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Hangola February 13-15, 1999

Went to Woodstock both Saturday and Sunday, but unfortunately only flew Sunday. Saturday a bunch of us (Mark G., Judy, Tom, Mike B., Ed, Dan, Craig, Greg DeWolfe, (I'm sure I missed somebody)) sat and watched the wind howl until we finally gave up around 4:15. Headed to Strasburg Inn for dinner and called it a day.

Sunday it was back to Woodstock with a strong text forecast and light isobar forecast and the isobars won out! I'm sure I'll miss folks, but other pilots were Judy, Mark G., Joe Gregor, Homer, Matthew, Karen, Dan, Mike C. (with his new Stealth) Craig, Ed, Nelson Lewis (with his new Stealth), Mike B, Tom, Marc, Brian Hardwick, and Brian V-H who came out to wire crew. (Thanks Brian! - ps did you ever make it to the winery?)

The winds were varying going from 10-15 to 3-5 mph to almost nothing. I launched into about 8 mph and enjoyed a 35 minute, almost 1800' (1787') over flight before getting flushed along with just about everybody but the toplesses. Folks up at the North end (Tom, Mike and Nelson -not sure if anyone else was up there) managed to stay up and some of them caught wave - they'll have to tell us all about it! Then it was off to Fox's for pizza.

Sheila

Doug and I had a great time at Wallaby. We got to stay on the ranch this time in one of those cute little cabins. Not only is it much cheaper than the motel, but it's SO much more fun being right there. We set up the trusty K-2s when we arrived on Thursday around 11:30. I found a batten was missing - must be in Venezuela since that's the last time I flew it. Carlos (one of the tug pilots) made one for me that worked just great. I launched around 1:30 and was told to release at 1600'. I started circling and went right up. Max altitude on that flight was 4166'. Hour, 25 minutes. I took another flight around 3 pm after eating lunch with the other pilots and got in 38 minutes of nice boating air. Gary's seafood that night.

Friday I had 3 tows for 38, 12, and 26 minutes. Max altitude to 3910. I was really whupped by the end of the day, in fact I had to land on the third flight because I was getting a little air sick.

Saturday and Sunday I had a head cold - just as well since it was blown out. Doug and I saw a movie (dumb one) at Downtown Disney on Saturday and just messed around the ranch on Sunday.

Monday was the best day. It was quite a bit colder, but I still didn't take the warning from the Exxtasy pilots who'd already launched ('it's 42 at cloudbase). After 50 minutes, I was working sink hard to get down. Lift was everywhere and it was going up fast. I landed, put on my down jacket and took off again. This time I wasn't cold at all at cloud base: 5790'. It was great air - spring conditions. I made the mistake of going way south into the wind and ran of clouds. I thought they were moving faster towards me than they were and when I realized it, I was down to 2500 at I-4. I made it back to the ranch with 700 feet showing on the altimeter. No problem, but it sure looked a long way away.

Back at work today after flying back this morning. By the way, we're heading back for a few days at the end of March.

Christy

ps No more details - I plan to write a story for the newsletter.
pps How come I'm not getting the CHGA newsletter these days???

High Rock wasn't bad Sunday. A little strong at first but it backed off to 10-15 at around 2:00. Jose Cruz and I were getting 1800 - 2000 over. (well, actually Jose was getting 2, I could only get to 1800.)

Beautiful day Monday at Manquin, sunny and in the 50s, but unfortunately it wasn't very soarable. Stephen Hull had the flight of the day with maybe 30 minutes early. The rest of us -- Marc Fink , Tom McG, Judy, Mike Balk, BVH, Fred somebody (sorry) , and I -- had sleds or extended sleds. Still, it was a fun day.

I ended up at fisher road on Monday. While the booming thermals I expected weren't there, it did blow south long enough to allow me a 20 min flight and 400 over. It then turned SW and ugly.

-Brian Hardwick

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This page last updated March 5, 1999