High Times: Waiting to fly, Going Vertical, Freedom

I think Dave Gilmore of Pink Floyd knows how to fly. Their song Learning to Fly, with its music and lyrics perfectly captures the emotions of a pilot, from the thrill and fascination of soaring like a bird through to the restlessness and discontent when grounded:

There's no sensation to compare with this
Suspended animation, A state of bliss
Can't keep my mind from the circling skies
Tongue-tied and twisted just an earth-bound misfit, I

Two years ago my wife gave me a video camera and this has helped douse the frustrations when I am stuck on the ground. Video offers a virtual reflight of an earlier session and provides an interest with editing etc. The following clip of that first flight with the camera is a short 45 second take at my home site in Australia.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Arf4Zrzrb_E

I watch this footage and remember feeling like a young boy having free reign in a playground. I clearly recall the moment as being smooth and peaceful with a little anticipation to see how the playback will look after I land. It reminds me of feeling complete independence and freedom when I fly, especially whenever the air is perfect and I'm doing aerobatics and have the airspace to myself.

The whole clip is a single composition but when I think of aerobatics there are moments during any manoeuvre that pop-up as a or the highlight. For a loop the following photographs show those moments, the first of which is at the begining of the dive when the nose drops, when gravity gets a full hold and the earth starts accelerating towards you.

One of the first things you notice is the change in sound. At first it is the low volume hum of airflow around the helmet but soon it’s a deafening riot of high frequency distortion and noise as the glider builds up to maximum speed. Before long the glider wants to pull out of the dive and when it is time I ease the pressure on the control frame and gradually level out. I am starting the loop.

My favorite moment is when the glider is climbing vertically. For that split second it’s just you and the wing leaving the earth behind heading straight for the clouds and the sky. I think this is how it must look for a astronaut during lift-off. I often wish at that instant I could do the same, pull-in slightly to keep the glider going vertical, and just keep heading for space.

Moving through the air suspended upside down with positive g is an unknown sensation for most people. I will never grow tired of the magic and charm of flying inverted.

Everyones desire for freedom is strong. I know mine is. Aerobatics in a hang glider is the most effective means I possess to satisfy the instinct for freedom.