Hi Alex,
You must be traveling in traffic. I've made the trip to South County Airport in San Martin, just North of Gilroy several times recently. Its 45 minutes tops. Hollister is maybe another 20 or 30 minutes further. From S'vale you could hop on 85 and loop around thru Almaden to the great narrowing at the junction with 101 in minutes, from there its an easy cruise South.
Ah the memories I have in old 37W, an excellent Schwitzer 2-33 now homed at Calistoga I think, and oil-canning in a 1-26. Those sturdy near-stalless vehicles were akin to flying in the barnstorming era, side window down, arm dangling in the slipstream. My third training flight was in blue wave, climbing from 2.7K to 6.2K! I thought this gliding thing was a piece of cake! Boy did I get humbled later.
I think you probably were awed by the Minden experience. Nothing prepares one for the turbulence and violence of the tow up there, and then of course the size and depth of the valley. Plus transistioning from the forgiving sloppiness of 33 to a Grob at the same time and its like learning all over. But the Grob is a docile, slow rolling plane once you subtle out your stick hand. I find it unresponsive myself.
Of course the hook set deep within at an early age and I decided early on that I would do no less than have my own. So before I passed my private, I rushed out and bought a single place Lark. Spent hours and hours in it, really learning how to fly after passing the exams. Yet still not very good. But it really helps to know your ship.
Still have it, sadly neglected parked by the side of the house. Sweet little N70796. Did you see the cu's buildup this afternoon ? One of these days... |
