Tom Kellevang, Jim McCarthy and I played with my new High End today in Illinois...the weather was as good as it can get....not too hot, strong thermal activity which kept a soothing breeze coming and made working the air a little challenging too. Big fluffy clouds with dark bottoms made visibility excellent too. TK was flying his new Icon2, and Jim a Pike Perfect...all of us on the JR DSM 2.4 systems I started the day getting my Super Ava set up again since I'd installed a DSM 2.4 system in it last nite in Jim's basement. Ground range said it wasn't the best install but no Holds so good enough for RES ;-). I began my day of soaring by hand tossing it into thermals, working it out, up and away, then doing it again...I was so happy to be on the flying field that I forgot how sick I was...and still am! I realized I'd over done it when I just about fell over going to pick up my plane! I took a break and then winched it a few times for maxes and decided it was ready and set. So out came my gorgeous High End....there was a bit of drool from the guys, but I managed to wipe it off the plane and up the line she went. It is a launcher...very fast up the line with a really easy pop ping to vertical and a long wait till it finally hits apex. I worked on trims, mixes etc, then handed it over to Jim for his feelings about ...everything I'd set up. I flew it about 15 times I think for 10's and landings....working on learning its landing pattern and speeds, stick positions, comps etc. I'm off using skegs for a while again, forcing myself to get control of the model again...so by the end I'd hit three 90+ and on my last "This is the big one!"....I landed one second early with the nose nestled on my hat. TK flew Johns at the JR Aerotow and he flew mine too, we all agreed that this is a Pilot's Sailplane, it takes more piloting than most ships and that makes it a bit more fun than the high wing, high dihedral ships...and it rewards you for it. Its beers and steak time....hope you guys are having a great Independence Day too! Gordy
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