Dustin rides and flys!

Dustin enjoyed the total experience from the parachute/bailout briefing to the tie-down at the end of the ride.  Flying from the rear seat gives me the opportunity to have my passenger experience the totality of the flight with the unobstructed view and the feeling of being alone in the new environment(when I'm not talking).  After the aerobatics Dustin flew the rest of the flight until the actual landing.  When I commented on his ability to control the glider so well on his first flight he said, "video games"!

Last day of the old year for Gaurav's first flight!

Here is a young man who works with the latest technology out to experience basic flight without an engine or the "whiz-bang" goodies that so capture the attention of today's youth.
This sailplane was designed, built and flown long before he was born but is all new to him.  After a quick introduction to the basic controls his analysis is positive for flight!

And again there is that gesture of approval once we have released from the towplane and are free to point the nose anywhere and glide around using this unique visual perspective for our personal enjoyment.  A little respite from the "hustle and bustle" below.

His gesture had me look it up in Wikipedia: 

 This day also brought my friend Peter from San Jose with two friends for rides in the state of the art two-place German designed DG-505:

Gaurav had a look-see and sat in the cockpit after they were done flying.

This sailplane type has taken many soaring pilots on flights of 6+ hours and 500+ miles.  A modified version of this model was used by Steve Fossett and Einer Enolvdson to set a world altitude record of 51,000'!

I think a window may have opened for Gaurav.  He knows where to start now if he wants to find and go through a door into an interesting world.  Good luck, H...

Beautiful clear day following the cold front passage

Vivian and Ricardo got lucky with their pick of a day to take their first glider ride.  Vivian said she had enjoyed her parachute experience in Hollister last summer.  She remembered the gliders.  We made up for the slight height differential with some cushions:

After release from tow at 4500' over the Diablos east of Hollister.  The snow-capped Sierras are off in the distance beyond the San Joaquin Valley.

Winter, wet season, rides

Bernard from Buffalo, NY was visiting son Philip in the San Jose area. I think it was Philip's wife who bought Groupon Hollister Hops for them on a day when the air was still between storms.  Philip's skills as a private pilot in powered aircraft allowed him to handle the controls very smoothly on the first flight and I could see that glider flying was of a great interest to him.  I didn't get a pic of him in the air but here's one of his father who took a higher tow.

Ed said this ride was for his 80th birthday but you wouldn't know it if you saw how easily he got in an out of the glider.

From this group, 4 of the 6 went up because the other two said they had a ride in Eugene, OR and were wanting to see their friends have a similar experience.

Brenna and her father, Kevin went first and those smiles tell all.

The last ride of the day was with Amy and her son Andrew.  We were having such a good time I forgot to get their picture in the air but here they are after landing.  I think Andrew might have become interested in pilot training especially after he was made aware of the fact that the young man, also named Andrew, who was working the line was already a private pilot at 16 having soloed at 14.  He's now working on his commercial license so he can give rides too.

When the young men get their licenses the first person they generally take up is Mom.  And the mom will ask, "Does he really know what he's doing?" and we'll reply, "You are about to find out!"

Retirement present ride!

Jim was given a glider ride gift certificate as a retirement gift from his employer in Mankato, MN.  His daughter Jennifer brought him down from her home in Sacramento on a beautiful day and he choose to take her along on his ride!  He said he had taken her flying in his Cherokee 140 many times.  They fit nicely in the rear seat and off we went.

After Jim pulled the release our towpilot brought the Pawnee around and waved goodbye!

 The picture doesn't really do the view justice as it is much better in reality!

Weather changes and opportunities!

The change in the weather has caused some people to postpone or cancel their scheduled rides which sometimes has them miss some great conditions!
Look what my friend Ramy did on one such occasion recently:

Another beautiful day!

Wolf and Nicole drove down from "the city" San Francisco for a Monterey Bay Adventure Ride and they picked the right day!

Monterey Peninsula from 8000' over Moss Landing:

The Hollister Soaring Center Pawnee towplane, personnel and Schweizer 2-32 glider

Accomplished ride passengers!