On Friday I had the opportunity to test fly a Wills Wing T2C 154 late in the afternoon. I hadn't flown a "large" Wills Wing glider in many years, since it was the Talon. I had flown it at a Wills Wing Party at Wallaby Ranch and it seemed too big to me (at least on the ground) and I had a little bit of trouble landing it.

I had flown the Moyes Litespeed RS 4 which is about the same size (sail area) within the last few months (http://ozreport.com/12.024#6), and had a hard time with it in Rylstone, but did fine with it in Forbes. It seemed a bit big, but that is just my "feeling." Flew a Moyes Litespeed RS 4 the previous season in Australia and liked it.

So I was ready to fly the T2C 154, but I was a bit apprehensive. First flight on it. First flight on my new Moyes Matrix Race harness (more on that later). First attempt at a foot landing after my incident at Mt. Borah. First flight back at Francisco Grande. First flight from this new airport that we went to launch from as the insurance didn't kick in at the Francisco Grande until Saturday. First flight on Chris Zimmerman's cart.

I've put special extra long mains on my harness (more on that later) that allow me to put my carabineer right below the under surface of the glider (and hopefully get my head pulley in slower moving air), so Rob Kells helped me get the hang straps right. I was touch high (higher than I will be on the T2C 144 starting on Sunday).

Launch was a breeze right out of the cart and the glider was steady as a rock behind the tug at 6:23 PM in smooth air. I had Dustin take me to 5,100' (3,800' AGL), where I had an 8.7:1 glide straight back to the Francisco Grande. It was too late for any lift, but I figured that the sink would be neutral as it was almost sundown.

The glider flew just great, very stable on glide even at high speeds (65 mph). Also it was easy to initiate a turn and to stay in a turn. The glider was very predictable in extremely predictable air. I wasn't able to check out how it would feel in a rowdy thermal.

The glider handled my weight (80 kg) well and didn't require any excessive pilot inputs. It seemed to fly like a Falcon or a Sport (in this very nice air). Slight inputs to get it to fly in the direction that a I wanted. I had a 13:1 glide over 5 miles back at 31 mph, no wind.

I saw that there was no wind on landing so I did a long final glide over an open field next to the hotel getting myself in the monkey bar position and pulling in with my feet until I was a couple of feet off the ground. The landings was sweet with a flare and two steps. The glider did not fall off to one side or the other as the bigger Talon had done with me previously.

I'll be flying the small T2C in the meet, but based on this flight I see no reason not to fly this glider, perhaps with a bit of ballast.

I've spoken with many many pilots here at the meet. It is already a great party and lots and lots of fun. I spoke with two pilots who have flown the T2 154 and 144 extensively and also the T2C, one extensively. Both of them say that the T2C handles better at high speeds than the previous version of the T2.

I hope to provide further reports on the T2C 144 and perhaps more on the 154. We'll see how it goes.