My name is Jim Hicke, and I have been flying since I was a boy.  I started with model airplanes and took any opportunity I could to fly in real planes.  At UCSD I learned to fly through the soaring club and got my pilot's license.  We flew at Jacumba with the AGCSC and took trips to Tehachapi and a dry lake bed North of Big Bear.  After college I got into hang gliding and had many cool adventures.  I flew in Mexico, Telluride, Hobbs, and lots of places in San Diego.  When I got enough money I learned to fly power planes.  I went all the way to my Instrument Rating in Cessnas before I rediscovered sailplanes.

I found the Russia.  An affordable, easy to fly, easy to maintain, soaring machine!  I love this bird.  She is lively and has an honest >30:1 performance.  I go out to Warner Springs as often as I can with a job and family.