Flying 6/21

[theflyingdude]

So what happened at Woodstock on Sunday?

JR

[Matthew]

Everything happened at Woodstock on Sunday--- some good early day flights, wave flights, white-outs, mid-day shut down and flush cycle when the clouds were still zooming by at a millions miles an hour, sleds, a vey unexpected late day ramp-up and a pilot back in the sky after a year in the desert.... and more.....

I got an hour at the end of the day once the late day ramp-up mellowed out a bit-- strong but smooth air for a half hour and then back to moderate turbulance-- still, a very enjoyabe flight.

Matthew

[Ashley Groves]

Real fun summer solstice day. I will post a couple of pictures when I can. It seems that Webshots is not responding this AM.

[RedBaron]

I had my most memorable, most beautiful and most terrifying flight. It was sick. Launched in a good cycle and went straight up just parked into the severe N cross. Penetration was an issue for the entire length of my flight. For the most part it was very smooth lift that took me to base, didn't have to thermal much. Up there I was playing with the clouds, having the time of my life. In and out of the small ones, always whiting out only a little for kicks. I of course noticed the higher massive wall of wave lift clouds and was wondering how cool it would be to climb up to that. Turned out I was granted that wish.

Don't exactly remember how everything came together but suddenly I was flying in a big blue hole upwind of such a monster cloud wall and there was lift everywhere. I was climbing next to it, effortlessly, just making passes of perhaps 1000 feet. I saw clouds underneath me, and small little HG's flying underneath them. Every now and then I was dipping a wing tip into the white mass. I was surfing, it was so awesome, I forgot about everything else around me. At 4500' over, I think I had climbed two/thirds of it, I noticed how things started to close up underneath and around me. Massive clouds were moving in quickly and I had a rude awakening from my state of trance. I dove full speed for the center of my, now smaller, blue hole. I was still climbing 200-300 feet/min and then realized I was in big big trouble. I panicked and started spiraling down. Some of my maneuvers were so radical, I couldn't breathe because pulling all those G's pressed me down in my harness real bad. Still, it was working, I averaged 300 feet/min down and given how high I was I must have been doing that for minutes, getting very, very sick. The cumies underneath me were now closing up, too. I spiraled right through them and came out of my home-made mess half a mile behind the ridge. Back in front of the ridge I still wanted to fly to Signal Knob, but every bump and every bit of turbulence went straight to my stomach, upsetting it a little more. When I knew it was going to happen I just took my helmet off and let nature run its course. Joined Mark on his way to the reservoir but had enough after another hour or so. Landed in the bridge field, sill sick, for a total airtime of two hours.

I know I screwed up climbing without a care. But, I wouldn't want to miss the experience I had for anything in the world. It was absolutely unbelievable.

[silverwings]

Student Matt Wilkens got to do his first mountain flight around 4:20 pm (or was it 5:20) in 5 - 10 mph launch conditions. He had a good launch, did a couple of passes but was out a bit so lost enough altitude that I instructed him to head for the landing field where he had a decent approach and landing. I moved to launch a little later and it ramped up some but after a while launched, got hit with something and adjusted and found some lift so I got up. The air was real punchy and I never got more than 1200 above. I flew for an hour but toward the end, the wind strength South of launch seem to be getting stronger so I headed out and landed. I was glad to get an hour but definitely not that enjoyable flying conditions.

[Matthew]

Janni,

See-- http://www.chgpa.org/FirstFlights/mgraham.first.xc.html

Matthew

[RedBaron]

Wow, similar flights in most respects Matthew. Sounds like you were more aware of things and didn't as easily or as long give in to the sirens' callings. I was totally tripping, I saw angels playing harps and a man with a white beard. Should I ever be diagnosed with a terminal disease, this is the way I want to go.

[dbodner]

A number of pilots had left turns on launch.

I was sitting through some stong stuff waiting for a lull. It came. I picked the glider up, and there was no pressure, all very benign. As I launched I got kicked into a left turn (or maybe it was a massive left crab). After (and only after) yelling the proper expletive, I threw my body to the right and saved what I thought was going to be a tree landing.

The flight was somewhat bumpy, and I kept blundering into very strong lift that required diving turns to negate. Why didn't I just ride it? After all the skies were mostly clear at that point. No good reason, but really strong lift was the main thing I was concerned about all day. So, after 1/2 hour and 2 or 3 series of semi-radical maneuvers, I decided to call it a day.

Circling over the LZ, it all felt very calm. Then on my downwind my harness lines went momentarily slack. Sitting in the feed troughs, Janni heard me issue the same expletive as I had uttered on launch. This time, I think, there was more authority (and less panic) in my voice. So I felt better about that.

Overall all not a bad flight, not the most enjoyable. I'm glad I came out and glad I launched.

Thanks to Baghdad Dan (a new nickname?) for the liquid refreshment and the ride back to the top.

[kcarra]

Hey David

That was an excellent correction on launch, and not too much delayed by the expletive!

Karen

[XCanytime]

Real fun summer solstice day. I will post a couple of pictures when I can. It seems that Webshots is not responding this AM.

Ashley,
Just upload them to the forum here. You've done it before. I'm psyched to see some pics of that sky that was at Woodstock yesterday.

Bacil

[mcelrah]

OK, I guess I can't put it off any longer - actually, I have been pretty heavily scheduled since BLOWING MY LAUNCH and GOING IN THE TREES on Sunday, so it's not that I have been sulking in my cave. Got home to a large Father's Day feast, went to bed past my bedtime, then took number 2 son Jasper to get his learner's permit for driving in the morning before work (he flunked the written - said that the normal speed limit in Maryland on country roads and highways was 75! - Kid, you're supposed to answer what the state wants to hear, not what your old man does!!) Meanwhile, I have been overwhelmed with the kindness of so many fellow pilots, making sure I was OK on the scene, helping me recover my gear, calling and e-mailing to check on my physical and mental condition a day later, and generally expressing concern. One called to offer me the use of his crispy U-2 for the Ridgely fly-in next weekend! It's a strong reminder that the second best thing about this sport is the flying - the best thing is the people!

So, conditions had backed down some by the time I attempted to launch around 2:00 (?). I stood with the glider on my shoulders for a bit with no input from the wirecrew and the wings seemed to be balanced (perhaps the ease of holding the wing was a clue?). Streamers seemed to be pointing roughly straight in. I do not remember whether my run was weak (if one of the wirecrew has an impression, I would be happy to hear it), but I do remember being on the base tube quite close to the ground and trying to gain more speed as I drifted left in the slot. Next, the glider did climb but with a left yaw that had me facing the trees on the left side of the slot. One observer said I failed to correct the turn. I suppose a strong right input might have wanged me out of the slot clearing all trees, but it's in the coulda-shoulda-woulda category. I felt that I did not have sufficient airspeed to pull off any strong maneuvers. I impacted the top of a tree wings-level maybe 20 feet up, hung for a second and then fell to the ground. I remember turning my body to avoid a frontal impact (regretfully, this is not my first tree encounter in this glider - I'm learning *something*, but crashing is not really what I want to become an expert at...) The aluminum gave up it's life to save me.

I have only a couple of minor bruises and scratches - went running this evening. I told one person that I'm not as sore as I sometimes am after a really good flight! The glider has at least a broken keel, bent downtube and about a one foot tear between the leading edge and top of the right wingtip.

So I am grateful not to have any serious injury, but remain puzzled about what to do to avoid a possible repeat performance...

- Hugh

[Dan T]

I had my first flight in 6 months and only the second one in over a year. As mentioned by others conditions were "interesting" to say the least. I launched and 7:15 or so and flew until almost 8:30. Winds were mostly smooth and strong aloft. Lift was prevalent and it wasn't hard to get out over the field although it seemed like it was. My set up consisted of getting over the upper right hand corner of the field (NW) and just kind of drifting back and forth into the wind. No 360s to speak of. I had a fast approach and a clean flare, disappointing Janni who had come out to watch the rusty guy whack.

Dan T
back from Baghdad

[stevek]

Glad you are ok.. You may have launched in a cross. If there is a cross the wind in the slot can swirl around so that what your right wing sees may not be what the left wing sees. I helped launch some folks later on and noted that there was no close in wind streamer on the left. Not necessary if it is reasonably straight in but if you have a serious cross it can make a difference -- you need to know what your wing is going to encounter in the first 15 -20 ft. My hunch is a stick some tape and a streamer would have saved you a lot of grief.

[hepcat1989]

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[John Simon]

Wow,
wild day. Hugh glad you're OK. Dan... Welcome HOME!! Janni, glad you made. Matt, welcome. Sorry I missed it all. Need some refresher ground launch practice, but hope to come out soon.


John

[DanTuck]

I had to come up on Saturday and I was staying with a friend in Winchester that night. I planned to get up early and fly Sunday with everyone for Father's Day. So, on my way out to his place on Saturday I decided to stop by Woodstock and maybe do a timelapse or just watch the sunset. I got there and put some streamers back up in the slot getting ready for the morning. It was coming in real nice, maybe a little strong but I didn't consider launching. As I was walking back up to set up my camera, Tony walks up with his glider followed by Randy with his. Well alright then! We all got set up and Tony launched first, nice launch into a lull. He went right up and Randy graciously agreed to self launch. So I got ready and got on launch. Some pretty strong cycles came through so I kept Randy on my nose wires and waited for a lull. When one came, I cleared him, picked up, got level and got off before it ramped back up. Up on the ridge it was strong wth a West cross so I stayed way out front in the giant lift band. The lift was plentiful and strong at times. My vario was pegged at 400 up a number of times, and I'm sure it was stronger than that, my vario just doesn't go any higher. I found strong winds aloft and stayed below 1,000 over launch which enabled a very enjoyable flight. Being heavy on my wing and it being the latest generation Falcon were just enough that I was never in trouble, never being pushed backwards. I just had to stay low and out front. About 20 minutes into the flight, I noticed a large bird out in front of me a little ways. With camera rolling, I started to chase him. He scooted in towards the ridge and I fell in right behind him. It was then that I realized it was an immature bald eagle not more than 15 feet in front of me. I was right behind him for a couple seconds and then he dove off below me. I couldn't help but just laugh, it was so amazing. It was one of those moments I'll never ever forget. I flew for about 45 minutes and it started to get more turbulent so I went and landed. I'm so glad I decided to stop by! Enjoy the video below.
Sunday, I was there early and set up but it was beyond the Falcon's envelope. It would tease me and back off for 10 or 15 minutes and then ramp back up. I'm glad I didn't launch. Unfortuantely I ran out of time and had to leave by 4:30 so I broke it down up top.

Hugh, I'm really glad you are okay. I was on your left wire. I didn't notice your wing being unbalanced. It looked to me like, after you started your run, you got a little lift under your right wing and nothing under your left. You got flying, barely and that left turn continued. I think I remember you making a correction but the lack of airspeed kept the glider from responding. When you did finally get lift and some airspeed you were on a course straight to the trees. I'm not sure you could have done anything at that point to stay out of them. I was just very happy to hear you immediately shout that you were okay. Of course, it was a north cross on Sunday and there was a lot of swirling going on. I'm sure Steve is right and a few more streamers closer in could have helped. Sorry about the glider but glad it took the brunt.

Matt, big congratulations! And John, congrats for giving us another new pilot. I was bummed I couldn't hang out for your first one, Matt. But from watching your video, you did a great job. Yay, another Hang 2, well deserved! I look forward to flying with you in the mountains. Matt is not on the forum yet but said I could post his video. So enjoy that one below as well.

[RedBaron]

So glad you're okay, Hugh.
The WS slot has a long history of eating gliders. It ate mine, too, not so long ago. Error and situation analysis is all fair and well, but, my bottom of line is: Launching from the WS slot in crazy cross conditions like we all don't mind doing is, well, crazy. The most dangerous and unforgiving launch we have. Many close calls on Sunday. Pilots will continue blowing there launches there. Because it's a crazy nasty slot.

After my blown launch I changed my strategy and only launch in light conditions with a slightly higher AoA and a super aggressive attitude. You'll end up moon walking on those bigger rocks at the bottom but at that point I weigh about 35 lb. so I don't care. Waiting for stronger and straight in could be a mistake. But hey, for all I know I will blow my launch there again. Because it's a crazy nasty slot.

[hepcat1989]

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[brianvh]

I miss way too much living up here.

The only way to improve the woodstock launch is to remove most of the trees. At Bill's and Jack's your wing is above the treetops to the side soon after launch, not so at woodstock. A little steeper launch would improve the chances of getting good airspeed before random crap hits, but the major problem is the crap, not the runout.

[RedBaron]

The only way to improve the woodstock launch is to remove most of the trees.

Not very green of you, Brian. A nice ramp to get pilots into cleaner air would be a very elegant and safe solution in my opinion.
I don't know how many pilots blew their launches there, but it's been many.

[dbodner]

A nice ramp to get pilots into cleaner air would be a very elegant and safe solution in my opinion.

Hey, let's transport the south ramp from Pulpit to Woodstock. I'm sure the Forest Service wouldn't mind

[hepcat1989]

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[KirkLewis]

Glad to hear everyone is OK. Sounds like a crazy day!

[mcelrah]

Improving the slot:

Well...every time someone puts in the trees, they end up cutting some down to get their glider out. It's a simple process of attrition... - Hugh

[XCanytime]

Just thinking......What about a windsock on a pole or something........, above the tree line, In pilots view to see what the cross may be doing..... I don't know....Just brain drizzling.....
Shawn.

The Sacramento launch has a windsock on a pole that juts up a few feet above the treeline at the left corner of the slot. I have been launching at Sacramento regularly since 1993. This is what we really need at Woodstock, a windsock at the left corner of the slot above the treeline.

Bacil