|
IN THE COMPANY OF THE GODS
Story and photography
by Eric Anderson
The sky sports attract special people. Yet the odd
thing is, though it takes practical, er, down-to-earth, common sense
to meet the challenge of an aviation sport, those who "have
slipped the surly bonds of earth" are often romantics, poets,
and dreamers.
|
 |
"I can sit on clouds and watch the
world go by all day," says Bret Willat, a soaring instructor
and professional air show performer, who with his wife, Karen, runs
Sky Sailing, in Warner Springs at the edge of the Anza-Borrego California
desert."
It's said that Warner Springs has the best year-round soaring weather
in the world. The number of people usually waiting for introductory
flights seems to confirm it. Many go on to solo after 25 to 35 instruction
flights, at a cost of $900 to $1400 and some spend another $1000 for
the flights that bring a private license.
|
 |
 |
There are now more than 30,000 licensed
sailplane pilots in the United States. One, an obstetrician friend
of mine, went to the Schweizer School of Soaring, Elmira, New York
and learned to fly a sailplane. When asked why, he answered: "For
the same reason I went hang gliding at the age of 68 -- because it's
fun -- lot's of fun." www.skysailing.com
|
 |
 |
 |
It is fun. Hang-gliding is the sky sport
that comes closest to experiencing the freedom of flight, what it's
like to be a red-tailed hawk lazily wheeling in the sky as the busy
world below rushes by in a hurry. And even then, hang-gliding is being
replaced by the fastest growing air sport in the world: paragliding.
A hang-gliding tandem flight costs $125 and if you end up buying a
glider you can expect to pay about $3000-$4000. Cynics might say,
"Who wants run down a slope at Torrey Pines on a perfect summer's
day with 75 pounds of equipment floating above you, then hurtle yourself
off a cliff?" But if so they are missing one of the most dramatic
moments in life. And at one of the world's most famous hang-gliding
sites.
|
 |
 |
|
 |
|
