Riding the Colorado Wave in a Long EZ

When your talking wind shear, rotors, and the wave some pilots might think it’s a good time not to fly but the rare few see it differently. Staring at the hand built ultra light aircraft with toy like propeller, fuselage marked experimental, and just enough room for two, I was hesitant about flying over the continental divide at 18,000 feet.

Sometimes a rare opportunity presents itself and you either take it or not. I’ve flown in glider, biplane, and skydived but I’ve never been in an ultra light aircraft designed by world famous aerospace engineer Burt Rutan. The aircraft of interest is called a Long Ez and piloted by Ian Huss. Although I had just met Ian about 30 minutes before squeezing into the passenger seat I sensed a coolness only seen in the most experienced of pilots.

Perhaps it was the 1,000 hours he had already logged on the Long Ez, his experience flying over the continental divided in a hang glider, or, his otherworldly tale of icing up in a cumulus cloud while flying a hang glider in South Texas. Ian is an anomaly of sorts. Kind of like one the greatest pilots you never saw. He posses an element I’ve seen in high level mountain climbers and others who not only have a sixth sense for what they do but also a boatload of experience to back it up. Flying in the Rockies is pretty much as dangerous or safe as the pilot. You really need to understand and know the wind.

Ian is a machinist by trade whose eye for detail transfers nicely into maintaining the hand built aircraft. Considering the Long EZ ultra light can handle up to 12 G’s and we would be following a route he’s flown approximately 400 times I let go of my fears and accepted the opportunity to fly over Rocky Mountain National Park, Indian Peaks, James Peak and Winter Park, Colorado. I would have been a fool to let this one slip by.

The opportunity presented itself as I was visiting my friend Corwin in Eldorado Springs outside of Boulder. I had just arrived when he received a call from Ian. Partway into the conversation Corwin asked if I was interested in a flight. My initial reaction came with reservation but I felt it wouldn’t hurt to take a drive out to the Longmont airport and at least look at the aircraft. Corwin is a pilot himself and fly’s a motorized hang glider contraption of sorts known as a Trike. He’s known Ian for awhile and has utmost trust in his ability.

It took me a good half hour or so of talking to Ian, looking around the his hanger, and inspecting the aircraft before I could finally decide. Ian doesn’t believe in talking people into going up with him. He’s straight forward, gives you honest answers to your questions, and allows an individual to make their own decision as to whether or not to fly. As is usually the case, I often times go through a process of weighing the pros, cons, and questioning whether or not I really want to do a particular activity before moving forward. I knew I really wanted to go and was convinced it would be safe enough for my liking. All I really had to do was squeeze into the seat behind the pilot and trust in his ability so I did. Once belted in, anxieties turned to excitement.

You never really know what the ride into the mountains is going to be like. Since there was a large cloud formation known as a wave, resting along the front range, Ian expected it could be pretty rough for a portion of the flight but more or less promised calm winds once over the divide.

The take off was very smooth and the plane felt remarkably solid and robust. As expected we hit some turbulence and one air pocket in a wind rotor got my attention but for the most part it wasn't bad at all. It was calmer than Ian expected. We then entered into a nice updraft and ascended rapidly, as smooth as an elevator ride, into serenely calm air. At this point we were riding the wave around 17 to 18,000 feet. When flying at such an altitude, in a non pressurized cabin, Ian has an oxygen system to insure mental alertness.

Once we were over the mountains I really began to settle in and soak up the views. The peaks in the region are all around 12 to 14,000 feet. Many of which I climbed when I lived in Colorado. At first we made our way over Rocky Mountain National park and Longs Peak which was fully encased in winter snow. From there we worked our way south. I could see Grand Lake to the right and pointed summit of Spearhead to the left. Further along we observed Navajo, Arapaho, and Apache peaks. Winter Park with its ski slopes to the right and broad valley below Devils Thumb fondly reminded me of the hundreds of joyous kilometers I’ve skied there. Rollins pass came up to our left and Ian told me of the times he skied over it. When we got to James peak the sun was dropping low in the southwest. Spindrift was blowing off the summit cornice. The contrast of cloud and light bouncing of snow looked like a dreamy explosion of softness. No, we hadn’t run out of oxygen. I just lost myself in the moment. “So, this is why people do this”, I thought. Absolutely beautiful.

Needless to say, for me, flying in a Long EZ over the Colorado Rockies was quite wonderful and special. It’s rare that these kind of opportunities arise. Especially when your not a part of a flying community. You really need to know someone. As is customary, after flying with most private pilots, I happily chipped in for gas and thanked Ian for a great experience.

Thanks again to Corwin and Ian. Hope to meet up with you again at the Longmont hanger.

(Below are some photos. Ian is the guy with the funny red hat)