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Hangola June 3-6, 1999

I missed Geoff's message yesterday, so headed off to Jack's to meet Bruce Satatis, Steve Krichton Dave Johnson, and Keith Ford. It was a dicey day with a south cross and nothing but a bunch of thermals along the ridge. You'd be up above the ridge one minute, then trying to claw your way back up from below the next. I got an hour and a half...all below 700 feet (and sometimes below launch) until the last half hour when things smoothed out and I could make it above 1000.

Steve went down the ridge and over the back to land past lewiston. Dave and Bruce got sleds.

Brian VH.

just got back from a week of vacation in Orlando, Florida, where I spent a significant part of my time flying at Wallaby Ranch with Malcolm Jones and company. began the week flying tandems, and learning the finer points of aerotowing, turns (180s and 360s), and landing approaches. four days, Malcolm decided I was ready for my first solo tow. was a wonderful experience!Falcon 170 with only me on it turns out to be LOT lighter and easier to fly under tow than a big old Fly-2 with Malcolm next to me!tow turned out to be pretty easy, and I followed it with a few 360s for fun, an easy figure-8 approach, and a nice, on-my-feet landing. the next few days, I followed this with 10 more solo tows, gaining an incredible amount of towing and flying experience. the last day it was sunny and calm, and the thermals came out;sent me up with a vario, and on my first try I was only able to find two weak thermals which each gave me a 100ft altitude gain;much, but it was the first time I actually went UP in a glider!hour later cloudbase had gone up to about 3000ft;got a tow up to 2700, then had to go looking for a thermal;finally found one at 1450, and was able to work it back up to 2150 - ok, I know these aren't the most impressive numbers, but it was my first time soaring!!!was my last flight, as I had to get to the airport to return home, but it was a fantastic way to finish my vacation!

Just for the record, a few statistics and accomplishments for the week:

First Solo Aero-tow
Achieved AT Rating
First Soaring Flight
Total Solo Air-time: hrs 35 min
11 Landings, NO whacks

PS: While I was working doing all this flying, I also had the opportunity to try out and fly with a coccoon harness, and with a pod harness, which was also a neat experience. Of course, now I have to buy a new harness, because I just can't go back to flying my old knee-hanger... (sigh)

Early Sunday afternoon I dragged Dan Tomlinosn away from his computer and new business and dragged him down to Manquin to check out the towing weather. The forecast was SE 5-10, with a totally garbage Soarcast (no thermal index calculated and the theoretical and calculated lines never crossing!). We figured it was worth a shot, especially since we had not flown Saturday.

As we drove up, Tex Forrest was on tow behind the new aerotug, climbing up from 1,000' and Terry Spencer was on the back of the truck, waiting for the traffic to clear to start his launch. Tex released at 2,000' and immediately began an impressive climb out. Terry released at 1,100' and beat the truck back to the launch end of the runway. He climbed back on , headed back into the sky, and this time found Tex's thermal. Tex got 45 minutes and 4,000' while Terry, after releasing at 1,200' got about the same duration and 3,000'.

Once all of that great thermal action was settling out, Dan and I finished setting up. Dan, Terry and I spent from 3:45 to 6:30 rotating turns at sleds or extended sleds. I took 5 rides, Dan 2, and Terry 3 more after his soaring flight.

On my third launch, the weak link broke at 650', so I turned back toward the start end of the runway. At the edge of the field, I found a little bullet thermal and played for two minutes between 350 and 400. It was really fun playing in it, and it was my best flight of the day, even though not the highest.

I also was able to nail five grade A landings! The best part about them was LOTS of witnesses!

I hope Ridgely was fun, too!

Cragin S.

Fisher Rd. Sunday.
1:00 pm. Found Dave Proctor alone on launch, glider on car, watching it blow in about 10 mph. We all set up. Dave off first. Sled. Me off second. I get up over the ridge (about 25 feet), but not enough to survive a turn. I land. Doug waits. Visiting pilot from Windriders Mike Jenkins comes over the radio, wanting to know how to get to launch (he'd taken a wrong turn). We get him to the LZ. Doug comes down to get me and Mike. Dave drives home, exhausted from his sled (and working too hard during the week). I take another sled. Some wuffos drive the car down. Doug sleds. We head back up. Mike has set up his Pulse. I set up and launch again and this time get 16 minutes and 25-50 feet over the ridge (not over launch, just wherever I am on the ridge). I survive a few turns, but then it shuts off. Mike on launch backs off. Doug and Mike decide to break down on top. It starts blowing in again and Mike launches and comes down the ridge 29 feet over (his words), makes a couple of turns, heads out and lands. Doug drives down and we go to Breezewood for dinner. Very exciting day. In case you hadn't heard, Doug and I are off to France Wednesday evening to celebrate my birthday (the big 5-0). Won't be back until June 21st. A bientôt.

Christy

We went to Taylor's Farm on Sunday. The D.C. local forecast was calling South and the maps looked like it might be South or S.E. at Taylor but I decided it was worth the shot. Mark Cavanaugh was there when we arrived. It turned out to be a good teaching day with winds varying from S.S.E to W.S.W but mostly South to S.S.W from 2 - 8 mph. For my students, two first timers (Martin, Chris) got about 6 flights each and two with more experience (Christian, Jose) got about 8 flights each. They all had a good time even though it was pretty warm. Good thing they brought plenty of water! Cavanaugh did a few flights and I did one.

It sure is nice when the wind direction and velocity co-operate.

- john middleton/Silver Wings Inc.

Thermal conditions were pretty spotty both days; I had short thermal flights Friday, Saturday and Sunday; others fared better. No XC that I've heard about but very pleasant flying just the same.

-geoff

I just wanted to say thanks to Christy and Doug for a great day at Fisher Road, Sunday. Most of it was spent catching rays ( OK... hang-waiting). Christy was kind enough to play wind dummy (a couple of times) and map out the air. The air was mostly laminar, but there was enough lift to get me to +29 feet. Although that was not the greatest, it also wouldn't let me fall below -15, and as the ridge tapers off a bit near the primary, that was about 150 over that part of the ridge.

A beautiful sight... A good day.... AND, two new friends.

Thanks again, Mike J.

PS. Bon Voyage! Have a great time in France.

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This page last updated June 8, 1999