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Hangola October 21 & 23, 1998

Yesterday at High Rock I had a blown launch. The damage to the glider is extensive: right leading edge and right cross-bar broken, sail torn in several places. Looks like I will not be flying for several months before I can fix it. I sustained no injuries, by pure luck. The cause of the problem as almost always was pilot error in deciding to fly despite knowing better. I waited from 12:30 to 4:00 for somebody to show up and assist with launch. At 4, instead of packing up I recruited 3 young soldiers who came up for the view. The wind was 18-22 mph according to my vario. I explained the procedure After explaining the procedure and simulating it at the set up area (with no wind and cliff edge, of course), we got to the rock and walked to the edge. The one on the left wing was holding on too tight while the one on the right was pushing the wing away from him. We backed from the edge, and I explained what was wrong. We went to the edge again (too soon) and as tried to launch the same thing happen: the right wing was pushed out and the left one was not really neutral as the person said but down (he supported until letting go). The glider flipped with the damaged already described above. On the drive home I was contemplating suicide as a suitable punishment for my stupidity, but decided it was too light.

Does anyone have spare SuperSport parts for sale?
Alex

As everyone was going to HR I decided at the last minute to follow my contrarian instincts and go to Woodstock. Wasn't bad. 90 minutes, 2k over. Serious west to WSW cross but plenty of lift. The trees are gorgeous. Saw three bald eagles. Hopped over the back and landed in Fort Valley.

Brian Hardwick rallied interest in the Pulpit yesterday: Bob G, Ed R, Tom M, Mike B, me. We launched from the very edge of the ramp into 15g22. Tom ran the ridge (a couple times) to the north and to the south, Mike B and I stayed closer and got up to 1400' over, mostly out in the valley. Mike ran the ridge south at the end of the day with Tom. Bob didn't fly, Brian flew for an hour; the two of them launched Ed later in the day. Tom 2:30, me and Mike 2:00. Ed got :45 and a spot landing.

Judy

Karen, Brian Vant Hull, Eddie Miller, Doug Rogers (from PA) and I flew the Rock yesterday. Jose helped wire us off. He wasn't having the best day but decided to stay around and help us launch. BIG THANKS TO JOSE! My friend Tim, the pilot and helicopter pilot, also helped out. Brian had his longest flight-- 1:30. I got 1100 over and went out to land after 1:10 because my hands got cold. Karen got cold fast and landed after 40 minutes. Eddie and Doug R. each got around an hour to an hour and a half. The fall colors were wonderful and we had some hawks soaring with us. One flew right up to Karen and showed Karen it's belly. Another hawk was tailing Brian for a while. We think it thought that Brian might make a nice small meal-- or perhaps it was thinking of mating ;) Eddie said he had a buzzard flying with him for a while-- a really nice way to end the week.

Matthew (it's time to break out the winter gear, of Karen and Matthew)

Here's the final details:

We've got concrete and a barrel for water loaded in Louis 'Da Man' Truitt's truck and ready to go. We did not get the load of crusher run because the old coot Bob was planning to get it from decided to stop hauling (damn shame, that guy was cheap). We've got Fred Permenter loaded up with rebar and concrete tools loaded up and ready to come supervise.

Best of all, Me and a few others were flying up at the rock, (more about this later) when we come up to fetch my car. I was busy fooling around with getting my glider fastened down when Matt and Karen come running up Shouting and jumping with excitement:"Brian, Brian, you've gotta come see this!" I went scampering over to the rock, and a beautiful wooden frame for steps was sitting there sparkling in the moonlight. While we had been in the air, Marvin had come, worked his magic, and gone.

The steps will be about 2 feet wide, 8 inches high, with three leading up to that shelf of overhanging cement. If my memory serves, it will actually go underneath to support that shelf. Beautiful. You remember how you used to feel as a kid going down on christmas and finding the presents under the tree? That's how we felt.

As for flying, Eddie, Matt, Karen, Me, and someone from Pennsylvania who's name I cannot remember was there. The air was nice and soft, and even though no-one got very high, we all had fairly long enjoyable flights. I got 90 minutes, Karen 45, Matt 70, Eddie, who knows, probably about an hour and a half. Nice evening.

by the way, I've got two gallons of paint, texture mix, and a couple paint trays. See you tomorrow!

-Brian.

Steve,
Thanks for the offer to observe. I hope you and others had a great day. I decided to improve my odds of actually getting to fly by going to Richmond to learn how to truck tow with Steve Wendt. Not too bad a decision since I had the place all to myself. Steve is at the Richmond site most of the time now and will tow any weekday or weekend that he's there -- if the wind is not too unreasonable.

I got six flights ranging from a little less than 1000' to about 1500'. Early morning was lighter wind and aligned more or less with the north-south runway. Later in the day was 90 degrees cross up to about 10-12mph. All were sleds and extended sleds but in addition to learning to truck tow, I also got a lot of good approaches and spot landings.

I guess everyone will be at HR for the work party tomorrow??
Chuck

At 10:41 AM 10/23/98 EDT, you wrote:
>Chuck Pyle, Ed Reno et al: If you can go flying and it looks like a
>reasonable day give me a call. I can ususually get out. Currently
>trying to decide whether to go to Woodstock or HR. Seems like everybody
>is going to HR.

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This page last updated October 24, 1998