Memorial Day Weekend May 27-29

[Eric]

I did my 8th mountain flight on 5/29 from the Pulpit at around 4:15 pm. Ward said my launch was good. Anthony relayed to me that John M. said my nose was a little high for the mountain. I launched into about 8 mph, straight-in and soar-able conditions then crabbed down the ridge to position myself in front of the primary LZ. I used my vario to fly faster through the sink and slower in the lift and managed to stay between 1200 and 1500 above the LZ. I dropped to 1100 then turned out to land and hit a ton of sink but also some lift on the way out. I still got to the LZ with plenty of altitude to do a solid DBF. I have a tendency to like to land straight into the wind, so I ran out of runway and flared a tiny bit early to avoid going into the higher grass -- I wasn't in danger, but still... Duh.

Takeaways: I'm starting to understand the value of the vario, and I'm really starting to notice when my wings get lifted when I hit the thermal stuff. I need to be even more vigilant about my nose angle on launch. I need to not be so concerned with landing straight into the wind -- if I'm a few degrees off, it's better than flying toward the edges...

Thanks to Bacil for encouraging me to get out there. Thanks to John M., Ward, and my bro for chucking me off safely. Thanks to Charley for the weather and site-related coaching. The quest for my H3 continues...

[Dunegoon]

Eric nice job flying with us. You did very well flying in "traffic." Watch other gliders for lift as there is no shame in pimping someone else's thermal. Just keep your head on a swivel and learn to space yourself as you get busy.

Let the vario confirm your kinesthetic sensations.

CF