Trailed the sailplane to Front Royal yesterday to fly in the strong NW wind. I’ve gotta tell you that the tow to the Massanutten ridge was the most god-awful tow I’ve had in 1000+ hours in sailplanes. The tug was dancing all over the sky and on short leash behind it, so was I. I’ve had similar experience but previously only for a wallop or two (or three); this was constant almost from liftoff to the 3500 ft release. Off tow, the air was a bit more merciful but still quite turbulent. Flew to the ski resort and back to Strausburg in an hour and then played up and down the ridge stopping to thermal in 800 ft/min up to CB @ 6K. The thermals were smooth and offered a break from the other commotions. Others did the same and also spent time in the wave up to over 10K. The north end of the ride was pretty consistently rowdy although the portions from about the HG launch on south mellowed as the day wore on. The wave was working at the north end (as usual) and I suspect the enhanced turbulence there was due at least in part to the wave rotor. I didn’t see anyone set up on the HG launch but there were a couple of cars in the parking area (no gliders on top) and it looked like a glider was in the bag at launch. It may have been HG doable later in the day but I just wanted to say that for a HG the mid-day conditions would have been very (VERY) unpleasant.
Of course, our uber-pilot Buade Litt flew an astounding flight. It included a 40 mile jaunt to the NE from Strausburg (40 miles one way) and back all in wave. See the flight here:
http://www.onlinecontest.org/olc-2.0/gl ... 1832718457
The OLC has some nice features this year. If you don’t have SeeYou, check out the Google-Map version of the trace.
Danny Brotto
Massanutten, Saturday March 1...
Moderator: CHGPA BOD
Re: Massanutten, Saturday March 1...
Considering the concentration I required to stay behind the tug in stable conditions at FRR the next day (Sunday), I can't imagine the rodeo ride you had. Eight instructional flights so far. My instructor is an ex-Navy test pilot with nerves of steel. Let's me fly the whole time and make, diagnose, and correct my own mistakes. I greased the landing, if I do say so myself... Ground school 8, 15, and 16 March; you watch: they'll all be perfect flying weather... - Hugh