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Hangola May 23 - 27, 2002

Flight Reports

Lucked out on the weather here. Arrived in St. Hilaire to meet up with the instructors for the 5 day hang gliding trip. We got to fly all 5 days, but none of the days were that good for xc. I'm not crying since I got just shy of 6 hours of airtime in. Flew Laragne, La Batie and Aspres. The food was as good as the flying. It's raining today so I can relax and prepare myself for the 2-day paragliding lesson which was delayed until tomorrow since it's raining today. Christy

Short note since I have to use the French keyboad and that means lloking for the letters. Yesterday was the first day of my paragliding lesson. Got 3 flights off the training hill - 60 feet if that, before moving over to the big hill for my first high flight - over 2000 feet this time. And no, I didn't lie about my experience. This morning I got in 2 flights before the wind and thermals kicked in and we couldn't fly anymore. Eh oui. Christy

Good day at Ridgely yesterday. Lots of folks. Got Skip Brown out. Betcha 89 percent of you don't know him but he has been flying for a million years. Guy drives me nuts -- flys once a year and spanks me every time. Brotto was there too. Same category as Skip. Anyway, I went XC due to my inability to stay aloft over the field like the rest of the crew. Talk about a slow boat. 25 miles in 3 hrs. Highlight of the day for me was a 300 ft save. Yessir you read that right. 300ft. Got a witness too-- Bruce Engen who was trying to work something nearby.

Day before yesterday I went 36 miles to Georgetown. Another 3 hr grind. I am one speedy guy. I think I am getting a massive mile per thousand feet on glide. That's five to one.

Two days before that I went 38 miles in 3 hrs. Getting some airtime anyway.

Decided I have to Paganize my glider. Totally wraps up to the right (don't get anywhere near me). Doesn't want to go left and once you get it banked its there. Forget about recentering. 'course it might fly better if I quit using it to assault paraglider pilots and trees.

I think I may have set a new record today at Fisher's Road. Certainly a personal record of some sort. Managed to log an hour and ten while scoring a soaring flight by a whopping 50 feet over launch. Actually spent most of the flight at 100 to 200 below launch. Got up close and personal with lots of Pennsylvania flora and fauna and I think that I really upset this red tail hawk by chasing him out of his favorite tree so many times. Couldn't have scratched longer and harder if I'd rolled in poison ivy. Took me 30 minutes to pick all the leaves out of my batten ties.

Now before some of you start writing posts scolding me for being careless, let me explain. Cloud cover was thick nearly eliminating any thermal activity so the air was pretty darn smooth. Also it was crossing slightly from the East making the lift on the ridge to the right of launch slightly better due to the fact that the ridge swings around to a more easterly face there. This ridge is also quite a bit lower so I actually was over the top while cruising well below launch altitude. Kind of wondered how I'd make it back to the LZ if it shut down but there were lots of bale out fields. Anyway, had lots of fun with Mr. Hawk and I think I learned some new things, like it's not very relaxing to spend that much time just above the tree tops. I was plenty ready to land after an hour.

Brian VH was my flying buddy today and I'll let him tell you about his first mountain flights with his new K2. I know Sparky flew at Jack's. Where was everyone else?

Hope to see everyone at High Rock this week.

See ya.

Paul Tjaden

I was ranting about nobody posting where they were going on saturday, only to discover nobody posted because nobody went. Just me and Paul at Fisher's. I recant my rant with apologies all around.

Fisher appeared to be blowing in nicely, but if you watched it for a while you'd notice the cross, making Paul's achievement of scratching for an hour below launch level all the more impressive. With a new glider I wasn't about to attempt anything like it, AND I managed to slightly bollix myself right from the start, but all in good time.

I launched first after waiting for a straight in cycle, only to notice myself skating sideways. I had focussed all my attention on the right streamer right before I launched, and when it straightened out nicely I took off. Paul pointed out that the left streamer was actually pretty damn cross at the same instant the right one was straight. The earliest lessons get lost sometimes.

But I made it out and attempted to scratch down the ridge. Didn't want to attempt landing out with a new glider, so wimped out pretty quick and came in to land. Everythng went haywire on final, but got out with only a slightly bent basetube. I turned around to find wind blowing down from the mountain. I watched that damn windsock for the next hour as paul did his scratching thing, and found it switching to downwind about 20% of the time for periods of about 30 seconds to a minute. Didn't notice anything like that when we planted it. With no real thermal activity I'm still not sure what was going on, maybe some kind of rotor from the shoulder to the east (direction of cross).

I went into the woodshop with leaves to bend the basetube back, and when paul landed and kindly offered to run me up for a second attempt I was ready.

During setup I noticed the glider felt a little funny when I pulled down the nose. On inspection, discovered the VG (which I had planned to ignore until I could land well enough to take off the big wheels) was set full on. I had launched and landed in a tailwind with full VG! No wonder things went haywire. Turns out when I was setting it up at Ridgely Tad showed me how to make the tip battens easier to tension if the VG is set. He then naturally assumed I'd take it off again like any sensible pilot with a VG glider. People give me entirely too much credit.

The second flight was much nicer, though I only extended for a minute or so by attempting to scratch Paul-style.

Brian.

I normally try to keep my posts succinct. This one will be more verbose because it is in part an incident report. I promise to keep 'em short hereafter.

Saturday morning I decided to head to Hyner, via Jacks. The forecast wasn't stellar; my main objective was to support Hyner (a great mountain site!) drum up some interest in the High Rock fly-in (another great mountain site!).

I arrived at Jacks to a spattering of rain. Winds were so light that the Zagi couldn't stay up :-( I waited patiently and things dried and improved. Mr. Zagi soared :-) Mitch Shipley arrived, followed by Bob Buchanen. 2 Zagis cavorted in the breeze. After a shuttle, we returned to launch to find many others (too numerous to mention, all very 'special'). Dave 'spoons' Haughwout launched first and sledded. Mitch Shipley was next and had the flight of the day, maybe 15 minutes, several passes, barely above launch. I flew next and sledded. I saved altitude so I could practive my new 'Delta Dragger' fin over the LZ.

The 'dragger' is a fin that doubles as an airbrake. It opens like a clamshell into the airflow. It can be opened and closed. I opened the dragger and tryed a stall and a turn. Things seemed ok. I closed it again. Winds were light N so I set up an approach from the S, thinking I could do my normal "land next to the car" approach (in my Moyes topless), using the dragger. I repeated the classic mistake of overconfidence or: convenience first, safety second.

Thereafter, I observed that the dragger is is a VERY effective airbrake. I found myself sinking rapidly on a perfect descent to the farm road. The landing would have been great, EXCEPT that when I went for the L d.t., I hit the lower R cable with my arm, throwing the 80 lb. blade-wing into a right turn. I tried again and smacked the wire a second time banking even more. The words OH SH_T erupted, I planted my only footstep on the edge of the road embankment and flared from the L rear wire and the R d.t., literally throwing the control bar out of reach. Thank God for wheels and His mercy. I made a 1-point landing and rolled across the road into the grass. No bent aluminum and no significant injuries. Witnesses reported that my wingtip (in the field below the farm road level) did not hit, thus I escaped a ground loop. Fortunately, I sustained a very minor sprain to my left foot which served to constantly remind me of my indiscretion - I'm ruminating on the lessons for future application.

First (obvious)lesson - when using new gear, plan on a generous margin for error. Second lesson: Some gliders have shorter rear wires and thus different 'grab geometry'.

Back up top and extremely happy to be uninjured, I combat-Zagi'd with Mitch, while the remaining pilots lined up, potatoed, then sledded. Third lesson: some hang glider pilots don't appreciate (or even like) Zagis, apart from their value as a wind-monitoring tool. This is a very valid perspective that must be shared with over-zealous Zagi-ists such as myself. Recently sampled opinions at Hyner vary. Please share any Zagi-related concerns so I can adjust accordingly. I sincerely do not want to annoy anyone (perhaps that's impossible ;-)

Hyner was great! The only thing missing was more Maryland and Virginia pilots. Dave Green and I were the only CHGPA/MHGA contingent. As usual it was an excellent time with great people and entertainment. Sunday started out with winds 10-15 NW and early launchers soared. Winds diminished later and a scratch-fest ensued. I relinquished the crowded area in front of launch after 20 minutes of bobbing about in light (50 fpm). I tested the 'dragger' again and managed a two-stepper very near my car. Plug: http://www.infodist.no/deltaeng/

I headed back to launch to assist Dennis Pagen in an evening Paraglider flight and observed a glass-off. While flying my Zagi, I saw Mitch Shipley working his way back up from the lower river-cliff to launch-level.(!) Earlier in the day, Mitch and I had discussed potential and actual HG-Zagi concerns. He related previous experiences of Zagi-HG combat and his successful efforts at 'Zagi-snagging' while flying HG at Marina beach. As Mitch passed above Hyner launch, I presented him with my Zagi (matched alt./heading/airspeed) and he snatched it! He adjusted his grip and re-launched my wing. Re-phrased: a hang glider pilot successfully 'caught and released' a foam RC aircraft while soaring. Not much practical value, but worthy of mention. "1st Hyner Zagi-snag"

'Spark

Hyner was Hyner! All the requisite squares were well filled. It most definitely was soarable, we did have some rain, and there was no shortage of trees massaging gliders. Thursday was 1000's & 1000's and hours and hours of "you can get down if you want but it won't be easy" topped off with a mellow smooth landing field. Friday was a tad strong and changeable with a very unfriendly field. Saturday was Hyner or Jack's, your choice. Sunday was pilot's choice day. you could have your air mellow, tangy, or mild depending on the time of day. Our old friend Mr. A. Luminum arrived in the landing field about 1500 on Sunday and in VERY short order filled his sales book. In a perfectly smooth and mellow field he bagged at least 6 down tubes, two totaled or near totaled gliders, one for sure broken arm ( with scrapes,bruises a concussion, and helicopter ride thrown in ), another possible broken elbow. All in 3 seperate incidents. Mr. Luminum left the field licking his chops.

Other than the late day carnage it was a perfectly Hyner, Hyner. Beer, food, friendship, fun and flying was in abundant supply in whatever order you wished. It was soarable or flyable everyday. It just doesn't get any better......Bob.

>From: "brian stoltzfus"

> Any PG's flying at Hyner?

TWO!

Couldn't have said it better :) What a beautiful site!

Here's some pics.

http://www.ofoto.com/I.jsp?m=37139213403&n=87321332

Jim

The holiday weekend was a tow-park marathon for me.

Saturday May 25

Dan Tomlinson & I arrived at Ridgely to find a surprisingly small crowd. Joe Gregor was flying Janet's Falcon while Janet waited for a tandem refresher flight. Dan & I both set up but waited for late day sweet air since we both last aerotowed mid-summer. Janet got her check-out tandem and did so well she went back up to solo on her Falcon. She was pleased to be flying again.

John Hope flew twice, because his weak link broke at about 1,000' the first tow. Sunny reported it was getting rougher. Bruce Satatis flew his UltraSport and pulled off an impressive recovery and landing after hitting a mean pop on final. All this time surface winds were increasing. Rough launch, LZ popping off, and increasing winds at 5 p.m.? Dan & I bagged it and planned to fly another day.

Sunday, May 27

Jim Keller's declaration that Sunday would be the best flying day of the weekend spurred me to get in gear and head to Manquin. Opted to brush up on aeorotow skills. Tex dragged me up mid-afternoon. I thought I had been too high too much, but Tex said I had been better than most. Only caught a little lift on that flight; call it an extendo. The second tow went better. I was able to hold position behind the tug much better. I also was more successful finding lift. Topped out at 3200' staying aloft nearly 40 minutes. Jim Keller flew a couple of hours, rested a bit, then finished the day with a half-hour flight. Terry Spencer and Chris Cioffi were getting airtime, as Ray Mitchell, Joe Schad, and Holly Korzilius were truck-towing. John Claytor drifted with his thermal, landing over on route 30. Steve Valdez was flying, and I met new to Virginia pilot Reed, who has been flying down in Texas for 18+ years.

Monday, May 28

Well, Keller had been wrong. Sunday was not the best day of the weekend, Monday was. Blue sky with puffy cumies all over. Even more folks there than on Sunday. Plenty of truck and aerotow happening.

My first ride behind the tug only lasted to 400 feet. With an unplanned release I thought I had popped the weak link. Nope, it was the secondary. On the second tow I saw what happened. Pushing out to catch up with the tug when low draped the bridle over the base tube. When I pulled back in the base tube snagged the release sleeve and opened it. I was very careful about this on the second flight.

When I found myself off tow so low, I turned back to set up a landing mid-field. Oops, Steve had already started a truck launch behind me, so I flew over the wheat to the north as Steve sped south along the runway. I had to wait for his pilot to pass me so I could turn to fly behind / under the tow line and land in the runway. All successful, with a nice clean no-step landing.

Billy took pity on me and drove out a launch cart so I would not have to carry the glider so far back to the start. Thank you, Billy. I got back to the beginning, and looked for other tow-pilots ready on carts to go. I saw none, so as Tex landed the tug I rolled into position and went right back into the sky. Found out later that Billy had been ready to go, and I had inadvertently jumped in front. Dang! I'm sorry, Billy, especially after you were so nice to bring me the cart. I was looking for pilots in harnesses. I forget that for the Superfloater you just hop in, buckle the helmet, and hit the sky. I owe you a cold one or a lunch run my next Manquin day.

That second launch was a delight. Tex dropped me in the middle of a thermal at 2500, and I rode it to 2900. On losing it I went back to the NW corner of the field, which is often working. Found a nice one that carried me up and back from 2400 to 3700. It looked just a bit far back from the field, so I left that thermal and came back out to the same corner. At 2000 I found another one that I rode back up to 4200. Even sweeter! Doug Perkins and Jim Keller had been playing around low over the hangars. They saw my new one, joined me, and quickly passed me up, getting up near 5K. You're welcome, guys. Queasy and thirsty, I landed with an hour, another clean no-step into the short runway.

Reed was already on the ground. As we watched Keller, Greg DeWolf, and John Middleton sky out he said with 18 years of flying he was not used to being the one on the ground. Someone noted that those three still up represented over 50 years accumulated (I think the real number is over 70!) Jim got 3 1/2 hours, Greg 2 1/2, and John about 2.

Joe Schad and Ray Mitchell had been truck towing, doing landing work, and Zelda was waiting for late day smooth to try a truck run. Billy had several Superfloater flights, from both aerotow and truck. Jim Kerrigan was flying, but I didn't get any stats from him.

John Claytor proved how badly he has been bitten by the "don't land at home" bug (an artifact of his time at the Flytec Comp, I believe) by going out to land on Route 30 again. Reed volunteered to fetch, and I did not see them again. As I understand it, John landed at a barbecue, and was having a great time getting fed.

Cragin

I went to the Mountaineer fly in. Friday was the best day of course, I wasn't there. But flew Spruce Knob on Saturday. Nobody got high or stayed up long. But a sled from 2800 ft takes 20 minutes. Sunday it was North Mountain. SW early becoming NW later. Hot and sunny. The first pilot off, John McAllister sunk out after 15 min, the rest of us waited a while until things looked better. All pilots in the air scrambled for the LZ after seeing a thunderstorm rapidly expand several miles south. And just as the lift was getting really good. The storm really expanded fast and we all got soaked breaking down. I left Sunday night. MC

OK, I give up, where was everyone this weekend? First only a couple of us show up at Jack's & Fisher's on Sat., then Lauren & I drive to Ridgely Mon. aft. to find a spectacular cumulus filled sky & no one to fly in it.When we left home 2 1/2 hrs. earlier,we knew there was a slight chance of rain but felt it was worth a try.

Arriving around 1:00,we set up and watched Aisha (probably not spelled right & don't know her last name) doing some pattern tows & working on her approaches & landings. Conditions were L & V with the sky looking a little over-developed. By the time we were ready to fly, the wind had picked up to 8 or 10 mph & was crossing nearly 90 degrees from the South.

I launched first into some lively towing conditions but got hit hard around 1000 feet & broke a weak link.I dropped to 500 before finding lift, got back to over 1000 but I was being blown too far downwind so I headed back to the field & sank out. Lauren was a little concerned about the rowdy towing cond.& decided to wait awhile so I replaced my link & headed back up.

Made it to 2500 this time & immediately found lift. Don't know what else to say other than "Man, you should have been there." Easily made it to cloud base at 4700 & had no trouble staying over the field even though there was a strong (20knot) southerly flow at altitude. Just went up for a while, stuffed the bar to penetrate up wind & then went up again. Wish I'd been more prepared, it would have been a spectacular day for my first xc. Unfortunately, Lauren never got up to join me, so feeling lonesome (& exhausted) I dropped back onto the field after an hour & 45. Like I said, "Man you should have been there."

Paul Tjaden

With the forecast for possible showers and cloudy in the morning I was not excited about going to fly but Cragin encouraged me. Got there with sunny conditions and cums in the sky. Wind direction was pretty much down the runway 3-8 mph. A number of gliders set up. Those that tried via truck tow were getting extended sleds. Jim Keller did the first AT and of course was staying up. A number of others towed up including Cragin, Doug, Ray Mitchell, Greg DeWolf, and others, and were getting some soaring in. Finally finished setting up and towed up to 2400 and after released headed back to lift Tex had towed me through. Found a nice thermal and climbed and drifted with it. When I loss that thermal headed for another cumi and found another thermal. Basically flew from one cloud to another reaching a maximum 4900+. Was one of the most enjoyable flights I have had for years! Cumis disappeared and staying up got harder. Landed after about 2 hours to a no stepper. Little later Greg and finally Jim landed. As I got toward 95 there was increased cloud cover but only hit a little rain on the heavy traffic drive home. Thanks Cragin.

- john middleton

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This page last updated May 30, 2002