FlyinBarker

Yup I’ve got everything packed up…In the car already.  We’re leaving tomorrow morning and the dogs are already not happy.  I am really excited  about this trip as it is my first competition.  Granted it is geared more towards teaching competition techniques and has a different format than other competitions, it is still a competition.  I’m looking forward to a great week of flying, learning, and meeting new friends.  Honestly, I’m a bit nervous too.  I want to do well, by my own standards.  I want to make the goal set for the day but I also realize that learning requires making mistakes.  I love that about this sport.  You can look back on a day when you bombed out while everybody else was at cloudbase and almost always pinpoint the decision that decked you.   I just hope I learn fast!!

The weather is looking pretty good for the week at this point and I can’t wait to get in the air!!

My flying gear below.

What’s that lying on my harness???  Is it…oh yes it is!!  Allman Brothers and Widespread Panic tickets for the day after the comp!!  I can’t think a much better way to wrap the week up.  I think I’m gonna have HAPPY FEET!

Hello World.  Matt Barker here and thanks for visiting from where ever you are!

So I’ve been wanting to get a blog going for some time now and thanks to my friend Jeff, I finally have it live.  SO…what is this all about?  Well everything I guess but mostly Hang Gliding.  Along the way I will undoubtedly get to talking about something other than flying but I love to fly and now I really get to share it with you!  So here’s to my first post and thanks for checking out my site!

This past August I picked up my brand spankin’ new WillsWing U2 160 hang glider from Lookout Mountain Flight Park.  Previously I was flying a 10M Pulse.  For those of you who don’t know…there is a BIG difference in the performance of a Pulse and a U2.  The U2 is faster, glides further, and gets a better sink rate.  Basically, lots more fun!!

Here is a clip of my second launch.  It was blowing in around 12-17mph and I gained 1000′ right off of launch.  “Elevator to the top floor please!”

Big Ups!!

Below is a pic right after my first landing.  I am in love with this new wing!

If your grinnin' your winnin'

So thanks for checking out the new site.  Stay tuned cuz there is gonna be lots more.  In fact this coming weekend is the beginning of the Tennesse Tree Toppers Team Challenge.  It is a hang gliding comp designed around the idea of teaching intermediate pilots XC (cross country) and competition skills.  I am stoked to go and learn and fly and learn and fly!!  Next year I am planning on attending some of the bigger comps around the country.

Can’t wait.