S_P_2015_04_

FOR RECREATIONAL PILOTS. Sport Pilot^27

READER STORY

W

HEN you are 59 years old and tell your wife of 36 years

that you want to fly an Aerochute, her reply is probably

standard. “You are just going through a mid-life crisis.” To

which I replied “If I live for another 59 years I will definitely spend the

kid’s inheritance.”

What sold me on the idea of flying an Aerochute was that there had

never been a fatality in one. Although I have done a few ground break-

ing things in Colac, being the first fatality in an Aerochute was not my

idea of doing something ground breaking.

I worked in the quarrying industry all my life and trained many op-

erators how to feel what the loader, the off road dump truck or the

excavator was doing as they operated. It came as a shock to me that

I was not able to feel the Aerochute the way I had grown comfortable

doing with heavy earth moving machines.

I will be the first to admit I was probably slower than a younger per-

son at acquiring the skills needed to fly competently. The nervousness

from Steve Conte as I tried my first touch and go with him beside me

went unnoticed, except for a flinch when I hit too hard. After I flew solo

for the first time I returned attached to the head of one of the thistles

which grew around the edge of the airfield. I had missed the field com-

pletely. But with perseverance and practice I was able to land pretty

close to my chosen mark on the field.

I helped out and enjoyed the Aerochute championships flight on

the long weekend. The comradeship and jokes were shared by all on

the day. I was even offered a hefty bribe from one team to shorten the

tape measure.

Since purchasing my Hummerchute, I have flown six hours and

have gone through one aborted take-off. But I feel immense pleasure

from my achievements. I have planned my first trip to NSW and will

use the Hummerchute to flush pigs out of the wheat crops (one of the

main reasons I wanted to fly an Aerochute).

Learning to fly an Aerochute was different to anything I have done

for a long time. It was both mentally and physically stimulating and I

would recommend it to anyone. As they say ‘Just do it!’

Flying with Steve

BY DAVID GERMANO

David’s first

solo landing

First solo Last dual check