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Hangola April 4 - 8, 2002

Flight Reports

Smithsburg was open today, so Paul and I didn't have to drive to Kirchner's after all. Rich Hays, some of his students, and George and Dave R. were already set up and flying by the time we arrived.

The wind was gusty, strong, and unpredictable. But all my work launching is finally paying off. My second launch was the strongest one I ever did. I kept my nose down in my run so I didn't take off instantly and I had tons of speed before I allowed Ms. Eagle into the air. It was good I got the popping-up-the-nose-trick worked out a few days ago, because I got knocked sideways as soon as I left the ground. Kind of hairy to be in that wing over position thirty feet up. I wrestled with Ms. Eagle, though, and she finally headed straight down the hill. I even did my first one step landing. My pathetic flare works well in a forty mile an hour head wind (okay, a slight exaggeration). George told me he got smacked with a gust like I did earlier in the day, and that he flew all the way to the parking area before he got his wings level.

I got four flights. Landed on my feet each time (wonder of wonder, miracle of miracles). Thanks, Rich, for your tips last time out.

I could barely move my glider back up the hill. The wind would pin me down from the back and then push me into a run, and then swap directions. I absolutely couldn't have managed without Paul's help. One of Richard's students, Serge (I think I spelled his name wrong) helped me, too. Thanks!

My last flight, as soon as I transitioned to the standing position (in preparation for landing) I hit a thermal or some kind of lift. I was going up really fast even though I was pulling in as hard as I could. I was just about to go prone again so I could get down to the ground when I fell out of the sky. I had three different people ask me if I was scared later, so I guess it looked as dramatic as it felt. They said I lost fifty feet in a few seconds. Only thing was, I knew I had lots of air speed, and when I eased out the bar a few feet up, Ms. Eagle flew the same as always. She just skimmed over the ground and set me down.

The only time I DID get spooked is when I was trying to unhook. My new hang straps are too long and I have to wrap them. I stepped forward and pulled Ms. Eagle's nose down while I tried to unhook with the other hand. She was very naughty and kept trying to fling herself backwards in the wind, but I finally got loose. I figured that it was a good time to quit for the day. It was all very fun.

BTW, Melvin and Nathaniel, the farmer's sons, stopped by to watch while they were looking for their stray goats. They expressed interest in learning to fly. I think we should offer them some free lessons if they really mean it. I'd be happy to chip in a few bucks for someone who lets us use their farm to fly. Any thoughts on the idea?

Lauren Tjaden

Steve, Carlos and I met in the LZ. McAlister and Adam were already on top setting up. Bruce Engen was on the way. Woodstock would be offering thermaling conditions today.

John was first off and scratched to get above launch. Adam was next, and he too, was hard at work! I launched andstarted working trashy stuff in front of the slot. Flew a little farther out and hooked a little one that took me above the top. Lost it while getting into my barmitts and thought I hosed that one, but rediscovered it. Found the correct bank angle, centered and specked out!

My vario was screaming so loud that it went silent! I have never seen things get so small so fast! In what seemed to be just a couple minutes, I topped out at 7300ft msl. My vario was pegged and seemed to stay there! Later, when I looked at my averager, I had 1300fmp! The best climb that *I* ever had!

I think that I got another thermal before heading to the gap, but I really can't remember. Either way, I was on glide and got to watch Homer try to work the lift at the gap. He had buzzed down there and hoped to get high from there. He left the last good bowl and flew south to the knarly one at the Gap. He flew upwind and tried a big search and came up empty. I had 1-1500ft on him and arrived at the gap with 4000ft msl. Perfect timing and I intercepted a cloud that was working. I started turning and my climbrate was inproving as I watched Homer scraping his shadow on the ridge!

6500ft, I went on glide across the Gap. Massive sink and lost 2-2500ft within a mile. The sink subsided to a more reasonable rate and I continued down Short Mtn. In no time, I hit another ripper! Climbed out, went on glide and got to the southern end. The climbrates/sinkrates were outrageous! After a little search, I found one that would take me to 6500msl! All of these thermals were rowdy! With the 6500ft, I went on glide for the rocksides on the southern end of Kearn Mtn. I got there and found only a little bump, but unbelievably, I was still at 4000msl! So I kept going.

Headed for the slides on the other side of the New Market Gap, I hit massive sink crossing the road. I had just flown straight across and made a beeline for the rocks! I figured that if they weren't working, my only option would be to bail over the back. The rocks were burbleling and I was able to scape myself up the face of the Mtn. The drift was very northerly which allowed me to drift over the next slides where the lift was better. I got back up to 4500 and noticed that the drift was very cross. The ponds indicated the wind was coming straight down the valley. I went on glide again with intentions of landing down the ridge somewhere.

I flew over some more rocks near Endless Caverns and found a thermal that was drifting parallel to the ridge. The climb was very slow, but I made it to 4500 or maybe 5000. As I got higher, it started drifting to the S/SE so I went over the back.

A couple of thermals and a glide later, I was over Elkton with aroud 2000ft. Really sore in the shoulder, I was ready to land when I hit another thermal. It was so easy I couldn't help myself. 3-400fpm to 5000ft. Headed South on Rt.340. At 2000, I hooked another one over a factory. I was boating back up when I got passed by a twin engine turbo prop! It was close!! About 300ft...I didn't see him until he was within 1000ft and sorta headed right at me.

Went on glide again, thinking I'd go to Grottoes. Started looking for roads for the retrieval when I saw the landing strip where I have landed before. Figured that I wasn't gonna be able to go much farther, so why not land on a nice strip? It was only about 3mi upwind. While on glide, I looked for the countrystore that I had thought was there. I was mistaken! Shoot!

I got the the Strip and I still had 2000ft. The closest store was about 2mi crosswind. I had to try it! There were bailouts along the way,only I'd have to hike the glider out over fences. Set up my landing approach over the store parking lot and landed right across Rt 33 in front of the Massanutten Ski Resort. So I guess that I've finally done the "Harrisonburg Run" only I came in the backdoor!

2:25... 7300ftmsl Terry

Pretty spectacular day. I made cloud base plus and headed out into the valley under a street that ran as far as I could see to the SE/NW. Made it back to base over 81. And all without a vario -- geefed out on me right after launch. Pretty sweet day. Had to restrain my go someplace instincts as I knew I was going to have to retrieve the mad ridge thermaler.

On my first flight I followed Terry. He went south and I decided to go north. I did gain 100ft right after launch but that was it. The vario was beeping down all the way to the LZ.

I could see everyone staying up so I decided to go set-up again, thanks to Adam for helping out. I launched again there was lift everywhere I did registered 600fpm but that is nothing compared to Terry's 1000 plus. I stayed up until I saw the last glider in the area land thinking it was Steve, but then realized he was already on the ground waiting to go pick up Terry.

I stayed between the fingers in front of launch, in the south finger there was strong and consistent lift. Not bad for a first flying weekday in long time.

Carlos

About five of us were at Ridgely on Friday. Strong conditions. Mitch had an exceptional flight of over 2 hrs on a triangular X-C flight. Some of us thought he must have landed out, only to see him flying over Ridgely hours later. No one else flew X-C. Some didn't fly at all.

John

Headed out for an assault on Ridgley at 9:00 am. I started to become a bit skeptical about my choice fro day off upon seeing the cu at that early hour. On the way down, the sky had overdeveloped with virga (rain or snow) hanging from the clouds.

Got at Ridgley at 10:45. Across the bay, the sky was a bit more broken and the wind was NW @~ 10 to 15. A few folks were taking pattern tows. Mitch Shipley was taking pattern tows on his new Aeros Combat 2. He had driven down to Ridgley just to pick up his new toy. Very clean glider and it seemed to go very fast.

There was a break in the action and I rigged the ExtraLite and then watched it pick up and blow. The sky had cleared a bit from mostly cloudy to about 50% broken. The cu started to coalesce and began streeting nicely.

John Hope showed up with a homebuilt land racer sort of contraption. It employed a 3 wheeled cart with an attachment for a windsurfer sail. John and Adam tuned the buggy and the thing boogied pretty well in the breeze.

Mitch took a tow about 1:45 into a strongish NW getting off at 2K. Wind at altitude was 20 to 25 K. He twisted about till becoming a speck downwind... it did't take him long to get there either. I derigged not liking the gustiness. We waited for the phone call from Mitch for the inevitable pickup. About an hour or so after launch, the damnest thing Mitch comes into Ridgley from upwind. We checked his GPS track. After getting to base at 6K about 5 miles downwind, he scooted crosswind, jumped a street, and worked his way back upwind. Wind at altitude was 20 K. while cruising upwind, his ground speed wa 20 to 25 K making fro upwind cruise speed at 45. That's pretty quick and yet maintain decent glide performance. Pretty impressive performance given the headwind.

Traffic back to Baltimore County was not bad. The wind was cooking though. The lennies lined up in the setting sun.

Danny Brotto

Went to the SAC today. Arrived at 10:20A to find Joe and Karen Gorrie's gliders set up, and a fresh dusting of 3 inches of snow that fell overnight. Joe and Karen showed up a few minutes later. Got real excited on the drive up. The sky was full of clouds and streets at 9:30A, and all the flags along I-81 were showing due north winds 15 MPH+. At launch the conditions lightened up and got cross from the west. Joe had been to the mountain at 7:30A, since he lives right at the foot of the SAC. According to him, it was blowing in straight, soarable, and the sky had not turned ugly yet. Things didn't change until I got there at 10:20A. From then on, the conditions went to crap. Periodic snow squalls travelled across the valley from Line Mountain. A bunch of Windrider pilots (about 6) showed up and left during the time I was there, 10:20A till 3:30P. I was the only pilot to fly. Took off when the sky was temporarily devoid of snow showers above the mountain and in the valley, about 1:30P. Rowdy, unstable air. Lots of sink, a quick trip to a turbulent LZ where the winds were completely west. A complete bust of a trip. I hope Woodstock had better conditions (wouldn't take much!).

Bacil

Plan was to head to the Sac! and be there by noon. Halfway there I got a call from Bob saying it was light and X from the West.....WTF? The call was strong N. Oh well, headed for Ringtown.

STFI at 12 at the Bone. Quickly setup and launched at 1:20PM. Worked light stuff and flew thru 2 snow squalls. Air was choppy but survivable and a little X from the West, sometimes more WNW than NW. Both Tom and Bob strapped their snow goggles on and launched next. We all played around about 1k over until few more snow squalls occurred. Then we got some good old fashion cloud suck. Bar stuffed at the knees at cloudbase still going 700'/min up...Spring flying has arrived! Hung around the ridge a little longer until the snow became bothersome.

Higest gain was 3.4k over and 2:15 duration.

Pilots frolicking in the snow were: Jessie, Bob, Tom, Lloyd, Jim, Norm, Stumphead and another student I didn't recognize. Everyone flew and had fun. Ringtown was the place to be today.

Shawn

Wound up at ringtown with everyone else.

Storries of cloud suck from the landing pilots convinced our H2 crew that we might want to hold off on launching for a while. Eventually things settled down into a pattern of spaced out snowsquals. We all wound up launching between the squals and got some sleds in. Nathan (the unidentified student in the last post) scratched around for a few passes before sinking out.

Had to add "brush off snow" to our preflight :)

Lots of people showed up yesterday. Great time by all. I launched 46-60min. behind the first. Almost gave up on XC due to the Mtn being shaded in. Ended up with a flight that was very similar to the one I had on Thursday with only a couple of exceptions.

The first one came at the New Market Gap where I arrived on glide from the Short Mtn. Knob. I got there a little higher and found a thermal right in the middle of the gap. Went to base where I found myself on a huge street that went right over the Blue Ridge at Stoney Man Mtn. I figured that Tom McGowan had surely taken this route and considered it myself. I was too cold at Cloudbase to even consider being at 7500ft for any extended lenght of time. I chose to continue thermal hopping crosswind down the ridge.

The second exception was that I was able to get higher during that last half of my flight. I had gone over the back at Endless Caverns again and got to Elkton with 4000ft where I thermalled back up to Base drifting slowly to the Blue Ridge. My cloud started sputtering and I was in search mode hoping for lift to drift over the back with. Losing alot of altitude approaching Skyline Dr. I was beginning to worry. My only bailout was a puny ugly downhill field that was nestled behind a rotor monster mtn. I was going over right at the gap for Rt 33. My indecisiveness was almost grave. Turning in "sucker pops" I lost more altitude in my desperate search for more. I went over at High Point with only a few/several hundred. Long, shallow, and cover with trees, I began to question my sanity as my glider flew into sink.

Just as I began to have horrible thoughts about descending into the rotor, I flew into a thermal. With a few of turns I gained enough to relieve the stress. I lost it quickly and didn't chance losing more altitude in another fruitless search. I went on glide.

A couple more thermals and I was drifting into Charlottesville airport. I went crosswind to land at Ruckersville. I could've gone a bit further, but was cold and my fingers had suffered enough.

Steve, on another long HG day, drove down to Charlottesville to get me. I owe him BIG TIME, but I believe that one or two times that he's turned loose... I'll be "paid in full"

Later, we discovered that Tom (showing more sense than me) landed at Elkton. Adam Arkfield, who came down the ridge after I did, must've taken the street that I passed up on and flew to Lake Anna. Congratulations to Adam for an incredible flight. How he was able to endure the temps at cloudbase is beyond me!

Terry

I had driver duty so I just flew around had fun and listened to the radio. A good portion of the time I was flying around in streets that extended over the SNP. There was enough of a north cross that even if you took one right from launch Dulles was not a problem. So how come you guys are putzing along the ridge at maybe in your dreams 10 mph at the height of the day, thermalling up to streets, rejecting them for more putzing south? Huh? Yes, the street can die and you can sink out. But ridges can be difficult as hell on a thermally day -- especially if it is cross and there is no ridge lift to speak of. Whole sections shut down and you have to find someplace that is working fast. Take a street and your groundspeed quadruples -- maybe quintuples. Plus, you guys are ignoring geometry. You fly two sides of a triangle and measure your distance by the third. Incompetence!. I have no choice but to smoke all you turkeys the next time I get a chance. :)

Now he tells me!

There i am puttering after the big boys in my little spectrum, going north to strasbourg and then south to land in Mt. Jackson

Steve.... grrrr...

-- ellis

Steve Kinsley wrote: Great flight Ellis!! ps. How did you get back? I got your phone message but I was already half way to Charlottsville and wouldn't be back until late.

thanks, but I should have gone downstreet. :-)

two local boys picked me up and initially were going to deposit me just before Woodstock, but then were so enthralled by my hang gliding stories, that they took me all the way to launch (where my car was) :-)

those two were worth the trip themselves. reminded me of some characters in those old 70s dope movies. old beat up car, beer and soda bottles ankle deep in the back, shag upholstery... the driving boy was seated so reclined he was almost lieing down. the driving boy had been there and done everything - even hang gliding (yeah right). You could tell the passenger boy hero worshipped the driving boy (btw, the firetower is at 17,000 feet), despite passenger boy being quite bright. But both of them seemed to be good kids, if a little weird. Heck, they gave me a ride all the way to launch! (uh, a hang gliding pilot calling somebody else weird... isn't there some saying that involves a kettle?)

I love XC. :-)

Matthew and Karen were so kind to drive back to Mt. Jackson with me to help me put my glider back on the car. I love my Xterra, but short pilots should not get Xterras.

-- ellis

BIG CONGRATS TO ELLIS TOO-- 21 MILES!!! I had Observer duty and was planning to throw Frank (of Frank and Connie) off for his first solo mountain flight at the end of the day. No XC for me. But I did manage to get up to cloud base (6300 over launch) a couple of times and flew upwind past I-81 and then halfway again to the next ridge. I turned tail when I got down to 4k over and started to get snowed on.

Unfortunately, it never backed down at launch enough to throw Frank (and unexpected H2 Chris) off. And I and the rest of the bagwingers didn't get to fly our PGs. But just about everyone else in the world flew and soared and froze-- Karen, Craig, Bruce Engen, Homer, Randy, etc. Mark C. returned to the mountains too. And a guy from Daniels flew at the end of the day and had his camelback drip during flight. He landed with a 6 inch icycle sticking out from his harness.

Matthew (what happened to Spring? of Karen and Matthew)

Actually, a couple of bagwingers flew in the morning and landed because of the turbulence.

I was one of the late arrivals Saturday at Woodstock, reaching the LZ at noon. A paraglider pilot had already flown and was packing up in the LZ. He reported only 6 mph at launch, but very rowdy air. Bruce Engen drove up, and Mike Chevalier arrived. The three of us buddied up to launch in Bruce's Explorer. Matthew and Karen met Mark Cavanaugh for the other late carpool to the top.

Lots of gliders already set up, and flying had begun in earnest. Radio reports were cold, rowdy (Greg DeWolf lost his sunglasses en route to cloudbase). I helped Daniels owner Roger Rittenour launch his protege H2 Pat, flying a Vision, then suited up to get into the air behind Roger. Others got into big lift. I found the thermals on the ridge tricky to stay in. Best I could manage was 700 over launch. I as bundled up in all the layers available, and glad to be so in the very cold air. To the north several pilots were flying in snow at altitude. I rolled out of the tricky lift and worked out to the LZ. The wind sock had blown over, but, what luck! Two pilots already on the ground were jogging out to the center of the LZ to set it back up for me. DUH! No, Gary Smith and Greg DeWolf were rushing out to be in good position with their cameras. Greg stood right next to the downed sock for a good view. I had set up too low, but came in with good speed. On the short final I successfully completed a clean no-step flare to my belly, which Greg dutifully recorded. THEN he and Gary resurrected the sock. Thanks, guys. Oh, that flight was about 46 minutes, ending a few minutes after 3:00.

By this time, it appeared that Karen was the only one left at Launch. I recruited Chris Snow to ride back up with me so he could return my van to the LZ, after helping Karen and me launch. We found a Nigel Dewdney and a gaggle of frustrated paraglider pilots watching the still strong winds. Matthew landed and returned to the top with Frank and Connie, hoping to help Karen launch and then possibly Observe Frank and Chris off. Chris was no longer essential as wire crew, so he made a quick round trip to the LZ to leave my van and fetch his glider. I lined up behind Karen on launch. She got off at 5:47, and I followed her by less than a minute, giving her time to clear the slot. I found better lift along the ridge on this flight, but still had to work carefully as the thermals bumped around. I also was a lot colder this time. Pat and I shared the ridge at about 1,000 over, Roger was another 500 to 1000 above us on his TRX, and Karen stayed in warmer (maybe) climes down close to launch altitude. Karen and I both repeatedly radioed Matthew that Frank (no mountain flights) and Chris (1 Jack's flight) did not belong in that air. They were disappointed, but safe. Matthew gave up on his bag option, too. As 6:30 neared, Karen was already down, and Pat and I headed out to keep enough light. He landed, and I followed. Set up too low again, darn it, and this time had no choice to bring it in the middle of the herd. Loud YEHAWW got the calf's attention as I headed at him, and ended up chasing him a few yards until I wheeled it in to be sure we did not come into contact. Dang! That was two bad (even if safe) landings in one day! I logged 48 minutes on this flight.

The trees were bare, the air VERY cold., pilots flew in snow. This was the coldest flying I have done this year. Winter in April - who'd a thunk it.

Cragin

Fcst was for STFI @ 10 but it ended up more SW @ 15. Somewhat textured air with sometimes punchy thermals and sometimes persistant sink. Pilots flying were Jesse, Bob, Shawn, Joe, Karen. Times close to two hours, altitudes about 3,000' over launch (4500' MSL) Jesse and Bob to Grimes airport......Bob

Seven of us flew, five of us soared and two had sleds. Once above the ridge, conditions were alot of fun. Thermals offered decent climbrates, the valley out front was buoyant. the temperature was pleasant and low saves were to be had. Greg won the day, getting higher than anybody else.

Terry

You've gotta ask Greg, but I think he said 5000msl. I got a couple grand over and left because of the turbulance at that altitude. I could only fly for an hour anyhow. Seemed like good conditions to go downwind

Terry

OK, the forecast for Sunday was looking a tad warmer. but also south winds. Since the Manquin runway is N/S, seemed a great opportunity to go brush up on those landing skills I had demonstrated so poorly on Saturday. Arrived about 12:30 to bright blue skies, rowdy air, switchy in the field. Good crowd was there to enjoy the day. Ray Mitchell was visiting, but he is grounded until June 1 recovering from rotator cuff surgery (not HG - related).

Jim Keller, true to his own forecast, was there to enjoy the high lapse rate. He had Tex tow him up and he stayed up. Jim does that, you know. I towed up to about 850, and found a bit of lift near the pond. That got me to 1200, but not much better. That flight was an extendo of about 9 minutes. I went right back onto the truck, but flew through two rowdy thermals fairly low on the run. The second thermal caused a weak link break at about 450. I did find some lift, but turned too aggressively in it and was not successful in staying up. Let's call that flight 5 minutes.

Chris Cioffi landed and reported having pinned off the truck at about 1000 into a thermal, which he rode to 4900+. Go, Chris! John Claytor took a truck launch, and had the same weak link break as I had at about 500. However, he worked the thermals better than I had and got up, way up.

I went for my third truck run. This one we timed right. The pull was smooth, no pops from thermals, and I pinned off at 1150. Found my first thermal and reached 2400. Cool! drifted back down to 1900 and got another, going to 2500. Neat, better than the first one. Slipped out of it, but found it again, and just kept going up. Reached 4500. I was getting pumped. Rode the sky back down to 1650, watching Keller and Claytor all over the sky. Found one more good thermal at the pond and drifted back past the golf course up to 4850. Keller came over below me and immediately got above me. With both of us well over 4500 we watched a twin engine turboprop commuter fly right under us at about 3K. Interesting view. Jim ended up over 5k. My 4850 was tops for me - a new Manquin personal best, including aerotow launches! Landed at 58 minutes.

All three landings were clean no-step to short run outs. Much better than Saturday. I did, however, make the third approach a bit lower than I should have. I'll work on that some more. I was also not nearly so bundled up as the day before. It did get pretty chilly up high, but well worth it! We'll call this one a Spring Day!

Cragin

Lots of wings and things showed up for a fun day at the hill.

One unfortunate incident left a powered paraglider wing damaged, but luckily the pilot was uninjured. I didn't see it, but I guess his wing collapsed ontop of his engine. He seemed to take the loss well (it can be fixed). Sorry dude :(

Switchy winds throughout the day ranging from SE to NW and from 0 to 10 or so. When they came up the hill or the spine, they were great. Some bumpy thermally type stuff helped out too and helped pop some of us above launch. Lots of bumps and fun for those that flew them.

2 1st day students showed up with Bill. Both flew, one till sunset. A couple H1's worked on learning thier skills and 3 of us H2's sledded the day away. An instructor flying a tandem falcon solo and his wife in a sting.... sorry guys, I'm horrendous with names.

Even Bill got some hops in today (love that daylight savings!). It was a fun day at the hill :)

Sheila Gardner, Doug and I flew Fisher's on Sunday while Mark taught Bridget how to wire crew. We were joined by Pete Lehmann and two of his friends, Joe, Mark Cavinaugh, Carlos, and others.

Conditions were relatively warm perhaps reaching 50, with blue sky and some cirrus developing as the day progresses. The winds were fairly strong and tended to chop up the thermals. Pete and crew went first, skyd out and headed for the hinterlands. I was in the next group along with Mark Cavinaugh and others. I got a quick 1000 over where I seemed to hit a ceiling.

I spent a lot of time playing in the band between +1000 and -150. After watching the carnage in the new primary I was determined to make it to the comfort of the big field at the end of the ridge. On my third attempt I did, using Mark as a guide. My first ridge run/XC at Fisher.

Mark and I landed out near each other, Sheila got over an hour, Bridget gets the job as official "pusher." For those of you who don't know Bridget, she's Mark and Sheila's 8 month old pilot-gonna-be.

Dan T.

Good day at Fisher's. Waited for the gusts to not be hititing 25. Nice low cycles between but waited with the new glider for consistent winds. Did not matter. The Fushia Flame is easy on launch. I even had to recruit a baby for the right wing. The glider is so good she did a wonderful job. Baba is up. Gogo is neutral. Wah is down. Smooth out of the slot. A little bumpy at first but I think those were the conditions. Turns like a dream. Hooked a couple of thermals to 1000 over. Went to play with the others hanging out on the ridge to the right and they all bailed for the main ridge. Came back and got smoked by a double sink hole. Did not want to scratch too low in the new glider so I headed out for scarey landing. Basic aircraft approach but with switchy winds my downwind became a tree assault. Glider wanted to kill that tree bad. Had to go full left and all the way out to get it to turn away from the tree. Recovered from that and went final, had it on the deck and slowing and proceded to have a wimpy flare. Not wanting to wack, I started running full speed to get under it. It worked but winds weathervaned me to that downhill to the right. Ran about 50', lost some speed and finally tripped and bellyed it in. No damage except ego.

Thanks to Mark Gardner (and Bridget)and George Tudor for wirecrewing and retreival.

joe (did I blind anyone by flying over them?)

I tried to have my first mountain launch at Woodstock on Satuday but Matthew said it was coming in too strong so I didn't get to fly. So we went down to Manquin, VA since we were in the area to see about there truck towing and maybe get to do some aerotowing. Steve was way too busy. Lots of gliders there on Sunday. George called and said if I could make it to Fishers, Mark and Sheila Gardner would observe me doing my launch. We were in Manquin, VA around 2:15 when he called. We made it to Fishers around 6:00. We went about three hundred miles. I set up and didn't have any time to think. I had already seen the landing field with Sheila and Mark before. It was blowing around 10. I did my pre flight (5 times) and was ready to go. Connie was more nervous than I was. I told her goodbye... lol George said I had a great launch. I was only on the hill for about three minutes at launch then it calmed down and I launched. I then flew to the right for a little ways and then I thought it was time to go in. I could not hear George on the radio when he was telling me to turn towards the LZ.... I was really pumped like you wouldn't believe... All the hard work and time spent learning has finally paid off... READY TO GO AGAIN...... Still have alot to learn.... Thanks to everyone for your help... Thanks to Sheila and Mark for obsreving Sunday... George and Joe too!!! and another guy but I can't remember his name. THANKS RICHARD I made it.. :):):)

We had a moderate crowd - Dennis Pagen, Ron Dively, Jim Messina, John Vogelson, and one more guy that I missed the name on. The Zagi flights upon arrival (1 PM) confirmed a strong (40-80 degree at times) cross from the south with not too much thermal activity yet. Straightened up a little as the thermals started developing. Dennis was intending to take a 2 PM check ride sled as a test flight for an Xtralite that John ended up buying that day, but couldn't resist the thermal out front that took him to a grand over. The day had promise. I launched my brand spanking new Combat 2 around 3:30 and battled south down the ridge. No good ridge lift due to the cross, but thermals were 300-500 up to 3400 MSL. Tough to make headway into the increasingly cross headwind. Others launched and had a mixed bag, with most succumbing to the cross conditions after short flights. After about 5 miles I decided that battling south was a deteriorating proposition and turned around. Amazing what a little 15-20 MPH tail wind will due to get you back quick. Past launch and waved at Dennis in the air. I thought he would follow, but had no radios to discuss the plan. He elected to leave early to get things done before the trip down to Wallaby and Quest. I had other plans for my new glider, screw getting ready for future flights. Easy going Northeast up the ridge. Lift was 400-700 fpm now and 4000 MSL the highest I remember. Crossed Lewistown gap without even slowing down and did pretty much the rest of the ridge dolphin flying at 3-3300 MSL. Just thermaled in the strong ones you can't resist, but usually only gained 300-400 feet before pressing on. Got to the end around 5:45 and worked one to 3400 MSL and over the back. Got some lee side thermals of 100-300 fpm and then went downwind dribbling in the decreasing lift past Vicksburg. Landed at 6:20 for 56 miles from my turn point south of Jacks. It's fun to have a new toy and I'm very happy with everything about the new glider.

I'm heading off to the FL meets today with Dennis. If anyone needs anything brought back from down south, e-mail me and I'd be happy to haul it back. I'll check my e-mail periodically.

Mitch

Good training day towards H2 at Taylor's on Sunday. 9 Flights (boy are my arms tired) and some really good spot landing practice. After overshooting the spot by about 150' on the first flight of the day, I nailed it within 15 feet on the second attempt. Then the wind started playing havoc...launching in a L-R cross and then switching between 45 and 90 degrees in flight. Landed downwind on one attempt, had to roll in. Next flight winds switched 90 degrees again and basically flew to the right parallel to the hill into unchartered territory. Nailed a spot landing within 5 feet of the spot and then went back to playing guess the wind direction on final. Got one more attempt at the spot and popped it in about 10 feet from the spot but nary another attempt due to the wind. John says I'm ready for my H2, so hopefully I can get conditions to allow me 3 straight attempts at the spot. Very proactive training day all in all allowing great crosswind takeoff practice and forcing me to watch the windsock before turning final to try and outguess the Wind Gods. John had 4 other students that were all able to get flights from halfway up the hill by the end of the day. Conditions weren't easy for them, but they all did pretty good.

Batman

Lots of pilots at Ridgley on Sunday. Small thermals, but work and you were rewarded. Tom M. , Dave P. and I followed Rick Niehaus downwind from 4000 ft. I hit the deck after a 5 mile struggle, Dave got about 6.5, Rick only wore thin gloves and his hands were freezing and chose to land at home in Sasafras. Tom got 38 miles. MC

Paul and I arrived at Ridgely Sunday soon after it had thawed enough for the Dragonfly to tow; we were among the first folks there. However, although I set up, Sunny and Chad said it was way too rough for me to fly. I had scared everybody a couple weeks ago trying to land (oh, I was very high) when the air was quieter than a cat stalking a mouse, so I had to deal with the consequences. I judge angles about as well as a parent judges their teen's propensity to indulge in premarital sex.

Unfortunately, it was also too early to drink. So, I just hung out and bothered everyone lots. Some of the pilots had good flights -- soaring XC for miles - and some landed before the tug. Paul was one of those beating the tug to the ground. He launched well, flew well, and handled a weak link break with aplomb, but he did come down like he had concrete strapped to his ass -- every time.

Ric got one of the good flights. Amazing how he's always so lucky, just like Tom. I wish I could be lucky like them. I wouldn't need to develop my skills then.

And I can't believe he (Ric Niehaus) flew home. He's such a jerk. I'll bet he had his wings rolled before he landed. I can only dream of flying that well.

About 5:30 I told Chad I was planning to break down, but to my surprise, he asked me to wait. I ended up doing 4 patterns. Okay, one landing I was high and ended up pretty long. Further, my success foot landing is still chancy, like winning the lottery (rare, but sweet), but I mostly nailed my spots. Right by the sock. I might be able to do this. I'm ready. Oh, please, I gotta fly a mountain soon.

It was so fun. I can't even sleep after I fly. I'm pathetic. I just stay in the glider, all night long, even if I'm exhausted, banking and rolling and breathing fast air. I about fell asleep riding today.

And I need a new name for "Ms. Eagle". That is way too staid for her. Suggestions?

Lauren Tjaden

A Bruce day. Bruce Engen, Pat Knight and I arrived around 2:30. I sat on launch waiting for one of the short launch windows then let Bruce on expecting him to have a long wait to launch. Just after ready on launch, the winds smooth out and off goes Bruce, with no vario. Pat and I decide, after waiting another hour, to bag it. Bruce got over an hour. It was his day.

Joe

I was the 3rd to launch after Jessie and Bob. Wasn't able to find much ridge lift immediately and quickly got below launch. I started to head out and found a nice little thermal that got above launch and I continued to work hard to stay up. About 1/2 hr later another sink cycle came thru which I wasn't able to survive. I never like to get low at 501 no matter what conditions are present.

I easily had the horse farm in sight but I decided to land at the camp ground because I saw many people there and knew I could get a ride up...big mistake. I always feel you should land safe before convenient but I didn't do that on this flight.

I've flown 501 I think more than any other site and landed at the camp ground on many occasions. I never landed my Fusion in the campground and if you been there lately, the LZ has many obstacles and is small. I figured with a SW flow I would have no problem landing in there safely even with the glide of the topless and the restricted landing space. Never had a problem before...piece of cake, or so I thought!

As I was ready to do my downwind approach, I search the field for any signs of wind...no streamer and no flags but I figured since it was SW on the ridge it would be SW on the ground. As I was about 100' agl, I ran into a thermal. It would've been nice to encounter this thermal on the ridge a few minutes before but here I was going up and trying to turn downwind. I wasn't able to get the glider to turn, the air was too trashy. Before I knew it, I was over the ball field at about the same altitude...not good. I then decided to do a 270 deg turn and land towards the East. I figured this would be downwind but it was the only choice I had. As I was making my turn I must've hit the back side of the thermal because I was sinking fast. I was able to make the turn and head up the field but I came very close to the pavilion. Too close. As I was heading east, I could tell I had a headwind! This was a sure sign I was landing in the middle of a mama-do thermal if the ground direction was East and it was X from the West in the air. After landing, the wind was again coming from the West.

I guess my 1st mistake was not landing in a safer field. It was early afternoon and I should've expected the campground to be less than ideal for landing. The campground is maybe OK for late afternoon landing but it is still small for advanced gliders. It can be done but there is little room for error. My 2nd mistake was maybe being complacent. I should've concentrated more on my approach than letting other things distract me. I could've damaged a nice pavilion.

Shawn

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This page last updated April 11, 2002