Graduation Day

Pictured here with my FAA examiner.

 Last August (2023) I completed my check ride and received my Glider Pilot License. Thanks to the instructors with the Utah Soaring Association, Lynn Alley and John Gonthier. Over the course of thirty years I have dabbled with the concept of getting licensed, but something always came up to prevent me from following through. The Utah Soaring Association is such a great organization. Four local airports have club ships available for the members! Pretty amazing.

Check out my new album at brucehibbard.com

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NEW MUSIC ON THE HORIZON

 A new music project has been in the works now for over a year. Cloud Street is an instrumental album, including eight new songs composed and performed by Bruce Hibbard. The musician lineup on CS includes, Jon Herrington, Tom Hemby, Mark Douthit, Gene Miller, Bobby James, Alex Rowe and John Flanders. And of course, Bruce Hibbard on keyboards and other instruments. 

Cloud Street is due to be released Fall of 2022.

Bobby James on drums and Alex Rowe on bass laying down the grove.

Jon Herrington 

Strong Randolph Day in Early April

Launching!

Flying the new Wills Wing Sport 3

                                                        

The forecast looked too strong for Randolph initially, but Kevin talked me in to driving out despite the possibility of being blown out. Cal and Dave made us a foursome. Early April can definitely be iffy flying anywhere in Utah, especially Randolph. The snowpack can hinder access. We have had a marginal year snow wise, so there was no problem driving up to launch. 

Cal launched first in his new single surface Falcon. He immediately climbed out to a grand over and was parked facing southwest, which indicated the upper wind was a lot more strong and cross than it appeared on launch.  I followed cal and soon Dave and Kevin joined us. Even though the thermals were exceptionally strong, no one got above 9500 asl (2000 ft above launch). When you have strong upper winds, the drift in a thermal can take you too far over the back. That makes it difficult to penetrate back to the windward side of the mountain. The wind in the LZ was consistently strong and gusty, which provided some entertaining landings and breakdowns. However it turned out to be a great spring opener.

 

Just Reminiscing 

From 2006 through 2017,  I worked for Park City Mountain Resort. The first two years I was a full time Ski patroller. The rest of the years I was a member of the volunteer ski patrol at PCMR, working Saturdays. So many great memories from those days. From 2011 on,  I worked the upper mountain rotation exclusively. The mountain is divided into two sections. The lower mountain, which is primarily novice and intermediate terrain and the upper mountain where you'll find the majority of runs are intermediate through expert terrain. The upper mountain rotation requires teams to perform avalanche control and general snow safely work. This includes handling explosives, and utilizing the many skill sets needed to maintain the safety of the ski area, especially during storm cycles. 

All ski patrollers are required to be trained and certified as OEC (outdoor emergency care) technicians, or have other required medical certificates. Though the majority of skier related accidents occur in the lower mountain area, the accidents that happen in the upper mountain tend to be more serious requiring complicated extrication at times. Most teams at PCMR consisted of four patrollers, of which one is the designated team leader. The team leaders job was to direct the activities of the day and be the glue that bonds the team. I was fortunate to be the team leader four years during this period, with the same  amazing crew the whole time. 

Great times, great memories!

Lovely Evening With Friends 

Randolph in November is a bit rare. The forecast was right on, and I love it when that happens. Daylight is so short this time of the year, but there was plenty enough sunshine to give us an hour and a half of supper smooth ridge lift before the sun started setting. 
 

My New Wing

I just got my new Wills Wing Sport 3. I was actually one of the last persons to order a glider from WW before they closed their doors in California forever. The owners retired and sold the biz to an individual who will be reorganizing and opening a new WW facility in Mexico.

Anyway........glad I was able to get one of these sweet gliders! This photo was taken in August by a fellow pilot at The Crawfords in Randolph, Utah.