I spent an interesting day on the hill with Apoorva and Celine. Both of them had finished their Elementary Pilot (beginner) course and having logged more than 10 flights each from ‘Shinde Tekdi’ ( the training hill) were looking forward to learning how to soar. They were here to do  instructional tandem with Steve and then continue with the Club Pilot ( novice) tuition.

It was Apoorva’s first time at Tower Hill and she admitted to be daunted by the height and the distance to the landing. Later she told me “ The tandem flight changed all that’ . I felt so much safer and confident because I was taking off with my instructor. As a student everything goes so fast and there is so much pilot input on short flights that one has to concentrate on. With Steve behind me I got a chance to relax and focus on the tasks at hand.”

“Yes I was given the controls in-flight and the tasks are harder on the tandem but you are confident that they are not dangerous but simple normal maneuvers. The instructional tandem helps inculcates a safe attitude  and one is able to grasp the instruction quicker and progress at a relaxed, confident pace.  for the first time I actually enjoyed the view from the top.”

“After the instructional tandem when I flew solo I had a clear idea about soaring and knew what it was all about – before that it was just theory.  I knew exactly what I was doing and what was expected of me.”

Over the next few days both girls breezed through the CP tasks. soaring beats, efficient turns,  big ears, speed bar, active flying etc. all briefed, practiced and honed.

Peace Bliss & Happy Landings

Astrid Rao