Flying 8/16

[eggzkitz]

I've recently started using xcskies.com after reading about it in the most recent H&P magazine.

It is showing nice conditions at Woodstock for Saturday, but a much lower ceiling and thermal quality up north... not to mention that winds are likely to be stronger than last weekend, so Pulpit maybe well blown out.

Anybody available to head out to Woodstock?

[Chromium]

I am ready to fly both Saturday and Sunday! Woodstock or Pulpit.

David

[eggzkitz]

Welcome back Dave.... how was Marshall?

Models are looking more northerly now... will check again in the morning and let you know.

[mcelrah]

I will join at Woodstock Saturday. - Hugh

[eggzkitz]

Models still show north on Saturday and back to a nice NW on Sunday...

will check again in the am...

[eggzkitz]

Waiting for the models to update but it looks like the forecast is shifting back to more NW. Probably heading to Woodstock.

[Chromium]

Heading to Woodstock, ETA 11:30 or so.

Cheers

[charlieg]

I'll be there.
Charlie

[eggzkitz]

So it turned out to be an OK day, despite another tree landing. Both days this weekend were shaping up for very nice conditions but the winds were light. On Saturday we arrived in time to watch Juan send one of his students (Stacey) off in light air. She had a nice flight to the primary LZ. Charlie launched next in a good cycle and cruised around launch. I launched in a so-so cycle and sledded to primary LZ. Thomas and Alessandro launched and had extendos before joining us in the LZ and we headed back up. Juan launched and got up and worked OTB. When we got on top the cycles were definitely working better. I launched and started up, along with Thomas, to join Charlie who was still boating around under launch. David came on the radio to let us know that Stacey would be launching so we should stop cruising by the launch slot, and to expect a little chatter on the radio as they talked to her off launch. I watched her launch from out front where I was working a thermal with a couple birds and Thomas. She pendulumed pretty hard on takeoff -- which left her turned to the right following the ridge. David talked to her on the radio, telling her to go hands up to stabilize (she was stilling swaying), relax, and steer away from the mountain, which was pretty good advice. She continued following the ridge to the north, thinking she had some time to let things settle out. She was apparently hit by a bump that pushed her right (after talking to her today) and she impacted the trees by the road. The wing took purchase in the tree and she came to a stop a good 40' in the air, OK, but shaken. Charlie talked David and Allessandro to her location from above and I worked my way back up. Thomas headed to the LZ to land. After vectoring David to her position on the radio, Charlie pulled ears and headed to the primary LZ. I tried to fly by as close as I felt safe to get an idea how secure the wing was wrapped in trees. After a low pass, it was clear she wasn't at risk of falling further -- the wing had solid purchase, and I headed to the LZ to land also. About then David decided a self-rescue was outside our capability and he called the fire department. The rescue crew and firemen came out in force... we had all of Woodstock's emergency management capability up on that road. They got her safely down after a couple hours.. and the wing too, which had minor damage to the leading edge.

[Matthew]

OK. Does Stacey have at least a P2 rating? If not, then there is no reason that she should be flying at Woodstock. The agreement with the GW park service is that pilots must have an intermediate rating or have a novice rating with an Observer present to launch. No ifs, ands, or butts.

I posted this info to the PG Forum last month and also emailed this info to the active pilots in the region.

No one has the excuse of ignorance.

If Stacey does not have at least a P2 rating, then the pilots responsible for assisting her in launching are in serious jeopardy of having their ratings revoked.

Matthew
VP/CHGPA

[mcelrah]

I guess I arrived after everyone else left Woodstock - about 7:30 (had been giving trike rides at Front Royal, then Sallie and I went canoeing on the Shenandoah). Launched at 7:50 with assistance from Sallie and a couple of spectators after one abort. Got 500 over in smooth air while watching sunset and waiting for Sallie to drive down to the LZ. But the disk of the sun disappeared behind the western mountains and I was obliged to land after 25 minutes. Was happy with my launch and landing, but discovered starboard outermost A line pulled free from the wing, tab and all. Probably happened on launch - I had felt strong resistance when I first built a wall, so killed the wing and had Sallie free lines. No resistance on next inflation, but perhaps the damage was done. Gotta hustle to get this fixed - leaving for Bulgaria PG XC training in 3 1/2 weeks... - Hugh