Visibility: 10+
Wind: light NNW
Altitudes: 16000
Time Aloft: 6.5
Max Lift: insanely good
Temperature: HOT, 95+
Comment: Amazing spring soaring day
Tow pilot: Theo
It was a beautiful spring soaring day with strong lift and abundant cloud markers. IMHO, the best performance of the day was from Darrell, who didn’t even fly.
Eight people came out to fly gliders, but unfortunately there was no instructor, so only 4 got to launch. Everyone spent the cooler parts of the morning getting their ships ready for an efficient launch sequence then retreated to the patio to discuss plans. After some discussion over an excellent lunch prepared and served by Darrell, Theo agreed to get some practice towing.
Morgan had his new JS3 At the front on the line followed by Philip in his JS3, then Ollie and Julie. The motor gliders both took a tow with intentions to fly south and cross over to the Sierras then make the crossing over the valley to home. Ollie and Julie were planning on getting ready for contest flying this week. Darrell helped get everyone hooked up and off the ground before retuning to prepping the facilities for the upcoming contest week. Theo did a great job of getting everyone up quickly and waiting a bit to make sure we were established before flying home to KSBP.
Morgan and Philip were successful in their team flying and made it home from near Mt. Whitney. Morgan’s crossing was a bit stressful, crossing over the Kettleman Hills ~700ft, while Philip was a few miles behind him and came in with plenty of altitude to close his triangle and find a climb for another run in the hills west of the field.
 |
| Mt Whitney |
Ollie struggled a bit early on, but once he got going flew far and fast heading up to Center Pk, then down into California Valley and back up to San Benito. Julie got up and headed up to Center Pk and connected with a bunch of the Hollister group heading down to the south end of Soda Lake before turning around to practice a very long final glide. It’s amazingly difficult to bypass spring climbs and keep the hammer down to the finish line. I guess that’s the beauty on contest flying… it makes you change some habits for new experiences.
Huge thanks to Darrel for assisting everyone with glider assembly, feeding us all, safely getting us airborne, washing our gliders and helping us disassemble, and especially for babysitting Lizzy so Julie could fly without worrying.
I hope many can come out for the contest. It will be a great opportunity to learn, make some friends and good memories, and help bolster the club.
Safe flying!
Here is a link to the flights:
No comments:
Post a Comment