Back to Main Page Back to Archive 2003

Index to weather maps

Hangola January 18 - 20, 2003

Flight Reports

Gary and I hiked up with the harnesses and it looked pretty good. Blowing in with 80-90% sunshine. Went to the tower to confirm it. By the time that we were ready to launch, it had diminished and gone cross.

Gary got a reasonable cycle but would get little else and received a sledride for all his efforts. I got to launch and the wind backed off all together. I sat for quite awhile. The streamers were calm, cross or tailing.

When I did launch, after losing over the South finger, I was able to extend over the South face of the North finger. Kind of a nice 21 minute flight.

No chance of the road being open tomorrow. Terry

On Saturday, the 'burg was fun, as usual. Eddie, his cousin Shane, RC'r Scott and I were the only 'burgers present. Winds were initially WNW at 20-25 backing off to 15-20 W, then shifting more to the left at 10-15 by evening.

Eddie Miller and I flew HG for awhile. Eddie had one amazing flight - over 15 minutes and high enough (~150') to do a 360. I made some passes on two flights and had 1 sledder. I flew the PG only twice, deciding winds were a bit too strong.

As usual, non-HG/PG intervals were filled with full-contact RC combat.

On review of my logbook, it seems this repeating weekly ritual has been virtually uninterrupted since November.

... I'm surprised I haven't seen more H2s out. can't remember any days when it didn't back off sufficiently for H2 flight by around 4pm. As cold as it may seem, you don't notice it at all when you're hikin' the hill. It's worthwhile practice ... builds credibility with observers, too ;-) ...'nuf said

'Spark (pretty strong out there right now - might go to the 'burg around 3pm to try the PG)

Tom, Hank, Bruce and I hoped that the winds at WS would back off.... They didn't
Terry

Watched the sun set from the hot tub tonight, nursing a martini. Only managed half an hour in the air today, but things could be worse. Lakes and green forest and orange groves stretched out below as far as I could see. I had 2 flights both Saturday and today (we did Epcot yesterday, which I have to say was worse than picking up dog doo and paying for it). Getting too jealous? OK. The bad stuff. The tows are turbulent with the wind coming over the trees, and my second flight my weak link broke. Very ratty air (oh yeah, but it is 70 degrees). Broken lift. And the first day, on the way out to launch, my glider flew off the tow cart, while being pulled by a car, with me hooked in. The winds were just too cross. They crew said they had never seen that happen before, but it was scary as shit and I flipped over and it was really lucky my glider wasn't wrecked. My back got wrenched but I was OK. I heard the pond has an alligator so I can't get drunk and pass out there unless I want to wake up with a big monster wrapped around my leg. But they have a canoe and paddleboat and lots of other toys. I like the commune we live in, too. We eat lots of food and party and are lazy bums. And Lisa Cain (ex-tug pilot from Ridgely) showed up today, too. CHGPA rules! We miss you guys lots though. NOT!!!! Lauren

Hi Guys,

Guess we got lucky with our timing. Flying hasn't been spectacular, but at least we're missing the horrible weather in NVA, and we couldn't work in the snow and cold anyway.Had two flights today. First was an extendo but the second turned on pretty good. Tops were around 3K and I was in my second thermal at about 2,900 but getting pretty far downwind when I had to choose between staying with it or getting back to the field. There were lots of LZ,s downwind but with lift so low and spotty, I decided to head for home. Made it back to the field with only 600'. Too low to find anything so had to land. The forecast for the next couple of days looks pretty good so maybe it will be better then. Wish you guys could all join us. Will keep you informed and I'll ask about the flaming horse shoes for you, Terry. See ya,

Paul

	previous page	back to top	next page

This page last updated January 27, 2003