Sylmar Hang Gliding Association

So I really screwed up my landing last Wednesday simply by looking in all the wrong places.
It all started with a virtual no wind launch barely clearing the bushes. Then after a short flight I was over the LZ with enough altitude to let Ken land. But I decided to give it one more 360 and then everything just kept getting worse when I looked ahead instead of my spot. When I turned my head again, realizing I better go on base leg now I did and watched my left wingtip get too close to the little ridge in the wash. Then on final after going through the top of a bush my base tube brought me to an abrupt stop sending me through the control frame and breaking my right elbow in the process. So now I am being punished for my inattention with most likely surgery (will know more Monday).
No dislocation, just the piece of bone at the tip broke in half which probably gets me metal hardware. This is simply nothing but irritating as I know better and now it takes me 20min to get dressed and can't do half the stuff I need/want to do. Hopefully this will all be healed in a couple of months so I can get back to the gym and resume flying again.

Sorry to hear of your injuries. Time heals all wounds.

Mike Blankenhorn wrote:...It all started with a virtual no wind launch barely clearing the bushes....

Should have pulled over to the curb and parked at that point then had your designated pilot continue the flight for you while you drove back down. Next time.

Of course none of this really happened and I was sh*t faced when I wrote it, so here is how it really went down:
I was riding my "bicycle" to the corner store when I just fell over and broke my elbow. Some say hang gliding is just as safe, I oughta try it one day.

Neon Jon wrote:

Mike Blankenhorn wrote:...It all started with a virtual no wind launch barely clearing the bushes....

Should have pulled over to the curb and parked at that point then had your designated pilot continue the flight for you while you drove back down. Next time.

Did that the previous Sunday and "wind or no wind I was am going to go 'bicycle riding' this time" started the chain of unfortunate events.
With doctor cooperation I will ask for local anesthetic only so I can video record the surgery along with a real cheesy narrative, yeah that's right, painfully narrated. I don't see any narrated surgeries in your portfolio. You may have just been PWNd.

Surgery yesterday when I received a metal plate and screws in my elbow. All went perfect according to specialist so I should be back in the air "on bicycle" by spring.
Will post exciting x-ray when I get it.

Once my elbow is back in flying shape I will spend a few days at Andy Jackson big o loop to work on my landing skills, with wheels, before returning to Kagel.
As long as I keep my eyes on the numbers I'll be fine and that should not be a problem after this experience.

Mike Blankenhorn wrote:Once my elbow is back in flying shape I will spend a few days at Andy Jackson big o loop to work on my landing skills, with wheels, before returning to Kagel.
As long as I keep my eyes on the numbers I'll be fine and that should not be a problem after this experience.

AFAIK the Big O Loop has been out of commission for some time now and is probably in even worse shape due to recent erosion. Better to check with Rob first and find out your best options.

How to Use your EXOGEN Ultrasound Bone Healing System

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mgdj_4Wcpfc[/youtube]