Mountaineer Airtimes-Eastern Edition

Doug Wakefield-They say time flies, but I sure don't, at least not much in January. I had only one flight the entire month, getting 0:45, +600 in a north cross at High Rock on the 30th. I was the last one off before the cross got worse, leaving three pilots stranded on launch - Mike C. with his new Stealth, Dan T. and Cragin S.

Thank goodness for Wallaby. Christy and I went back to the Ranch for the 11th through the 15th of February, and got in some great flying. Thursday the 11th was a very nice day but I just couldn't seem to stay in the air. My first tow was to +2400, and I managed 0:20 minutes, never getting above the release point. Landed with a no step flare. Second tow was a squirrelly ride to +1800, and back down on the ground again five minutes later, with a beak to boot. My third tow was a little better, again releasing at +1800 but this time getting +800 over the release point before working light lift low for a total of 0:25 and another no stepper. Christy, on the other hand, was up for hours on her first tow.

Friday wasn't as good a flying day, but I did a little better anyway. My first tow was to +1600, then worked my way up to +2000 above that to spend some time with Christy at cloudbase. Stayed up for 0:50, and was particularly pleased when I correctly read a windshift as I was on my downwind leg and turned the base leg into final and a no step flare. My second tow was a release at +2500, and I managed +200 more, but the flight was most notable for the bird (black vulture) which seemed personally interested in continually showing me where the lift was. After 0:25 I was on the ground with another no stepper. Even Christy commented favorably on my landing.

Saturday and Sunday were pretty much blown out, but Monday was spectacular. The sky was full of popcorn cumies and the Exxtacy's were specking out. They also reported it was cold up there, 42 degrees. Good thing I had my big gloves. First tow was to +1800, after which I worked up another 3200 more and found lift just about everywhere. Flew for 1:30, and landed with yet another no stepper, just in time for lunch. (Ah, the rigors of Ranch flying!) Took another tow after lunch, but it had smoothed out considerably. Tow was to +2600, and although I did get 100 feet above the release point, it was mostly a long, slow, gentle sink out. A no step flare ended a very pleasant 0:20 minutes, and it was time to get ready to leave early the next day.

For a 'Welcome Home' contrast, I got 3:20 and +2100 at High Rock on the 20th. It was quite cold, and although my gloves work really well, I've got to get some bar mitts. My landing was a very gentle beak, so I've decided that from now on, no matter where I fly I'm going to land at Wallaby. Should make for some great XC.

Christy Huddle-The only airtime I got was the 5 hours at Wallaby.

Sheila Boyle - The last few weekends we've gotten skunked but I have managed to get in some flying during the winter months. I had a wonderful flight along with quite a few other people on January 31st at High Point in Cumberland. Beautiful sunny day with N/NE 5-15. Managed to make it to 1497' over and Joe (Gregor) and I fought it to the end as far as who would land last. Joe won and I landed after 2 hours. Other pilots there were Mark G., Joe Gregor, Chuck Pyle, Jim Rowan, Marvin and John Myers along with a number of sailplane pilots. The most challenging part of the flight (other than watching for traffic) was the fact that I couldn't zip up my harness - bummer.

The next day it was off to Bill's Hill with Mark, Judy and many others for a VERY cold flight. I only flew 15 minutes but was thrilled when I worked some light lift around the edge of the LZ from 2-300 agl up to 87 over launch - yeah! It was great to see Karen back in the air and congratulations to Matthew and Brian for soaring Bill's Hill when they went up for a second flight. It was also exciting to see George Tutor get his first two high flights.

Flew at Woodstock on February 14th. The winds were varying going from 10-15 to 3-5 mph to almost nothing. I enjoyed a 35 minute, 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.

Test flew an Xtralite at Jack's on February 27th. Unfortunately it was only sleds for everyone but I definitely enjoyed the glider.

Mike Chevalier-I've only had 4 flights so far this year, 1 at Fisher Rd. and 3 at Woodstock. I walked in the back at Woodstock, fortunately there was a pilot to carry my harness. The last flight at Woodstock was on a cold day, conditions were ideal except that it was way too cold. I landed near the airstrip south of town.