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Hangola July 12-13, 2000

Wed. 7/12/00
Redwing Airport
PM start, late this day since cummies popping at 10:30
Understand John Wiseman got his 10 hours and a pr altitude of over 5,000' Congrats!

Doug Rogers had 2 good if frustrating flights but was good enough to pick up Jim Messina who did 20.+ something landing at the last possible lz before the Wharton St. Forest He ventured 2 miles into the woods but found comfort in terra firma after staying at 6,000' seemingly all afternoon.

First there was Newman, the bane of Seinfeld now we have Niehaus :) He's done it yet again folks. 45+ miles, flying over Medford Lakes SSW track then more Westerly landing just .5 mile N of the Bucks Airport (grass strip) NE of Bridgeton, NJ 6,900' in Light NNE wind avg. lift 250 fpm some 400+ I think. Lots o jet traffic close to Philly but vis was great.

I flew in the tug doing photos, Bill U. getting permission from 2 balloon pilots to buzz them so we did, hope the pics come out. Did I mention there is a REALLY large AFB close by? In spite of the proximity of McGuire one can find a good deal of open space to frolic in. Sea breeze kicked in late in the day, very nice.

RS

Had a couple of interesting experiences on this flight. I released at 2000, and steadily climbed to 4000. As I approached 4K, I had a mental goal of breaking that barrier for the first time. I got to 3999 on my Flytec when I peaked. I couldn't believe it! I circled around and picked it back up, and NAILED it. I hit the core so hard and solid that I heard the wires and the aluminum stretch out! Then I experienced what I guess is known as "over the falls" as the next thing I knew, it was quiet, and I was pointed straight down at the ground. I pulled in, turned around and went after the beast. It's interesting to see the Flytec's barograph printout of this - I lost almost 100 feet very quickly. I got back in and held on. Again, I heard the frame creak, and the vario screamed - I looked and it said +800 fpm. I rode that another 1200 feet to 5K where I peaked out and maintained for over 10 minutes. I relaxed here and took in the view. Other than the cummies, the sky was amazingly clear, and the view was spectacular. My previous best altitude was only 3500, and that day was very hazy. This was unreal. I eventually glided down to 2500, then hit another thermal that I rode to 4000. I saw a HUGE shadow on the ground coming my direction - turned out to be one of McGwire's big ones coming towards me, but about a thousand feet below me. I was concerned that I might hit some sink that would put me in any lingering vortices, so I turned 90 degrees towards the field, but out of the thermal I had just finished with. Better safe than sorry. I landed after 1 hour, but it was the highlight of my relatively brief flying 'career'.

Thanks to Bill who called me in the morning unexpectedly to let me know that he was talked into piloting for us all. It sure beat work...

But we did discover that Ric is not Superman after-all. Waiting for Bill to arrive, he was suited-up and on the cart with the towrope in place for about 1/2 hour. No matter how hard he willed it, he didn't quite manage to get airborne on his own without the towplane. 8^)

john

Sounds like a good day all around. 5600 base at Ridgely today. A slow Thursday allowed both Adam and myself to fly. max climb 800 ft/min nice northerly drift, but that everlasting umbilical cord kept us attached to the field. Nice to get in the air again, not to mention a good day.

Chad

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This page last updated July 14, 2000