Woodstock / Joe Gregor

Batman · Post by **Batman** » Sun Apr 29, 2007 11:02 pm

Flew Woodstock, first mountain flight in over 3 years. Will post details later. Joe Gregor sustained a broken left arm just short of the wrist and a shattered right shoulder. I talked to Joe at the hospital and he was lucid and talkative. He is scheduled to go into surgery to repair his arm/wrist and shoulder. As of 2100, Doctors estimate was that he will be released sometime mid-week. I can't remember the exact name, but its the hospital just south of Woodstock on Rt 11. Woodstock Memorial or something? They were moving him to Room 224 when we left, but I don't know how long he will remain in that room. His surgery is either later this evening or tomorrow.

Exact reason of crash is sketchy, but Joe said that he was getting beat up pretty good coming down the downwind treeline in the primary LZ. He was flying a Falcon 195 and he said he pulled in on final and and got hammered. He remembers looking up and seeing the windsock had swapped to due South. He pushed out but pancaked taking out one of the downtubes. I'm sure he will post more once hes back home and under recovery. Keep him in your prayers.

C

Paul Tjaden · Post by **Paul Tjaden** » Mon Apr 30, 2007 7:44 am

Just wanted to add my name to the list of people wishing Joe a speedy recovery. Sounds to me like a thermal was kicking off out of the LZ. I hate it when that happens!!!! (unless your high enough to use it to get up) Pretty much the same thing that happened to me when I did my left humerus but I was lucky and only broke one side.

Anyway, hopefully Joe will read this and know that we feel really bad about what happened to him. Hope the surgery goes well.

Paul

Post by **RedBaron** » Mon Apr 30, 2007 10:24 am

Joe landed in the same spot where I got pounded two weeks ago, on the back (lee) side of the hill on a strong NW day. I didn't see his landing but according to what I heard it must have been similar to mine, I got slammed into the ground and had no chance whatsoever.
My interpretation: On strong NW days theres rotors rolling off the crest of the hill that make landings way downwind in the field challenging at best or bone-shattering at worst. Yesterday I resolved to come in high and long on final and had a very nice unevenful landing past the crest. I strongly recommend that to everybody, the lower part of the field is very dangerous on strong days and should be avoided.

Flying Lobster · Post by **Flying Lobster** » Mon Apr 30, 2007 1:33 pm

Hated to read that--Joe's one of our nicest pilots. If I were there I would deliver a get-well six of select Belgian blondes (that's BEER, Chris)--maybe Mark C could handle that for me?

marc

Post by **mcelrah** » Mon Apr 30, 2007 3:32 pm

I notice that the Woodstock locals often use the bridge field - maybe it's not just for convenience. I was indoctrinated that the bridge field was only for a select few; should we revisit that? Or should we use other flatter LZs up and down the ridge when its rowdy? - Hugh

Post by **silverwings** » Mon Apr 30, 2007 5:08 pm

It's my understanding that in emergencies anyone can land there but other than a few individuals who supposedly have permission from Mr. Barker, the land owner, we are not suppose to land there. Some years, he has crop in that field later. Perhaps, those who have permission could approach him about allowing us more use of the field.

Post by **XCanytime** » Mon Apr 30, 2007 6:46 pm

There are plenty of safer LZs up and down the ridge. I've landed in many of them. However, during the growing season most of them usually have crops in them. I would think we should leave the bridge field to those who have permission. Otherwise, if 20 pilots land there all at once, I don't think the landowner would take too kindly to that. There are plenty of nice fields in the valley. The Karmy airstrip is one. There is also the Riverbend airstrip two u-bends of the river up from the main LZ. 2600' long.

Bacil

Post by **mcelrah** » Mon Apr 30, 2007 8:24 pm

Is that Hubble's strip. Bacil, could you give us some keys to identify it from the air (e.g. color of roofs, etc.). Gary and I were trying to figure out which one it was... - Hugh

Post by **XCanytime** » Mon Apr 30, 2007 9:17 pm

Hugh,
The airstrip is located right beside Headley Road (SW side). Check out Mapquest and locate Maurertown on Rt. 11. Just SW of Maurertown take a left on Saumsville Road off of Rt. 11, then a left onto Headley Road. Go to the aerial image and the airstrip is the flood plain in between the river and Headley Road. You can't miss it.

Bacil

Post by **Joe Schad** » Mon Apr 30, 2007 9:20 pm

Zelda and I visited with Joe at the Shenandoah Memorial Hospital this evening. His surgery is complete. He is in some pain but Joe has a morphine drip to lessen the discomfort. Joe has his right arm in a sling and the left is bandaged with a metal support holding things together with screws. needless to say he has limited use of either arm or hand at this time. So if you can he may not be able to answer the cell phone without some assistance.

What can you do for Joe? If you can come up with a good story for him to tell his boss and fellow National Transportation Board members about how his two arms in slings support the notion that Hang Gliding is really very safe he would appreciate the help. So far he has only told his boss that he broke his arm.

Joe

Post by **mcelrah** » Mon Apr 30, 2007 10:11 pm

How to explain to Joe's boss?
(1) it's not about transportation - although Tom's and Hank's (and the T-row boys') flights may suggest otherwise;
(2) "if you are careful enough, nothing bad - or good - will ever happen to you".

OK, those are my contributions. Who else? - Hugh

chgpa.org

Woodstock / Joe Gregor

Woodstock / Joe Gregor

Riverbend airstrip location