I am taking the day off to fly. forecast say the pulpit, but I also think given the high being over the Great Lakes, it may be a Sac day. I will check in the morning.
Tom
Tuesday
Moderator: CHGPA BOD
Re: Tuesday
I'm kinda-sorta-maybe thinking about it Tom. 35 degree dewpoint/high-temp
spread, or better.... Pretty tempting! I'll be planning an early AM so that I can
take another look at things, and decide then.
MarkC
spread, or better.... Pretty tempting! I'll be planning an early AM so that I can
take another look at things, and decide then.
MarkC
Re: Tuesday
It....
Was.....
FANTASTIC!!!!
A day of firsts for me: 78 miles (exactly!) downwind from the Pulpit, first time I've broken
50 miles, by far my longest open-country XC to date. Previous personal bests have been in
the 40+ range (and rare!), so to say that I'm stoked would be a huge understatement!
First time crossing the Michaux State Forest.
First time successfully crossing many streets, without decking it for a change!
Four pilots today: Tom M, Pete, Janni, myself. Meinhaj was driving, courtesy of
arrangements made by Tom (thanks Meinhaj!!!). We had an XC-squadron out there, with
several of us all landing within a few miles of each other.
I was first off, from the slot, then Tom, then Pete, then Janni. Some spectators
helped with the last two launches. It was pretty strong when I launched, but the
cycle was good and the crew said it looked good. Phew! I headed north to the radio
towers, got high, then Tom came over and did the same, and we took that mutha OTB!
I made it a couple miles east of Wiley PA, on the MD/PA border, east of I-83. I'd
have to say that the hardest part of the flight was crossing the valley immediately
over the back. The Michaux was intimidating, but I was at about 6k with some clouds
in sight halfway across, and some zero-sink/light-lift going in. So I thought, 'What
the hell, go for it! You can always land in that quarry over there.'
Once across I thermalled with a sailplane at Fairfield airport, enjoying the view
from above of course.
Also noticed a fair amount of iron heading toward
DCA or Dulles, flying along Route 15. I'm glad they were above the clouds and we
were below.
It was simply a great flight! Tom and I flew together for much of it, until Hanover
where he skirted north and I skirted south. North was the better choice, cloudwise,
but I was lower at that point and the clouds he was headed for seemed pretty
wind-whipped... So I was thinking I'd just end up on the ground if I followed. So
I stayed south, trying to dodge around a blue hole. Did pretty well for a while,
got back to 7k MSL, but eventually ran out of steam and had to pick a field and
put it down.
I've been hoping for a flight like this for a LONG time, and I am PSYCHED!
I'll let the others tell their own tales.
MarkC
Was.....
FANTASTIC!!!!
A day of firsts for me: 78 miles (exactly!) downwind from the Pulpit, first time I've broken
50 miles, by far my longest open-country XC to date. Previous personal bests have been in
the 40+ range (and rare!), so to say that I'm stoked would be a huge understatement!
First time crossing the Michaux State Forest.
First time successfully crossing many streets, without decking it for a change!
Four pilots today: Tom M, Pete, Janni, myself. Meinhaj was driving, courtesy of
arrangements made by Tom (thanks Meinhaj!!!). We had an XC-squadron out there, with
several of us all landing within a few miles of each other.
I was first off, from the slot, then Tom, then Pete, then Janni. Some spectators
helped with the last two launches. It was pretty strong when I launched, but the
cycle was good and the crew said it looked good. Phew! I headed north to the radio
towers, got high, then Tom came over and did the same, and we took that mutha OTB!
I made it a couple miles east of Wiley PA, on the MD/PA border, east of I-83. I'd
have to say that the hardest part of the flight was crossing the valley immediately
over the back. The Michaux was intimidating, but I was at about 6k with some clouds
in sight halfway across, and some zero-sink/light-lift going in. So I thought, 'What
the hell, go for it! You can always land in that quarry over there.'
Once across I thermalled with a sailplane at Fairfield airport, enjoying the view
from above of course.
Also noticed a fair amount of iron heading towardDCA or Dulles, flying along Route 15. I'm glad they were above the clouds and we
were below.
It was simply a great flight! Tom and I flew together for much of it, until Hanover
where he skirted north and I skirted south. North was the better choice, cloudwise,
but I was lower at that point and the clouds he was headed for seemed pretty
wind-whipped... So I was thinking I'd just end up on the ground if I followed. So
I stayed south, trying to dodge around a blue hole. Did pretty well for a while,
got back to 7k MSL, but eventually ran out of steam and had to pick a field and
put it down.
I've been hoping for a flight like this for a LONG time, and I am PSYCHED!
I'll let the others tell their own tales.
MarkC
Re: Tuesday
PS: Thanks to Tom for spotting the potential for a good day and shaking
the branches in the hopes that some pilots would fall out.
the branches in the hopes that some pilots would fall out.
Re: Tuesday
Woohoo! Big congratulations to all of you! Who says we don't fly XC in Region IX?! - Hugh
Re: Tuesday
Wow! Congratulations Mark!
Awesome write up, nice way to start a Wednesday morning.
Awesome write up, nice way to start a Wednesday morning.
Dan Tuckwiller
My HG Videos - sorted by site
My HG Videos - sorted by site
Re: Tuesday
Here's my story:
Arrived at 11.30 and saw three intense pilots hurrying to get ready. They all had but one thought in their mind, distance! I guess Larry's inspirational 200 mile flight put a rocket up everybody's butt. Not expecting much for myself I set up, smoked a few and helped the others off. I launched last when Mark and Tom had already left the ridge.
Took me some time to get to base. A nice street was forming and I went OTB praying not to suck. Tom and Mark had already crossed the Michaux. I made the valley without ever getting low and jumped my first street when I realized I was too South off my course line. Arrived at the HR ridge with lot's of altitude but the clouds indicated no ride for me over the Michaux State Forest. They were drying up and I was getting low, trying to figure out what to do. Decided to soar High Rock for a while and went there when another street was forming right behind me. Turned around, went upwind and took the street over the Michaux. Came out at base and found even more awesome conditions for the next 40 miles. Never got low.
I was totally stoked when I saw the Baltimore Skyline South from my position. I was also totally beat, I'd been flying for 4 hours now, without water, food and just a short sleeve on. A cramp in my left thigh was announcing its coming on top of everything. Even puling the VG chord became too hard and the thought of landing became more and more attractive. So, while conditions were still good I lost my focus and my will to stay up. Went on glide for some extra miles, skipped lift and picked a reall sh*tty field to land in. I think with better preparation and more stamina 100 miles would have been possible yesterday. It took me 20 minutes to walk the glider out of the field, I was done.
Still, 77 miles. I totally kicked butt yesterday. I'm also stoked that the 460 XC miles or so of the last 2 weeks were achieved by pilots who chose to launch from the new pad. The new launch is paying off big time.
I would like to thank Tom for calling this epic day and including me in his XC arrangements. I would also like to thank Meinhaj for being a very skilled wire-crew man and driver.
Arrived at 11.30 and saw three intense pilots hurrying to get ready. They all had but one thought in their mind, distance! I guess Larry's inspirational 200 mile flight put a rocket up everybody's butt. Not expecting much for myself I set up, smoked a few and helped the others off. I launched last when Mark and Tom had already left the ridge.
Took me some time to get to base. A nice street was forming and I went OTB praying not to suck. Tom and Mark had already crossed the Michaux. I made the valley without ever getting low and jumped my first street when I realized I was too South off my course line. Arrived at the HR ridge with lot's of altitude but the clouds indicated no ride for me over the Michaux State Forest. They were drying up and I was getting low, trying to figure out what to do. Decided to soar High Rock for a while and went there when another street was forming right behind me. Turned around, went upwind and took the street over the Michaux. Came out at base and found even more awesome conditions for the next 40 miles. Never got low.
I was totally stoked when I saw the Baltimore Skyline South from my position. I was also totally beat, I'd been flying for 4 hours now, without water, food and just a short sleeve on. A cramp in my left thigh was announcing its coming on top of everything. Even puling the VG chord became too hard and the thought of landing became more and more attractive. So, while conditions were still good I lost my focus and my will to stay up. Went on glide for some extra miles, skipped lift and picked a reall sh*tty field to land in. I think with better preparation and more stamina 100 miles would have been possible yesterday. It took me 20 minutes to walk the glider out of the field, I was done.
Still, 77 miles. I totally kicked butt yesterday. I'm also stoked that the 460 XC miles or so of the last 2 weeks were achieved by pilots who chose to launch from the new pad. The new launch is paying off big time.
I would like to thank Tom for calling this epic day and including me in his XC arrangements. I would also like to thank Meinhaj for being a very skilled wire-crew man and driver.
#1 Rogue Pilot
Re: Tuesday
Friggin' Awesome
It's begining to look like region IX has their Underdogs ready for some XC contention...
Congratulations to you guys! I hope to learn the XC tricks and join ya'll soon!
I hope that we can continue this trend through to the HR and Pulpit Flyins....
BTW, If I don't have newer vario with GPS to record my flight, How can I certify
my flight and distance?
Thanks again for making Region IX shine,
Mike
It's begining to look like region IX has their Underdogs ready for some XC contention...
Congratulations to you guys! I hope to learn the XC tricks and join ya'll soon!
I hope that we can continue this trend through to the HR and Pulpit Flyins....
BTW, If I don't have newer vario with GPS to record my flight, How can I certify
my flight and distance?
Thanks again for making Region IX shine,
Mike
Mike Lee
How 'Bout That
How 'Bout That
Re: Tuesday
Congrats to all! I was on the radio around 3p trying to get ahold of you all but your were too far south. Three pilots out at the 75 mile mark, too cool! I'm regretting leaving to Idaho with the weather being this good. Oh well, keep pushing (safely) and I'll see you all in August.
Ciao
Ciao
Bun
-
Pete Schumann
- Posts: 105
- Joined: Fri Jan 06, 2006 11:30 am
Re: Tuesday
Big thanks to Tom and our driver Meinhaj. Also thanks to some local Mennonites who we pressed into wire crew service.
I first ran one potential crew guy through some basic wire crew training before getting on the new ramp.
"When I say clear no matter what let go" got it? Yes... Cool, CLEAR! he held on with a death grip...
So I did a few more tests with that crew man.
I was a few miles behind Tom and Mark by the time I got high to go OTB. Got low at about 10 miles out and was thinking on giving up but got some encouragement to keep trying from Tom and Meinhaj. I slowly climbed up enough to cross 81 south of Mark and Tom's positions. Tom was trying to get up to cross the Michaux. I got up to 4000' over launch after I crossed 81 above the field where Tom landed last Sunday.
At that point I had a decision to make. Go north and try and get up with Tom to cross the Michaux or make my personal goal for this year to get to High Rock from the Pulpit. I went for my goal, flew over Waynesboro PA and went for the Rock.
I made it at about 500' over the launch and soared the until Meinhaj was close to the LZ then went out and landed. I had 2.5 + hrs in the air. It took about an hour for me to cross the valley after going OTB.
It was pretty cool for me to make my own goal. Then off to races to find Tom, Mark and Janni. They kicked butt...
We all had a great time. Home by 1:00 a.m. Thanks to Larry B. as well forsome motivational spirit.
Pete
I first ran one potential crew guy through some basic wire crew training before getting on the new ramp.
"When I say clear no matter what let go" got it? Yes... Cool, CLEAR! he held on with a death grip...
So I did a few more tests with that crew man.I was a few miles behind Tom and Mark by the time I got high to go OTB. Got low at about 10 miles out and was thinking on giving up but got some encouragement to keep trying from Tom and Meinhaj. I slowly climbed up enough to cross 81 south of Mark and Tom's positions. Tom was trying to get up to cross the Michaux. I got up to 4000' over launch after I crossed 81 above the field where Tom landed last Sunday.
At that point I had a decision to make. Go north and try and get up with Tom to cross the Michaux or make my personal goal for this year to get to High Rock from the Pulpit. I went for my goal, flew over Waynesboro PA and went for the Rock.
I made it at about 500' over the launch and soared the until Meinhaj was close to the LZ then went out and landed. I had 2.5 + hrs in the air. It took about an hour for me to cross the valley after going OTB.
It was pretty cool for me to make my own goal. Then off to races to find Tom, Mark and Janni. They kicked butt...
We all had a great time. Home by 1:00 a.m. Thanks to Larry B. as well forsome motivational spirit.
Pete
-
pink_albatross
- Posts: 599
- Joined: Fri Jan 07, 2005 12:20 pm
- Location: Ellis from Arlington
Re: Tuesday
make that another WOW
WOW
WOW
-
John Simon
- Posts: 300
- Joined: Fri Feb 11, 2005 12:33 pm
Re: Tuesday
Totally Rippin' Tuesday all around!! Nice job and congrats to all, especially those with new personal records. We seem to have quite a few weekday fliers lurking around? Very nice. Lot's of Region 9 XC on Tuesday. Keep it up!
John
John
-
Danny Brotto
- Posts: 709
- Joined: Mon Feb 14, 2005 9:29 pm
Re: Tuesday
Very nice you guys. BTW, anyone crossing that swath of trees known as Michaux State Forrest should be granted 10 extra miles for the effort!
Danny Brotto
Danny Brotto
Re: Tuesday
Wish I could have been there with you guys, but just coming off of a week's vacation and the PTO bank is low. Congratulations. I'm still looking for the flights you guys got yesterday. Maybe this Sunday.
Bacil
Bacil
Re: Tuesday
I don't want to be only one to not post about our flights Tuesday. It was definitely a great day at the Pulpit. The drift was a little more NW/SE than I wanted to get to Elkton, so we had to fly cross wind after most good climbs.
I stayed on the ridge for about 5 minutes before going over the back, but I should have stayed 7 minutes. My vario was making sounds that I have not heard since Texas, and when it dropped to a mere 700 up, I tried to re-center the thermal. Instead, I lost it completely and found myself 2500 over and drifting too far over the back to fly back out front. However, Mark hung around at base for a while marking the lift and I finally climbed out to 7,000 msl a few miles over the back. The next test was the Michaux forest. I got low due to impatience and diving to a cloud that was likely to be waning when I got there. I hung out over the edge of the forest for a half hour or so taking light thermals back then flying out front. I was able to maintain between 3,500-4,000 msl, but on the tenth try, I hooked a good one and found myselft at base in the middle of the Michaux. I was still over 7,000 msl when I reached the eastern side. At that point, I found Mark and we flew together toward Hanover. The clouds were plentiful and I stayed over 6,000 for the most part.
East of Hanover, I got low working clouds on the north side of the lake at Codorus State Park. Mark went south where a nice cloud formed. I blundered into a solid climb to 8,000 msl east of the lakes and then headed downwind. I never found another good climb but did extend things by working light lift.
I landed on High Rock road near New Park Pa. When I told the farmer that we have a launch called High Rock, he said that he had been there many times to see the hang gliders. Talk about a small world. I believe I had 77 or so miles.
Mark and Janni landed at about the same time all within 5 miles of each other.
After reading Larry's post and lessons learned, I should have slowed down even more after than last good climb. I also thought about heading toward wispies, but didn't try that option early enough. After landing, the clouds did improve some. The day could have "paused" and then re-organized into workable lift.
Still, a stellar day and my PR for the Pulpit. All four of us had great flights and a great time. Thanks to Mark, Janni and Pete for coming out. And a special thanks to Meinhaj who is ever helpful and encouraging to keep going.
Tom McGowan
I stayed on the ridge for about 5 minutes before going over the back, but I should have stayed 7 minutes. My vario was making sounds that I have not heard since Texas, and when it dropped to a mere 700 up, I tried to re-center the thermal. Instead, I lost it completely and found myself 2500 over and drifting too far over the back to fly back out front. However, Mark hung around at base for a while marking the lift and I finally climbed out to 7,000 msl a few miles over the back. The next test was the Michaux forest. I got low due to impatience and diving to a cloud that was likely to be waning when I got there. I hung out over the edge of the forest for a half hour or so taking light thermals back then flying out front. I was able to maintain between 3,500-4,000 msl, but on the tenth try, I hooked a good one and found myselft at base in the middle of the Michaux. I was still over 7,000 msl when I reached the eastern side. At that point, I found Mark and we flew together toward Hanover. The clouds were plentiful and I stayed over 6,000 for the most part.
East of Hanover, I got low working clouds on the north side of the lake at Codorus State Park. Mark went south where a nice cloud formed. I blundered into a solid climb to 8,000 msl east of the lakes and then headed downwind. I never found another good climb but did extend things by working light lift.
I landed on High Rock road near New Park Pa. When I told the farmer that we have a launch called High Rock, he said that he had been there many times to see the hang gliders. Talk about a small world. I believe I had 77 or so miles.
Mark and Janni landed at about the same time all within 5 miles of each other.
After reading Larry's post and lessons learned, I should have slowed down even more after than last good climb. I also thought about heading toward wispies, but didn't try that option early enough. After landing, the clouds did improve some. The day could have "paused" and then re-organized into workable lift.
Still, a stellar day and my PR for the Pulpit. All four of us had great flights and a great time. Thanks to Mark, Janni and Pete for coming out. And a special thanks to Meinhaj who is ever helpful and encouraging to keep going.
Tom McGowan
Re: Tuesday
Great stories.
I don't remember the last time so many got to go that far in this region.
You also prove that XC from HR is possible
Carlos
I don't remember the last time so many got to go that far in this region.
You also prove that XC from HR is possible
Carlos
Re: Tuesday
It was a great day and I was glad to be a part of it. Thanks to Tom, Mark, Pete and Janni for all the generous words expressed. I hope we can do this again soon and head for New Jersey or Atlantic City. Not that we were not all exhausted after this flight!
We went back to the Pulpit afterwards and managed to take some photos for Tuesday's Heroes - Tom, Pete, Mark and Janni. While coming back we also celebrated at a Pizza place and entertained ourselves in the long drive by turning the GPS to German and having Janni translate. There was a great esprit de corps, and we all became like a bunch of college kids on a wild road trip (but we didn't smoke weed).
My personal highlight for the day was being able to find the High Rock LZ - that's the only site in the region I haven't driven in. But I eventually managed to find Pete after finding Kettle Pot or Coffee Pot or Pot Kettle Boiling Coffee or whatever lane and was there before Pete had broken down. Its the most fun job I've ever had, even better than when I was a Financial Analyst and had a shared secretary. What makes it most fun are the people - a great bunch to wonderful people to "hang" around with.
We came back to the Pulpit and I managed to take some photos - although it was pitch dark and the battery was low so they didn't come out very good. My apologies to Tom for blinding him with the flash for the last picture.
http://i708.photobucket.com/albums/ww88 ... 010016.jpg
http://i708.photobucket.com/albums/ww88 ... 010017.jpg
http://i708.photobucket.com/albums/ww88 ... 010018.jpg
We went back to the Pulpit afterwards and managed to take some photos for Tuesday's Heroes - Tom, Pete, Mark and Janni. While coming back we also celebrated at a Pizza place and entertained ourselves in the long drive by turning the GPS to German and having Janni translate. There was a great esprit de corps, and we all became like a bunch of college kids on a wild road trip (but we didn't smoke weed).
My personal highlight for the day was being able to find the High Rock LZ - that's the only site in the region I haven't driven in. But I eventually managed to find Pete after finding Kettle Pot or Coffee Pot or Pot Kettle Boiling Coffee or whatever lane and was there before Pete had broken down. Its the most fun job I've ever had, even better than when I was a Financial Analyst and had a shared secretary. What makes it most fun are the people - a great bunch to wonderful people to "hang" around with.
We came back to the Pulpit and I managed to take some photos - although it was pitch dark and the battery was low so they didn't come out very good. My apologies to Tom for blinding him with the flash for the last picture.
http://i708.photobucket.com/albums/ww88 ... 010016.jpg
http://i708.photobucket.com/albums/ww88 ... 010017.jpg
http://i708.photobucket.com/albums/ww88 ... 010018.jpg
