Saturday 10/16/10

Lauren said she had a pilot's license but had never flown in a glider.  She and Tim took a Mile High Mountain Ride for a new experience:

Bruce and Cherie were flown to Hollister by a friend who was scheduled for an introductory lesson towards a glider add-on to his private pilot's license.  Cherie said she could see much more from the glider and both enjoyed the slower pace without the engine noise.

 

Friday 10/15/10

Terry put on the "chute" and we went for a Mile High Mountain Ride-acro:

And this was the view we had towards the Monterey Bay with fog over Prunedale:

A fellow glider pilot from Austin, TX wanted to see the sights while visiting:

Grace and KJ were next for a Silver Hawk ride:

Monterey Bay Adventure acro ride for Eric

Eric put on a parachute, "just in case", got in the front seat and we went for a nice ride!
On tow behind the Pawnee towards Monterey Bay:

After some acro maneuvers Eric flew the plane as if he'd done it before!

I get to fly with some great people!

Eric sent me an email with a link to a video of our landing:

An out-of-sequence late post!

Last Friday after the Fresno party left I had to make a maintenance/test flight in the BASA DG-1000, the two-place Ferrari of sailplanes.  This gave me an opportunity to take our airport facilities mechanic, Randy, for his first airplane ride!  He was excited and ready to go.  We towed over Henrietta, off to the the east and thermalled with 5 young golden eagles before doing some maneuvers including a loop which he enjoyed.  After some time playing in the lift we glided over to his house in Hollister so he could call his daughter on the cell phone and have her look up to see him!  Some more cruising around was followed by a nice smooth landing on runway 6.

Sunday rides from Hollister

Another beautiful day brought out more folks wanting to get "high in the sky"!

Dharti and her uncle Girish were first:

Danny and his brother James were intending to go together but it was just too tight a squeeze as their women friends observed:

We split the ride into two separate shorter ones giving Danny the front seat alone to fly the glider on his birthday.  Here we are on tow at 3300 feet above the San Benito Valley flying towards Fremont Peak with  the Salinas Valley and the fog over the southern Monterey Bay visible in the distance:

Allison and Danny's brother James fit together quite nicely!  At first she was hesitant but later found she really enjoyed "moving around in the air"!

Randa and Sanjeev were next.  Somehow I "spaced" the in-the-air photo op and just got this pic after we landed:

Jennifer and Chris were the last passengers of the day and enjoyed their ride.  Those beautiful smiles are our best advertising!

Saturday's commercial rides

After the Young Eagle rides I took Vance and Mary up to celebrate Vance's 60th birthday.  Mary sure knows how to please her man!

Terry and Rick Endo enjoyed the sight, sounds and experience next:

These two volleyball players, Eden and Ross, fit their tall bodies in together for their ride:

At first Ashnita didn't like the idea of going up in a plane without an engine.  Dave said she had flown many times with him in his Piper airplane!  Once in the air and released from the towplane, she relaxed and enjoyed the peace and tranquility as can be seen from that beautiful smile.

Young Eagle rides at Hollister

The Hollister Soaring Center volunteered its equipment, a tow-pilot and ride-pilot volunteered their time and three lucky boys got to fly a sailplane!

 All the lucky kids had rides given by other Hollister Airmen and Airwomen:
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