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Hangola July 11, 1999

Cast of thousands. I launched and left early so I will let someone else try to remember who all was there.

Was wondering about the day, since there was a high layer of scuz. As we set up, the scuz went away to be replaced by blue sky (no relation to the trade marked Blue Sky owned by Steve Wendt). After last week of 100+ temperatures, the 80 degrees seemed wonderful. Dale, Fred P. and Reanne (I think) launched before me. Pinned off early (2200') and went up to around 5300. Headed south. Had fun flying with Fred and Dale. Fred left us headed ESE, and landed. He said we were 'lollygagging about'. Well both Dale and I stayed up while Fred was on the ground. Sometimes you win - sometimes you lose.

Had multiple low saves. Flew for 3 hours and had the flight of the day with 29.9 miles (notice I did not 'pin-stretch' that to 30 miles. The last hour I was in the air was below 2500', mostly about 1300'. Just kept bubbling along. In fact when I went to land (I didn't feel like trying to get across the river with only 1300'!) I got to the field with about 600 feet and it took me 5 minutes to get down. It was fun.

A great day! Thanks to Steve Turner for picking Dale and me up, and Dale for the use of the car!

-Mike Balk

I just downloaded my barograph/GPS data, and it says I flew not 29.9 miles but 30.57!!!!!!!

When I landed my GPS was set for Ridgely, not where I released from tow. I released north of the field.

Yea! More than 30 miles!!!!!

-Michael Balk

Other than pilots who you've already mentioned and Marc, who has already posted, there was me, Karen, Joe, Janet, Mike C., Christy and Doug, Dan, Daryl ?, Steve Vogel, Steve Krichton, Bruce Satatis, John Muldoon...

I got a 20 minute flight and a half hour one-- could've stayed up longer on the second one but I was drifting away from the field at only 2600 AGL and I didn't want to go XC for only 5 or so miles and have to deal with being retrieved. Plus, it was already 6:00 and I had just seen a pilot not quite make it back to the field. So I headed back upwind hoping to find another thermal and once again found terra firma instead. Numerous other pilots had short soaring flights and extendos. Karen tried out Highland's small Target. Mike C. went 16 miles. Christy went 4 miles and 7 miles. Ralph (no longer from Reston) showed up late for at lest one sled. Mason ? from Georgetown, Delaware had his first solo. And Lynn Barnes continues to get closer to her first solo. Someone else also showed up at the end of the day for some Tandem instruction but I didn't get his name.

Matthew (the next time I'm getting there early, of Karen and Matthew)

Great day at the Rock yesterday. When the Hardwicks arrived at 12:30, Pete Shuman was above launch and Bob G was on deck. Light conditions switching NW to N about 5 mph. By the time I had assembled my glider, Pete had given up the fight and Bob had sledded. I decided to wait a bit for the sun to do its job but the longer I waited the lighter conditions got. Fearing it was getting ready to turn the forecasted NE, I launching around 1:15. I didn't find anything going up until I spotted a large gaggle of vultures working something low and to the left of the swimming pool. I barreled into the thermal and scared away all but one bird. We both stayed with it and took it over launch. Over launch it got pretty easy. I spent the next hour between 1100 and 2300k. One of those great days where you could pretty much go anywhere and find a thermal. Unfortunately, no else was able to hook one so I had to enjoy it all by myself (I hate it when that happens). If anyone has yesterday's morning or afternoon soarcast data (or equivalent) I'd love to see it. There was some VERY rough air every time I passed between 1000 and 1300 over launch. I think it was some type of sheer layer. I had some pretty violent wire snaps a couple of times but at any other altitude it was smooth.

Other pilots that showed up were Juan Sonan, Marlin, Brian V and Eric Wakefield. Eddie (the miller boy) arrived late but I think it was blowing over the back by then.

-Brian Hardwick

For the record, Ralph (from Bowie) actually managed 2 tows/sleds - my first towing experience on my own glider! (Man that super-tug goes up *fast*!) The view of the sunset reflecting off of the bay was spectacular!

Ralph

I went to Sacramento today where it blew west most of the day. I got in a sled at 6 pm. A few (4-6) got high and flew for hours; many got 15-30 minute flights. Dave Brown, who apparently hasn't flown in close to a year, was one who flew for hours. Alana and several other patient pilots had nice late day soaring flights.

The cast included Joe and Karen Gorrie, Doug Rogers, Bob Beck, Jeff Harper, Alana, Jim Carroll, Jim Messina, Bacil, Robert, Ken Church, Ken Harrison, Dave Brown, Shawn, Bill Buffam, Jeff B, Clint, several Falcons and Pulses I didn't know, plus others.

Also, I had my first decent flight at Hyner last weekend -- :40 on Sunday afternoon. Also had a sled and :10.

Judy

Great flight Mike!! I blew a weaklink on my first tow and didn't try again until 4:00. Considering the mixed up blue sky conditions you xc'ers did a great job.

/Marc

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This page last updated July 14, 1999