After almost a month with numerous days of running down the training hill, being towed up in the air and three trike flights, Simone finally had her first high flight off of Cooper’s and needless to say she was thrilled!  Congratulations Simone on completing your beginner hang glider rating.

A new batch of hang gliding students enrolled for lessons at the Freedom Flight School.  Linda from the Netherlands had previously spent about 20 days on training hills in Europe but was itching for her first high flight while Simone from Victoria, BC had never encountered a hang glider before.  Our very own paragliding instructor Dave Underwood decided to join in on the fun and hoped to finish the hang gliding lessons he took in Ontario 20 years ago in his quest to become “bi-wingual”.  The first morning instructor Terry had all 3 students practice with the massive Wills Wing Condor training wing on the small training hill.  The next morning was a repeat followed by some towing in the evening.  Linda was rewarded with her first high flight on the third morning and Dave had his first flight the next day after a trike flight with Randy to get a feel for flying the wing.  Simone is progressing very quickly with her lessons and will soon follow suit.

The Freedom Flight School had to take a brief hiatus as the 2015 Canadian National Hang Gliding Championships were hosted at the Freedom Flight Park from June 28th-July 4th.  Twenty-seven pilots from all around the world, including countries such as Australia, New Zealand, Brazil, Austria, U.S.A. and of course Canada took to the skies over the week long competition.  Some world class pilots experienced soaring the Okanagan Valley for their first time and were not disappointed.  Five out of seven days had valid tasks and pilots made goal on four out of the five days.  The meet happened to coincide with Canada Day and the United States' Independence Day so there was much to celebrate about.

For more details, check out the Lumby Air Force blog.

But the school and tandem flights are now back into full swing...so come on out and fly!