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Hangola October 31 and November 1, 1998

The flock flew again at Woodstock yesterday (Sat) and were treated to many hours of soaring, beautiful Fall colors and an early moonrise. It was mostly crossing out of the North all day with some occasional serious gusts. I didn't launch until a little after 3:00 and got hammered by the cross as soon as I cleared the slot. The air was pretty damned ugly until I got 500 over and then it started to smooth out. The Gardinator gave us all a good spanking by flying to Strasburg, back to the gap and then back to the LZ, getting 2900 over at the North point. There was an inversion layer at 2100 over. And I was able to climb through the layer of fog 3 times-- but the best I could get was 2350 over. I headed North looking for Dan who told me that he intended to fly up to Strasburg then jump off the tip and head East to an air strip. I only got a little over halfway there before I started to sink out and turned around when I fell below 1000 over. I never saw Dan or anyone else up there. Dan had turned South and went on an XC adventure with Kevin. Mike Balk, Mike C. and Tom also went XC to the South.

Karen, Judy-Judy, Ed, Steve P., Fred Carter and Lewis all launched around 4:00 and got about 45 minutes. Doug, Marvin, Bacil, Marc, Craig, Chuck Pyle, John Middleton, and Jose all launched before me and had nice soaring flights. A bunch of CVHGA pilots were also there. Big thanks to Mark Cavanaugh for coming out and wire crewing every damn one of us off and also doing retrievals. He had a boo-boo on his knee from climbing in California. Dave Stoudt also showed up and did a fair bit of wire crewing. He had hoped for his first flight in a while but had forgotten to pack his base tube-- ooops! One of John's Students was also out for the day and helped to wire us off. Again, BIG THANKS TO ALL!!!

Matthew (off to Ecuador, of Karen and Matthew)

Me, Mike Balk, Kevin, Lewis, Tom, Keith Ford, Joe, Mark G, Ed, Chuck

The day started out light; Mike, Kevin and I gave it a shot and got 10-20 minute flights. Then I hear it died down to nothing. When it picked up again Lewis took his first Pulpit flight(!), launched and went up, and was soon followed by the remaining pilots. No real thermals, pilots boated around, generally pointing into the north wind. We barely saw the sun all day. Everybody flew, and everybody got above launch.

We ate at the American Legion in Fort Loudon as guests of Keith Ford and Art Barrick listening to Art's tales of hang gliding history.

Judy

The Rock wasn't bad after it stopped blowing 20+ and backed off to 10 -15. Unfortunately this didn't happen until nearly 4. Smooth as silk air. Tried a few wingovers to refresh my memory as to why it is I don't do wingovers. Sure was a beautiful moonlit eve to break down a glider. Me, Chris Dabrowski, Gregory the Greek, and Kurt K. Sorry to miss the Woodstock happening but I didn't get moving until way late.

I got 90 mins and 4k msl in a sailplane at FDK today (sunday). Actually the 4k was a brief, one time event occasioned by the sun coming out for a few minutes in the middle of the day.

Rotor soaring at the Pulpit under high cirrus overcast conditions. Yup, winter flying season is almost upon us. Those who were too lazy to get up early and so launched later ended up with better conditions. Found one or two identifiable thermals amongst the trash, getting up for one golden moment to a big 800' over. Keith Ford of course topped us all (1300' over) on general principles. The sink again seemed to be better organized than the lift, leave us (OK, me) scratching co-altitude with Rt. 16 once or twice until the next reprive came rolling down the ridge.

1+30 and a proper landing for the Fusion (that's two in a row, folks).

One note for all you close in ridge soaring dudes: When passing another glider flying in the opposite direction on the ridge, don't pass closer than one wingspan away if you have less than 100' vertical separation. The person on the outside has more options so they are the one responsible for maintaining separation.

If you can see the whites of their eyes, you're too close. If you can see the whites of their eyes through their sunglasses, you are really too close. If their eyes have actually left their sockets, it's probably too late. Don't wait until they ask for the Grey Poupon, maneuver for separation early.

-- Joe

I'm glad that you asked. (;-)

I bumped into Kevin Madden while setting up at Woodstock on Saturday. He once again invited me to join him on a cross country foray. I had planned to go north to Strasburg and attempt a jump off of the end to the Front Royal Airport. But Kevin said he wanted to try a southern route, and declared that he had already made arrangements for a driver. This was too good to pass up.

I launched about 2:20 and scratched around the south side in light ridge lift and ratty thermals for forty minutes or so while waiting for Kevin. The best of the thermals took me to 1350 over launch. Kevin had launched minutes before and I proudly announced my "1350 over and climbing," status to him. Naturally the wind gods took offense to such brazen braggado and immediately knocked me down to a more modest 300' over. I began to think that I was doomed.

However the gods were merciful and permitted me to head toward the gap while maintaining a safe elevation. I hooked up with Kevin above the river bend south of the chicken coops. We boated around for a while, then I declared that I was going out to land in this humongous brown field that he pointed out to me. (This sucker is big enough to land a C-130 in with one hand tied behind your back, blindfolded with no instruments, just ask Joe.) I was coming up on two hours and getting tired.

I flew out over the field, and low and behold, had not lost any altitude at all, conditions had turned magic. Kevin was trying to vector his driver in and since I was over the field with plenty of elevation, I decided to fly toward I 81 to give the driver (John ?) an easy target. Once John confirmed that he saw me I turned back and landed. Minutes later Kevin landed virtually right on target.

While we were breaking down Kevin excitedly pointed out two bald eagles soaring below ridge line.

Total air time 1:50, 1350 over, 3.1 miles, split a sixer of Heineken amongst the three of us on the way out.
Great day.

Dan T.

-----Original Message-----
From: Judy McCarty
Sent: Monday, November 02, 1998 8:49 AM
To: chga@idbdnet.com
Subject: chga Dan's first

So, Dan, are we going to get the story of your first XC!!??

Judy

I taught on Sunday at Longs hill near Luray with mostly calm conditions not the NW 10-15 that was predicted! One student completed their hang 1 flying and the others who were already hang 1's got a fair bit of practice.

- john middleton

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This page last updated November 8, 1998