Preperations

It's blowing a little strong right now so I've decided to post an update. Most of our gear is packed for Sunday departure however we are basically ready to go as of this avo!
Well yesterday the 30th of August Eddie and I test flew our new Swing Naya Paragliders. I managed to capture most of the tests on video, even the one's that did not get us off the ground.
The morning showed light and calm wind, however the northerly up high was threatening to filter down into the ground inversion. We were focussed on practicing out preflight checks and capturing them on video so it was 9 am until the first launch was attempted.
I test flew eddie's wing to start. The Naya 23. The launch was faster than normal and I suspected I may have had tail wind. The flykes having wheels give a little flexibility here however all effort is made to pick the wind and fly into it. The wheels left the ground so I climbed out in the direction of the fields near the golf course at the southern end of Mullumbimby. Success. It was bumpy already thermal activity had started and I was getting tossed around... In the back of my mind I was thinking about Ed's first crack, wondering if these were the right conditions.
I came in for a landing and managed a touch and go with both rear wheels on the ground for an instant. Powering up I did one more circuit before I touched down for good.
I set Eddie up for a take off. I think I was as nervous as him. As he was preparing to launch I proceeded to hook up my wing.... the Naya 21. A smaller wing hence faster in the air than the 23, however there is the need to take off faster as well so I knew I was up for a longer run way.
Eddie hesitated for a second during the power up stage for the launch and the wing didn't quite make it up. A timely decision to abort, and no harm done... phew. The Flyke has an automatic steering adjustment system that makes up for the lack of foot steering. Each wing reaction to this steering compensation is a new skill that we both need to get the hang of.
My launch was quite fast. The air had become ever more turbulant and on take off my wheels came close to the ground during climb out. In hindsight .... well hindsight is a wonder thing. I powered up and began to climb in a punchy thermal. I had my VHF radio on and I made contact with a Cessna 182 on departure from a local strip to Ballina. I know the future of our sport involves better communications with other airspace users. Since buying a VHF radio 4 years ago the sky has opened up. I thermalled up with a little power in a 2 meter per second climb. The Naya thermals well, a sigh of relief.

Eddie's here to do more packing.. so I'll continue this later .. Before I go I've got footage of all this and will do my best to slip a bit up on the blog.... Cedar popped round this morning to set up my mobile for blogging...
Till then...