Well..... We've got the front to our west, and it's' supposed to clear out
behind it, with the winds switching to the west. Supposedly, the swing
is to happen by 5pm, which would leave plenty of hours of daylight for
a nice flight. But also to consider: Gusts of 25 are forecast, starting at
8pm.
If all this is true, then perhaps there will be a window at the end of the
day for a nice flight. But it'll be a gamble....
If I go, I'll be aiming for an ETA of 3:30, so on the road by 1:45. Will
probably check the latest conditions around noon before deciding.
In the meantime: Taxes!
MarkC
Woodstock Late on Sat Apr 12?
Moderator: CHGPA BOD
Re: Woodstock Late on Sat Apr 12?
Looking like it might be worth a gamble for a late day flight...
Who else is in?
MarkC
Who else is in?
MarkC
Re: Woodstock Late on Sat Apr 12?
Well, nothing ventured, nothing gained. Randy and I are both in a gambling
mood, hoping for a sunset flight at the Stocker if conditions allow. My ETA
is around 4:00pm at launch. Maybe we'll luck out.
MarkC
http://www.erh.noaa.gov/ifps/MapClick.p ... =graphical
mood, hoping for a sunset flight at the Stocker if conditions allow. My ETA
is around 4:00pm at launch. Maybe we'll luck out.
MarkC
http://www.erh.noaa.gov/ifps/MapClick.p ... =graphical
Re: Woodstock Late on Sat Apr 12?
We had four pilots at Woodstock today: myself, Randy, Carlos, and Bacil.
Carlos and I carpooled, and what a pain that drive was! First an
accident on 66-west had traffic backed up to the Beltway, then we got burned
again when 66 was shutdown for an evac-accident just short of Front Royal.
We didn't arrive up top until 5:20, and had to abandon plans to leave a
vehicle somewhere.
But turned out that Bacil was out to enjoy the day and help his fellow
pilots out, no flying for himself. So we all had help with wire crew;
thanks for sticking around Bacil!
Randy's flight was at maybe 5:45 or so. Skies were clear, and the winds
were still significantly west cross. He was above launch when I ran back
to setting up the glider. But a bit later I heard from Bacil that Randy was
on the deck, in the bridge field. He may have zigged rather than
zagged at just the wrong time...
Carlos and I hustled to set up. Temps were cooling, and the winds were
getting stronger and a bit straighter. Concerned about the predicted
build-up at 8-ish, I launched as soon as possible, at perhaps 6:30.
I encountered a strong cycle after launch, pulled 3/4 VG, and
just made sure I could make the bridge field. That turned out to be the
case, so then I started working my way up. Carlos launched at that
point, and seemed to be at least a couple hundred above me the entire
time! Darn that Carlos!
It was mostly a point/shoot/ease-out type of day, with an occasional
360 thrown in for fun. Definitely 'sporty', and of course the concern that
there would be a ramp up. But it all worked out, we flew til sunset,
with the fun-meter registering pretty darn good for most of the flight.
We both landed in the bridge field (with a quick hustle off of the property,
and across the street). It was probably a safer choice than the primary,
as winds had begun to pick up at that point. Good landings by both of
us, and Randy had hung around to give me a ride up top to get Carlos'
truck. Mucho thanks!
Broke down in the dark, then to Strasburg for dinner and a beer, and then
the drive home. Winds were jostling the truck pretty good by then,
so we definitely got lucky, hitting the window between the frontal
passage and the gusty follow-up winds.
MarkC
PS: How was that golfing thing Batman?
Carlos and I carpooled, and what a pain that drive was! First an
accident on 66-west had traffic backed up to the Beltway, then we got burned
again when 66 was shutdown for an evac-accident just short of Front Royal.
We didn't arrive up top until 5:20, and had to abandon plans to leave a
vehicle somewhere.
But turned out that Bacil was out to enjoy the day and help his fellow
pilots out, no flying for himself. So we all had help with wire crew;
thanks for sticking around Bacil!
Randy's flight was at maybe 5:45 or so. Skies were clear, and the winds
were still significantly west cross. He was above launch when I ran back
to setting up the glider. But a bit later I heard from Bacil that Randy was
on the deck, in the bridge field. He may have zigged rather than
zagged at just the wrong time...
Carlos and I hustled to set up. Temps were cooling, and the winds were
getting stronger and a bit straighter. Concerned about the predicted
build-up at 8-ish, I launched as soon as possible, at perhaps 6:30.
I encountered a strong cycle after launch, pulled 3/4 VG, and
just made sure I could make the bridge field. That turned out to be the
case, so then I started working my way up. Carlos launched at that
point, and seemed to be at least a couple hundred above me the entire
time! Darn that Carlos!
It was mostly a point/shoot/ease-out type of day, with an occasional
360 thrown in for fun. Definitely 'sporty', and of course the concern that
there would be a ramp up. But it all worked out, we flew til sunset,
with the fun-meter registering pretty darn good for most of the flight.
We both landed in the bridge field (with a quick hustle off of the property,
and across the street). It was probably a safer choice than the primary,
as winds had begun to pick up at that point. Good landings by both of
us, and Randy had hung around to give me a ride up top to get Carlos'
truck. Mucho thanks!
Broke down in the dark, then to Strasburg for dinner and a beer, and then
the drive home. Winds were jostling the truck pretty good by then,
so we definitely got lucky, hitting the window between the frontal
passage and the gusty follow-up winds.
MarkC
PS: How was that golfing thing Batman?
Re: Woodstock Late on Sat Apr 12?
Lets see, I drank beer, ate BBQ ribs and watched other people chase a white ball around a green field ... then drifted off for a 2 hour nap. One of the more relaxing, but needed Saturdays I've had in months. Hoping that weather is good for Ridgely next Sunday to knock off the aerotowing dust!
C
C
Re: Woodstock Late on Sat Apr 12?
Glad you had some non-flying fun Chris! Sorry, couldn't resist a little dig given
the "semi-manliness" comment about golf in one of your other posts.
Too funny!
MarkC
the "semi-manliness" comment about golf in one of your other posts.
Too funny!MarkC