This turned out to be a really nice day at Woodstock. I think everyone who wanted to fly soared and either had a long flight, a personal best or flew as long as they wanted. Lots of people flew and I wont' attempt to describe their flights this time. I hope they post for themselves.
As for me, I flew to the North resevoir near Strasburg, turned around and crossed the Edinburg gap and flew to about 3/4 mile from the South end of Short Mountain, then turned around and crossed the gap again and landed in the friendly airstrip field 1 1/2 miles or so north of the gap. I flew for nearly 3 hours. My gps died after I had crossed the gap for the second time so I don't have an exact mark. (I'd never done that before.) I estimate the straight line distance northern most point to southern most point and about 25 miles and total straight line distance at nearly 40.
I could have flow much further but I was nearly completely exhausted and chose to land while I had some control authority left. A windsock and a brisk breeze blowing over the 2 1/2 to 3 foot high grass marked the wind direction and speed for me contributing to a no-step landing after an entertaining approach.
I've been flying for about 11 years now and after a flight like this I'm still amazed that we all do this thing. In the words of an unnamed senior pilot, "what did the mere mortals do today?" Thanks to everone who helped me. I hope your flights were as memorable as mine was.
Dan T
Results from woodstock Saturday may 19
Moderator: CHGPA BOD
Awesome day at Woodstock Part Deux
What a day at Woodstock. Arrived with my driver at 9:45A to clear skies and breezy conditions already in the slot. Other pilots arriving included Janni, Carlos, Gary, and Dan T. Some freight trains blew thru as we set up. Then it settled down some, so I was off first just before noon to high cumulus clouds filling in the sky. Got up easily to 3500' to 4500' MSL heading north to Signal Knob. Heading back from Signal Knob got into the nastiest air I've ever flown in. Bucking me all over the sky. Made it down to close to the Edinburg Gap, but the clouds to the NE looked a helluva lot better formed than the ragged ones to the SW. Saw Gary Smith climb out to the moon just above launch where a huge wide cumie was spreading out. Decided to head back up to Signal Knob and be patient this time and grab a thermal at the Knob and go over the back. Well patience paid off finally and I climbed in a nice thermal to 5600' MSL and drifted over the back between the reservoir and the radio tower. Had the Front Royal Airport in sight and easily made. Down to 4300' MSL directly over the airport. Caught some more lift and drifted downwind to just over a football field between the river and downtown Front Royal. Down to 3500' MSL. Was going to commit to the football field but found a real nice thermal and stayed with it to 7K' MSL. Drifted over the Blue Ridge, tracking along Rt. 522. Lost down to 4500' MSL near Flint Hill. Gained another 500' and went on glide to Rt. 211, which I could make out in the distance. Saw many ponds showing very strong winds on the surface. Over Rt. 211 down to 3500' MSL. By this time I was pretty tired after 3.5 hours in the air, so I burned off 3000' in 15 minutes, landing in a big field with a pond in the middle right by Rt. 211 at a little crossroads called Ben Venue. Driver was there in 30 minutes. While I waited a friendly border collie came up and played fetch the stick with me. A flight I'll definitely remember.
Bacil
Bacil
Bruce Engen's landing location
BTW, I forgot to mention Bruce Engen made it to Orange, VA! Great flight Bruce!
Bacil
Bacil
Woodstock Saturday - the gps never lies
Once I got batteries in my gps it told me my straight line end to end distance was only 15.2 miles. Sure seemed like about a hundert in that air. Anyway a great flight none-the-less. Congratulations Bruce and Bacil, two more great flights!
Dan T
Dan T