Ginger Kroft makes successful solo flight for DaSH Project, Half Moon Bay, CA, February 21,2016 (Photo © Jon Lancelle)
Headed by chief designer Alec Proudfoot (of Proudfoot Design), the all-volunteer DaSH Project first launched its effort in late 2010 to develop an efficiently built, low-cost human powered aircraft (HPA). This five-year process culminated with the first successful DaSH flight, which took place on Saturday, December 5, 2015 at Half Moon Bay Airport in Half Moon Bay, CA.
Ginger Kroft with Andrew Sandwick (left) & Natalie Parker (right) –SF Ballet’s Nutcracker, Dec. 2015 (Photo courtesy of Ginger Kroft)
While it is undeniably a thrill to learn that this groundbreaking research is happening practically in our own backyard, little did we know that one of DaSH’s many dedicated volunteers is our own Ginger Kroft, who regularly performs as a clarinetist with the San Francisco Ballet Orchestra.
Q: How did you get involved in the DaSH Project?
Ginger — “A fellow cyclist, who had volunteered to build the plane, recommended me as a prospective cyclist-pilot. Flying the plane requires significant overall power as well as good power-to-weight ratio, and I just happened to fit that criteria. I’ve now been affiliated with the DaSH Project for 1 & 1/2 years.”
Q: What did it take to prepare for the flight?
Ginger — “My training has consisted of developing piloting skills as well as cycling 12 to 15 hrs per week on the bike (and using weights) to build more physical power. For piloting this particular plane, DaSH has a computer simulator that enables the pilot to practice guiding the HPA with a joystick. A DaSH volunteer has written computer code so that, when I use the flight simulator, it closely mimics the performance of the real aircraft. My other piloting experience includes a lesson in flying sailplanes, and very soon, I’ll have a few flights piloting small aircraft.”
Q: So….how did it go?!
Ginger Kroft prepares for takeoff.Half Moon Bay, CA, Feb. 21,2016 (Photo courtesy of Ginger Kroft)
Ginger — “My actual flight time was 46 seconds. Looking back, this exhilarating experience can best be described as one of significant sensory input that shares so much commonality with the work of a musician. While both require tremendous physical effort, like musicians, pilots must also coordinate time and motion, must manage unanticipated variables and stay extremely focused—all while having the time of our lives!
“As typical of a musician, although I was deeply satisfied with those 46 seconds of flight, I cannot help but mentally replay that critical moment when I chose to land rather than continue. As always, safety is top priority, but just knowing that I can fly much farther is highly motivating. It was truly a humbling, but thrilling experience to fly such an amazing aircraft.
“All in all, it’s worth it to wake up at 2:30am on flight days and to assist in the pre-dawn plane assembly process. Thus far, we’ve had two test weekends at Half Moon Bay Airport. Six different pilots have taken flight, including one woman. After a few more test flights, I anticipate DaSH will attempt to set records!”
So….the flight was a success and here’s the video (by Jon Lancelle) to prove it!
Jon Lancelle – Photographer/Videographer
SFBO double bassist Jon Lancelle volunteered by filming/photographing the event and helped to assemble/disassemble the aircraft.
DaSH Project volunteer Jon Lancelle in the “follow car” to film/photograph Ginger’s flight
“When Jon heard about the project back in December, he wanted to attend the next flight test weekend! He played Swan Lake the night before, then was at the airport at 4:30am — in 40-degree weather. He played 2 more Swan Lakes and, on Sunday, showed up again(!) at 4:30am.
“This guy really likes aviation! Jon’s a pilot, you probably know. He was very encouraging and had a blast!” —Ginger Kroft
Thank you, Ginger, for sharing this exciting story! — SFBO Musicians
More about Ginger Kroft
Ginger Kroft, clarinetist
In addition to performing with the San Francisco Ballet Orchestra, Ginger Kroft is a member of the Oakland East Bay Symphony, Sacramento Philharmonic, and Carmel Bach Festival Orchestras. She has also held positions with the Monterey Symphony, Fresno Philharmonic, and Santa Cruz Symphony orchestras.
Ginger is an active chamber musician and has performed with numerous San Francisco-based groups, including the Bridge Players, the ADORNO ensemble and the Worn Ensemble. She is a member of the International Clarinet Society, League of American Orchestras, Chamber Music America, Music Teachers’ Association of California and the American Federation of Musicians.
An education advocate, Ms. Kroft has taught in San Francisco Bay Area public schools as a clarinet and woodwind coach for over a decade and is a faculty member at Santa Clara University. A graduate of Northwestern University, Bachelor of Music, Ginger completed a Master of Music degree at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, where she was awarded a Departmental Honor.