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Hangola May 2 & 3, 2000

Arrived at launch around 2:00pm. I was still setting up as Tom G. leaped into the air. He got right up and disappeared. Dropped off some vehicles in the L/Z and we could see Tom circling about 1000' above launch. Back up to the top of the mountain in seconds flat, (Thanks Rich). I launched around 4:00pm into nice cycle which got me right up to about 300' over launch. I drifted over to the left of launch and was greeted by a Beauty! Spring air is soooo cool! Nice and solid 800/1000fpm with some 1400fpm thrown in just for kicks, unbelievable!! Took it to 3200' then went in search for some more rising air. Saw Randy, Tom, and Christian circling and going up good, so I joined in and grabbed the bottom of the ladder as they specked out above me. I finally caught up and got a nice view of the valley from 3800'. The rest of the flight was real relaxing with one major sink cycle which everybody managed to hang on, and were rewarded with a nice valley beltch. (Shawn, good thing you waited that extra second or two before launching)! Shawn launched right into the sweet cycle. I decided I had enough and would make an early night out of it, so I headed out to the valley burning off altitude right down for a nice landing. Tis the spring time, and I LIKE IT!

Till next time,
Hope to see you all!
Doug.

Here is another pilot report from Tuesday at the Sac. I played hooky from work and arrived at launch about 2:45 as Tom was preparing to launch. The trees were shaking like LA in an earthquake so I knew it was Gartlanable. I stuffed battens and caught up with old friends while we watched Tom climb out and cruise around in the valley.

Doug suggested we all drop off some cars at the bottom and a group of us headed down. When we got back up it was perfect and Doug took off and climbed right out. It looked bullet proof and I was getting excited. Randy launched and did something I didn't expect; he went down... My heart sank but a second later he caught something and climbed out. I was on launch watching him sink out but when he got it, I was ready. I launched around 4:00 and had a smooth gradual climb out.

I headed over to the house thermal and it was there as predicted. The thermals were smooth and predictable. Some of them were even fairly strong. All together, very nice spring conditions. I played with Tom at the top of the thermal for a while then did a few scream out to the valley and climb back up rotations. I was in the air for about an hour when my velcro on my harness gave way. I had just replaced it and I was testing it out. I need to sew it in with light tread so this doesn't happen again. I can only fly for about 10 minutes without my harness closed before my legs get too tired so I headed out.

The valley was lifting off a lot so it took a while to find some sink to core and get down with. This was my first flight at the Sac this year so I was a little nervous about the approach. I was set up perfectly headed through the gap in the trees on approach when I got turned strongly towards the trees on the mountain side of the field. Thank god I was a little high because I had time to get it around and set up for a perfect landing just short of the road.

Tom soon followed and so did most of the rest of the gang. I had to head out early so I packed up and headed to the top with a load of body rides.

The Sac is definitely fixed......

Christian Titone

4/29 multiple sleds with bob b. taking the cake with an alt. gain of over 7grand. way to go bob! I had to go to a wedding uuugghhh!

4/30 all who came soared. launched around 600 maxed out at 1340 in nice conditions and watched a beautiful orange sun get low landing about 745

5/2 tom doug shawn kenny joe karen christian rich g. bill b. and lenko as launch assistant. launched approx. 400. launch conditions were 10 -15 and pretty much straight in. lost the lift out front and thought i was headed for l/z after leaving ridge at the sock level but grabbed a nice one over orchard and stayed with it.good thermal activity and a bit rowdy low but once over say 500 above smooth sailing in honest 1000fpm to my max of 3850 leaving the lift as not to drift back to far in moderately strong head wind above but as day went on things mellowed and at one point a sink cycle put everyone back down on ridge for a bit but blossomed into magic with launch conditions stfi 10 and widespread lift. left the ridge several times thinking id land but lift was everywhere and just to much fun. finally left at 600 over flying to church out in valley losing only 100ft then vg full on racing to l/z from opposite direction for nice landing in calm conditions about 715. total 3hrs 20 min. everyone who came soared and it was a blast. i had a small camera on my control car and took a roll of film hopefully they will turn out. kellers forcasts have been right on the money and if joe leaves the faucet on hopefully well do it again soon.

RANDY B.

Forecast for light south winds and a reasonable lapse rate induced me to trek up to Fisher. Turned out to be a reasonable day although the best I could do was a measly 1500 over. There was a lot of strong ratty lift and lots and lots of sink. Also the ratty lift was short lived. I would get into something and a minute later it would disappear. I watched haze domes and CUs form and disapate in two or three minutes.

There is a new colt (three weeks) at the main LZ so be sure to check in first before landing there. Also be sure to check the barn (like it says on the sign) because often the house can be closed up with no vehicles but someone is in the barn.

And maybe we should redo the sign to reflect the fact that one of the people named has slipped this mortal coil.

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This page last updated May 12, 2000