alkamar
New member
We just got back from a vacation in Chattanooga. The kids loved the Childrens' Discovery Museum, Rock Island, Southern Belle, and the Tennessee Aquarium. I'd have to say that the Incline railway was a let down and Ruby Falls was just so so.
The Hang Gliding was AWESOME!! I will have to go back to finish ground school due to the winds getting up. I did get to do 2 solo jumps off the 65 ft training hill before it got bad, though. A storm came trough that almost canceled the tandem flight, but it finally was clear enough for seasoned pilots. I was beside an instructor during takeoff which was done with a modified ultralight designed for aerotowed flights. We launched very quickly and hit a couple bumps on the way to 2,000 feet. It felt like a roller coaster and my stomach turned. I say to the pilot, "that was pretty cool." He says, "I don't like those, they scare me." Then I'm wondering if I brought another pair of underwear just in case.
At 2000 feet he released the line and we stood still for a few seconds. We were well over the top of Lookout Mountain soaring along the ridge which was giving us some lift. Down below I could see the foot launch at the top of the mountain. There were people standing there watching us, so he asks if I get motion sickness. When a pilot asks that, most would want to say yes, but I answered no. So then the fancy maneuvers begin and my stomach tried to keep up. When we went in for a landing we were gaining speed like we were part of a kamikaze squadron. That was the biggest adrenaline rush I have ever had. I highly recommend it.
I have flown in a Cessna Trainer and got to fly it once in the air, ride in a helicopter, but neither compared to the feeling you get flying over a mountain with an engine and only the wind in your face. I'll definitely do it again.
The Hang Gliding was AWESOME!! I will have to go back to finish ground school due to the winds getting up. I did get to do 2 solo jumps off the 65 ft training hill before it got bad, though. A storm came trough that almost canceled the tandem flight, but it finally was clear enough for seasoned pilots. I was beside an instructor during takeoff which was done with a modified ultralight designed for aerotowed flights. We launched very quickly and hit a couple bumps on the way to 2,000 feet. It felt like a roller coaster and my stomach turned. I say to the pilot, "that was pretty cool." He says, "I don't like those, they scare me." Then I'm wondering if I brought another pair of underwear just in case.
At 2000 feet he released the line and we stood still for a few seconds. We were well over the top of Lookout Mountain soaring along the ridge which was giving us some lift. Down below I could see the foot launch at the top of the mountain. There were people standing there watching us, so he asks if I get motion sickness. When a pilot asks that, most would want to say yes, but I answered no. So then the fancy maneuvers begin and my stomach tried to keep up. When we went in for a landing we were gaining speed like we were part of a kamikaze squadron. That was the biggest adrenaline rush I have ever had. I highly recommend it.
I have flown in a Cessna Trainer and got to fly it once in the air, ride in a helicopter, but neither compared to the feeling you get flying over a mountain with an engine and only the wind in your face. I'll definitely do it again.
