GLIDER

Dennis and I loaded up a white water raft and all the gear, and headed to the Ocoee river. After driving from Nashville to the dam at the head of the Ocoee, The TVA cut the water off at the dam. We began to drive home, and noticed some gliders flying at Unionville. I had never flown, and feeling adventurous we stopped. They agreed to take us up and we were excited. The glider used for this purpose was a world war two trainer. It had dual controls and most importantly a pilot that set in the back seat. The glider had wheels on front and back that were recessed, The old tail dragger pulled the butt dragger into the air. When we reached 6,000 ft. the pilot instructed me to release the rope; I asked if he was sure? He said he was sure we couldn't land with the rope attached, so I pulled the release. The pilot told me to look for thermals, my response was what do they look like. He told me to look at the altimeter, I did and we were falling like a rock. He told me not to make sharp turns, and we could find a thermal over a pond or parking lot. We finally found one and it pushed us up, we made a large circle like a buzzard and we were gaining altitude. It was nice circling with only the wind whistling and looking at the small objects below. Soon the Piper Cub came to signal our time was up. The pilot said we needed to land, I could control the wings, and he would handle the stick. As we approached the runway there was a fence. We looked like we were going to hit so I held the stick. The pilot with panic in his voice told me to turn the stick loose. My response was not until we cross the fence, there is plenty room on the other side. The pilot said we can't go back around. We landed safely and it was an adventure the pilot will never forget.

HEAD NUT