endevour this has become. Helping new people work towards the goal of free-flight is incredibly rewarding...for both instructor and student.

Milestones

Posted Sun, 11/08/2009 - 22:11 by Mark Dowsett

Reinhold told me to pass on the message that everyone else missed out on the best day of the year....I'd almost have to agree.

ThanksGiving Flying

Posted Mon, 10/12/2009 - 23:08 by Mark Dowsett

Another fun morning of flying. Another 14 tows!

Two of the students (Reinhold and Amanda) were out to brave the brisk morning. We got out there just after sunrise (going on 8) to frosty grounds but we all warmed up quickly. It was Reinhold's sixth session and he's transitioning to the base-tube now on the Condor and landing on the wheels. It was Amanda's third session and she's handling the Condor 330 well despite her small stature.