Well,

I went out to the field and it was empty. The windsock was wagging around like crazy, (more like vibrating violently), and there a no WAY I was gonna fly my little Super stick. I ordered a Zagi online to learn some slopes, (got one with a brushless motor to cheat with).

This is a fairly powerful addiction. I want to learn to fly in adverse conditions, but I will need to draw the line at these erratic Santa Ana winds.

For those of you who don't know, we get winds in So CA when there is a HP ridge to the east. The air is forced through numerous passes and canyons so it changes direction without warning and very rapidly. (It's analogous to a white-water rapids). Right now, there is a fire a couple miles west of my home, moving further west. I live in the hills and there is no wind at my house, but if you go about 12 miles North, (other side of the Chino Valley), there are gusts over 50 mph, and 2 miles west they are reporting gusts to 40.

I have been practicing in 'windy' conditions, even got my trainer to nearly stop in a headwind...was a blast, but only 15-20 mph. I have done some landing, but I still under-use my rudder. I need much more rudder practice, otherwise I'm just wasting a channel on taxiing.

My trainer now lies in repose in the garage due to another...'learning experience'. Public viewing is um... whenever I leave the garage door open. Luckily, my trainer had the foresight and generosity to have filled out it's 'organ donor' registration card. I will perform the surgery as soon as the recipient arrives via USPS, (should be the end of the week).

Winds are supposed to increase tonight and tomorrow....I don't know how you guys can stay away from the field for a month or more in harsh winters. I need to get out asap but, as I have acknowledged, I'm too chicken at this point.

Regards,

Mark