High Rock Fly-in in peril?

[dbodner]

Rich Hays says...

"Tried posting this on the List Server but was having trouble with the password ( again ).

Anyway...

Leigh and I are going to take a break from coordinating and hosting the High Rock Fly In which was tenatively scheduled for the 3rd weekend in September. Sorry guys.

We've done it for years and years and well......we're burned out. Not to be drama queens but honestly we're a little shell shocked over losing George and our hearts are not in it this year.

So...I appologize for stomping up and down to get the September date for it so that we'd not conflict with the Hyner Fly In, Pulpit stuff, etc. But we're just not going to do it this year. Maybe next. We need a break and some time to get over the loss of our friend and VP of MHGA.

If somebody else wants to step up; great. In fact...I think it would be a good thing. Takers?

We are also not hosting the MHGA meeting this September either. The next MHGA meeting will be in December. Same reasons as above and...that it would conflict with the Labor Day weekend stuff. Time heals all wounds. Need some time. Thanks.


Respectfully,

Richard Hays
Maryland Hanggliding Association"

No one can blame Rich for wanting to take a break with all that's happened. I hope we'll be able to step up and make the fly-in happen.

[RedBaron]

In sad times such as these of course you have to take a break and heal.
I want to applaud Richard and Leigh for having spared no effort to support Emma Jane and try to make each HR Fly-In a memorable experience. At the last one, when I wasn't at my best coping with the loss of a loved one Richard got me back out my tent in the middle of the night serenading me with his guitar. I thought of it really gay but couldn't help but appreciate the attention, humour and surprising angle only an MHGA member can come up with.
Thank you, thank you, thank you.

[Matthew]

How about and Ad-Hoc High Rock Fly-In? It worked for the Ad-Hoc Pulpit Fly-In. If it looks like a good weekend in Sept or October, throw the glider and camping gear in the car, pack some beer and a dish to share. We can gather firewood, maybe bring a grill or two, etc. Maybe a certain someone can be convinced into bring some pyrotechnics. Put up a collection plate and everyone throw in a cople of extra bucks for Emma Jane-- -viola-- Fly-In.

Matthew
PS We actually did this once before-- it was organized by the man of honor-- Janni.

[davidtheamazing1]

I like the impromptu idea. Can Everyone block out the next Sat/Sun that can be accurately forecast to be NW 10-15mph. It might be good to post what you could/would bring. Assuming I can make it, I'll bring ... dessert.

[davidtheamazing1]

If such a perfect weekend ended up with an expanded P-40 TFR, does anyone know how long it would take to get the Secret Service exemption approved?

[dbodner]

Though the ad-hoc Pulpit fly-in was a success, I think we at least ought to plan on a specific weekend. I think we're more likely to take our sledder at HR in marginally light conditions. At Pulpit, many of us are worried about whether we'll make the primary.

However, the BYO aspect may be the way to go.

[RedBaron]

Look guys, you've almost come around 100% of my way of thinking. Let me give you one more little push here
What does Emma Jane care if you fly HR or the Pulpit as long as you have your party in the HR LZ, spend time with her and and make donations.
Pick a weekend that looks like it's going to be WNW and decide on that day whether you want to fly the Pulpit or HR. If it's W or if a TFR is in effect you fly the Pulpit. Ambitious pilots will always fly the Pulpit and try to land in the HR LZ, anyway. Crossing the valley on a good day is remarkably easy, a wonderful experience and will make for a great HR party and generous minds.

[markc]

Man, sometimes I think that people just don't realize that "real life" intervenes with
distressing frequency, and that the ad-hoc approach has as many downsides as it has
advantages.

Kids. Work. Responsibilities.

If the majority of pilots were in their 20's, none of that would matter.

But that's not the case, is it?

My own preference:

Pick a date.

Pick a "the weather totally sucks " backup date.

Plan your event around the first date, with the option of bailing to the second.

If the conditions suck on the second date... Well....

SUCK IT UP, and realize that the event might be more
social/support/fund-raising/etc-oriented, rather than
flying-oriented.

Having an actual firm date(s), which people can **PLAN** around, **DOES**
make things simpler!

Maybe I'm totally off-base on this, and if so, I'll eat crow. But I don't think I am....

MarkC

[davidtheamazing1]

OK, I'm fine with either way. Any thoughts for the "target" weekend? With the understanding that as of the Friday before it, there must be at least one day of easily "H2 flyable" forecast, or its postponed to the next week. How about we aim for the Sep 26-27th weekend? Alt weekend Oct 3-4?

[markc]

Sept 26/27 and Oct 3/4 sound good. The Hyner Ox-Roast is Oct 8-11, so no conflict
there. But whoever's going to spearhead things should check that the dates are ok with
Emma-Jane.

As for making the call based on H2-able or not: Hmmm, might be easier than it sounds.
Sometimes, strong NW winds that are ok for more experienced pilots will mellow out
by day's end, such that 2's can fly. And sometimes that just doesn't happen.

So, if the forecasts were calling for NW 15 (rather than, say, 10-15), would you
scrub in favor of the next weekend? And pass up a day that was definitely flyable?

I think it might be easier to limit the 'scrub' options to: a) it will rain on the first
weekend; b) the wind direction is COMPLETELY inappropriate for the Rock .

MarkC