Tom Banko
opens new vistas:
the skies of Australia!

October 19, 2007, Australia 
by Cyclops (Chris)   <==Click for bio of author
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Tom Banko is sixty-seven years young, born in Yugoslavia to self-professed peasant stock.  As a child did the jump from the fence, gate, shed, and then house thing. Tom was an aviator. 

Let's now jump to his life here in Adelaide (suburb, Royal Park). Tom just finished his paraglider course, gets up a few hours and sees the hang glider pilots getting more time in the air than the paras; so he speaks to me--and sooner rather than later--Toms off to a flight school (Dynamic Flight of Trawalla in Victoria) and by early October (September 29 to October 6 ) Tom is a certified HG pilot; so we do the talk and then its time for the walk Oct 16 we arrive at a well known site on the coast to find it just
right however no senior pilots on site, so we do the waiting thing
[http://www.magikbirds.com/pictures/284-DSCN4730A.jpg].
 No one else shows, so we go of for a drink, food, and toilet stop. 

We go back to the site a little later and its on, but now too strong for a first flight (coastal, as Tom's flight instruction and course was at an inland site).  We stay and
watch the others fly; Tom learns a bit by visual intake, and we go home.  

Tom pays a visit or two over the next couple of days, but still no flights. Then
in my company and with help from one of our best coastal flyers--Dave, the
plumber--and assistance from one of our best female pilots (Helen, the
botanist) Tom did--on 19 October--have his virgin flight: coastal South
Australia at Ochre Point. He had a great launch  with good control; he took several passes (soaring ); he came in for a really good beach landing.

Dave re-flew Tom's wing from the lower edge up to the launch area; and Tom had his first climb up the face to the top. Dave and Helen each took to the air and Tom had time to get over the thrill of his flight to consider what had just happened to regain his composure and to ready himself for another flight.

Soon Dave and Helen came back to earth and prepared Tom for a second flight. Again a great launch with good passes and excellent landing. The only problem was when he went to prone the first time: It wasn't for long, as his visor on his helmet blocked his forward view; the visor was taken off and thrown in the bin. A great result for Tom and
flying here in South Australia.
 

The aeronautical work of Lawrence Hargrave (New South Wales. Public Instruction Dept. Technical Education Branch. Bulletin), 37 pages., Government printing office. B0008CB162