Sailplane Flight

Dad takes off into the wild blue yonder in a sailplane!

The sailplane at the Faribault Airport. A sleek bird in the hanger. Can't have too many planes. The cockpit of a high performance single seater. An aerobatic sailplane for loops and rolls. 38 to 1 glide ratio! Check out that wingspan. Dad checks out the sleek machines in the hanger. The ground crew heads out. The plane is readied for the flight. The sailplane it towed to the start of the runway. Kyle and Veysel check out the tow plane. The crew climbs in. Ron "Top Gun" Chuba ready for take off! Final hat adjustments. The tow plane gets in position. Tow rope is tensioned. The crew awaits take off. One last check. Ready for take off. Lets go! Lift off! Check out that big grin!! The sailplane accelerates. The sailplane lifts first. Up and away! The tow plane hauls the sailplane up to altitude. The tow plane turns away. Ready to release the tow rope. Free as a bird! Smooth and graceful as a bird. Farm country. DSC01341 DSC01345 Flaps down on final approach. The runway is in sight. Touchdown. A smooth landing. Whew I made it! DSC01356