Curt Graduates! Welcome Karisa! Corn Alps 2019...

So much is happening at Madcity Paragliding it’s hard to keep track.
Curt made a few touch and go flights Monday evening to bring his count up to 24. We then took an hour long cross country flight together to celebrate the completion of his training. Graduation day is one of my favorites. To see all the progression from first flight on is so rewarding. Congratulations Curt!!
Karisa visited the airport Monday morning to finalize her research into becoming a paramotoring pilot. She tried on the Top80 miniplane, took a go at the simulator and took a go at wing handling. Though somewhat frustrating at first, she was soon able to get the wing overhead and pointed into the breeze. When she couldn’t run any faster I gave her a push and let her feel the lift of the wing as she was plucked from the ground for a few moments. She officially begins training to be a pilot Friday. Welcome Karisa!
Andriew tried out the Blackhawk Sunday morning and made a few flight with a couple different wings. He’s searching for his first Paramotoring setup.
Jason and Brad were out to Syvrud Airport Tuesday evening to make some flights. Jason made two with the Blackhawk and two with the Moster 185+ Miniplane. We added a few new skills for him including hands off flying, a big step towards truly trusting your gear. Nice work Jason!
I was at the Corn Alps, a free flying competition in central Illinois, Thursday through Saturday helping out wherever I could. First as a winch operator pulling competitors into the sky, then assisting pilots launch in the strong winds and finally driving around the countryside picking up the participants when the finally dropped from sky as the lift they were searching for died out. I learned a lot from the amazing pilots and had a ton of fun! Next year’s Corn Alps will be in Minnesota, can’t wait!
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