I have towed gliders in two different airplanes, the Super Cub and the Piper Pawnee. Both are fun to fly, although the Pawnee feels more like a flying truck than the Super Cub;-)

Flying is a high risk activity that requires focus, determination and critical thinking, but I generally come home with a huge smile after each day in the air. Aviation is a lifelong commitment to learning and as I've come to find out, each and every day will bring a new challenge.

How will you prepare? How will you perform under pressure? What distractions must you ignore? What indications must you react to?

These challenges are very rewarding and seem to help me grow and explore my limits. They teach me to seek out what really matters within the present.

We fly predetermined patterns based on air traffic and noise abatement and often, training flights are pulled into the "glider box", or a predetermined starting point.

Many of the cross country flights start in the mountains near Gold Hill or behind Bear Peak. Initially. I thought maybe this will become monotonous..... doing the same patterns over again, but each tow is unique and challenging. I end up working in a multi-dimensional world, utilizing most of my available senses, and processing that info to make good decisions. I constantly try to gather knowledge of the day's weather, to look over my aircraft, and to do my best to make sure everything is correct so I'm confident in my equipment and procedures before takeoff.

Once it's time to launch, I work together with the sailplane pilot to hook up the glider, develop situational awareness of current airport traffic and when the time is right, I "tug" them safely up to altitude. Generally the glider will release when they are ready but sometimes the rope breaks, as it's designed to do if the tow pressures are too high :) We have radios to communicate with each other and we use signals as well, like hand signals or a rudder waggle.

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