SETTING SAIL - Canadian Paraplegic Association (Alberta)

f eature“Do you see the Blanik to the North?” he says, motioningto a fellow glider. “Head over there, he’s found lift.”“I see him,” I say, as I bank right and head towards thecircling glider.John instructs me to circle in the same direction as theBlanik, and always keep him in sight while constantly scanningfor other gliders.Our variometer, which measures our rate of climb, startsto beep excitedly as we enter the thermal, indicating lift,and I bank left to stay in the lift while following the Blanik.We continue tight circles, enjoying our elevator ride and theincredible expanding view.“Our height limit is 8,000 feet due to the Calgary controlzone, so let’s head west now,” informs John as we hit ourceiling.We roll out level and head towards the mountains, enjoyinga smooth glide straight ahead. South of Black Diamond,a town near Okotoks, we encounter more lift.“If we go south of that gas plant on the left we can climbto 10,000,” John says.“OK,” I reply steering south. As if on queue, we feel ahuge bump of lift just past the plant, and circle to take advantageof it. While circling we notice a hawk, enjoying thefree ride while turning his head in wonder at this strangesilent albatross.“OK, 10,000, let’s head towards Longview!” I hear fromthe back.In a few minutes we’re over Longview, looking intoKananaskis Country from 10,000 feet! What a view! We’restill encountering lift and I have to shove the stick aheadand fly faster to keep us below our limit. On this day it seemsthat lift is everywhere! We fly from one cumulus cloud toanother, circling underneath to gain altitude. We hear laterthat one club member flew over seven hours to the Montanaborder and back!After an hour or so, we decide not to hog the aircraft anylonger as others are waiting to fly and we head home. Theflying field is probably 15 miles away, but we can glide 30miles or more if we want, as our glide ratio is better than 30to 1, or 30 feet of horizontal travel for every foot of altitude!“We’ll use runway 14, join downwind at 1,000 feet aboveground,” John instructs as we near the airport.We have to make several large circles to bleed off the extraaltitude, but we’re in no hurry to end the flight, and wefinally join the circuit.“Cu Nim Black Diamond traffic, Lima Tango Yankee isleft downwind runway 14,” I hear as John broadcasts ourintentions.I notice a glider on the runway, but John is unfazed asprecise spot-landings are the norm for these guys.“I’ll have you fly as much of the circuit as possible,” Johnsays.I fly the downwind leg, watching the runway through theleft side to gauge when to turn. At about 500 feet I make theturn onto our final approach, and then turn control of the gliderover to John. Using the spoilers to increase our descent rate,John expertly drops us in from a surprisingly steep angle, androunds out to a perfect gentle touchdown exactly where heplanned...amazing!I’m hooked! It was so much fun that words don’t do it justice.The feeling of absolute freedom was overwhelming—there is no room for a wheelchair in a glider! Since this flightwe’ve returned for many more. It’s hard to believe that a glidingclub in Black Diamond has a glider specifically adaptedto be completely controlled by hand, a lift-equipped golf-cartto lift you into the glider, and a great bunch of helpful clubmembers, and that it is all surprisingly affordable! In factthe first flight is paid for by Freedom’s Wings! There is evena campground on site with power!It is a process of trial and error to adapt gloves to hold thejoystick and rudder control, but it is progressing and now I’veeven got a couple of landings under my belt. If anybody wantsto take up this wonderful sport, or even go for a joyride tosee what it’s all about, the folks at Cu Nim Gliding Club willbe more than happy to accommodate. The Edmonton SoaringClub is also equipped with a lift to get us into their gliders.They just don’t have a glider with a hand rudder-control stickas of yet but flying without rudder control works fine—itgives your instructor something to do.Spinal Columns 25