Hi Bob, I agree. I still marvel at the light weight as I setup and launch. I'm also amazed that Dr. Francis Rogallo's creation is so strong, difficult to overspeed, mushes more than stalls and was made available to the public to enjoy.
I've never flown a Sport 2, but have heard nothing but great things about them. I would probably add a Sport 2 for some cross country ability rather than go to the more demanding U2 at this point.
I learned to fly on Vancouver Island in British Columbia, flew in the Bay area (mostly Fort Funston), a little bit a Sylmar and am looking forward to Funston this spring. I'd love to fly the world famous Lookout Mountain at some point.
I'm still new to cross country, but did get in a couple of good thermal flights Forbes in Australia. We aerotowed behind a Moyes / Bailey Dragonfly and were dropped in a thermal by Steve our intrepid tow pilot (I did get to log two hours in the Dragonfly - fantastic!). When thermalling, I've always had to use other birds, the vario and guess about the shape and drift of the thermal. However, on that day, it was like the Wizard of Oz. Dry seeds(?) that looked like mini tumbleweeds were being picked up and were swirling in the thermal indicating the strength, direction and radius. I kept looking out for monkeys and broomsticks. I topped out at cloudbase and witnessed a cloud street that stretched seemingly to the horizon (a cloud street is line of cumulous clouds that drift downwind and can be used as stepping stones on long distance flights). Over dinner at the field, we were shown on a map the various successful record cross country flights that had been initiated at Forbes. Someday, I'd like to go back.
Sounds like you've had a tremendous flying career in the states. Congratulations on your 40 mile cross country. How was the land out? Any close saves?
