Love at First Flight

by Steve Messman

It was a day for flying alone. I was the only pilot on the mountain top; my wife, otherwise known as my driver, shared the view with me. I sat on the mountain side waiting for the winds. It was late in the fall, and the sun was low, even though it was noon. Fireweed and thistles had developed their cottony fluff. In fact, in the next couple of hours, I would depend on those seeds to help me count thermal cycles. Bees were busy gathering nectar that was disappearing as rapidly as the seasonal flowers. Cloud base was lower than I wished, but those same clouds were at least showing promise. Winds were forecast to be good, but as of yet, they were not. I had time, so first I enjoyed nature, and then I inspected my wing. Suddenly, I realized that something was different. Today was backward from when I first began to fly. Those years ago, the wing would have always come first. Nature would have come second, only after I was certain that my wing was ready. So I began to think of the way it used to be. I realized then, that my relationship with my wing had changed.

I know that it was love at first flight. Do you remember how your heart rushed when you saw your wing setting next to your truck for the very first time? Do you remember it like it was yesterday? Do you remember the rhythm of your shortened breaths? The colors of the wing? The sweet smell of the air? The breeze? The anticipation of the excitement that was to come?

Do you remember when you first unfolded your wing? How you used to caress the leading edge? How you used to watch it unfurl and roll in the changing winds of the mountain top? How you used to listen to the crisp sounds of the moving fabric? Do you remember how you ran your finger tips along the entire length of her lines feeling every bump, every flaw? Do you remember how you fondled her harness? How you looked at and touched each and every one of its stitches and straps? Do you remember how you checked her pins, and how you rolled the locks of her carabiners between your fingertips?

Do you remember how it used to be when you and your wing became one? When you joined together in order to enjoy the ecstasy of freedom, of flight? Did you pay strict attention to your partner? Did you make certain that her lines were properly attached? Did you touch each of her connecting points to make certain that each was properly closed? Did you check to make certain that her straps were properly locked around your legs? Did you?

And more importantly, do you still? Do you still have that passion? Do you still enjoy that love affair with your wing? I hope so, but at the same time, I’m certain that it has changed some over the years. Relationships always do. Perhaps you don’t run your finger tips along every line now. Perhaps you don’t thrill at the sound of the crinkling fabric. Perhaps your heart doesn’t beat as rapidly as it used to when you load her into your truck. Maybe you don’t caress her leading edge as often as you used to. Heck, you might even pass gas while you are sitting in the lap of her harness. Your wing, however, does have certain rules. Cheating is definitely not allowed. Believe me. Your wing knows what cheating is, and she knows when you do it. To your wing, cheating means that you become easily distracted when you attach yourself to her. Cheating means you have not ensured that her lines are properly crossed or connected. It means you have not ensured that her straps are properly wrapped around your legs. Cheating means you have not rolled the locks of her carabiners between your fingers. It means you have not done what you need to do to ensure a safe return—together. Your wing will not forgive you the indiscretion of cheating. Your wing may in fact forgive you for passing gas while swinging in her harness, but if you cheat on her, she will dump you in a heart beat—literally. Beware. There are very painful repercussions for cheating on your wing.

Begin now to renew your relationship. Take her out one day when it is raining and spend meaningful time together. Caress each of her lines to make sure they are intact and strong. Fondle her trailing edge and her leading edge. Run your fingertips along her stitches, inside and out. Make certain that they are full and complete. Gaze lovingly at every strap, every connection. Make certain she is healthy, secure, safe. If she is not, then take adequate steps to make her healthy again. Consult with your instructor or your dealer if you are uncertain about how to proceed. And above all, when you are on the mountain top, when you are about to join together to enjoy your passion, never take your wing for granted, and absolutely, positively, never cheat.