Finally found a reasonable day and got a flight off Sandia Crest. It was a light conditions situation and I thought it would be a sled but managed to get a thermal on my way to the LZ and got above launch for a 50 min flight. Bo Frazier a local Sandia pilot checked me out on the launch for my flight. Unfortunately the winds shifted after may launch and he did not get a flight. The local pilots have been extremely helpful since I got here and have gone out of their way to try to get me in the air. Weather has not been cooperative until today.
We are looking at frost tonight with some rain/ snow possible over the next two day.
Hope you have great weather for the High Rock Flyin.
Joe
Sandia
Moderator: CHGPA BOD
Re: Sandia
I assume you landed out front(?) Where is the LZ? It used to be a very small park with switchy winds.
Re: Sandia
I landed out front in their primary LZ which is, as you say a very small park, surrounded by houses and 12ft dranage ditch, a fence or two but no power lines. Winds were switchy (fortunately light) but and changed from south west to due east just after I landed. I managed to put the glider right in the middle of the nice grassy area but was a little late with the flare. On my feet though and no wack.
Joe
Joe
Re: Sandia
Cool! Congrats, Joe! Which glider did you use - do they fly bagwings there too? - Hugh
Re: Sandia
Hugh,
They do fly bag wings but it is a very steep PG launch with no opportunity for a second chance inflation before committing to launch. Bo, who also flys PGs, does not recommend the Peak to PG pilots as there are other sites much more favorable to PG Launches.
Now Thursday was another good day. On this birthday, I got my trailer fixed at no cost, got in anothe great flight from Sandia Crest (falcon) and then found the bar that should not be passed in Albuquerque: MOLLY'S BAR AND PACKAGE STORE. Music every night, an eclectic crowd of people, and a pizza trailer next door that will deliver pizza to your table in the bar. The bar is located on old rt 66 at the route 14 interchange of I 44 east of Albuquerque. No hang gliding trip west should pass this place without stopping for the night at the Bar ( Of course one should fly there before arrival just to make for a great day).
I am headed to Bajada mesa today to try to fly there. Cliff launch as I understand it on a low mesa. Top landable.
By the way, Bo Frazier is from Linchburg, VA. He is a friend of Nelson Lewis and I presume some of you may know him. Bo had a great flight yesterday with me and managed a low save over the LZ to climb back to 10,550 before calling it a day after a couple hours of flying.
Joe
They do fly bag wings but it is a very steep PG launch with no opportunity for a second chance inflation before committing to launch. Bo, who also flys PGs, does not recommend the Peak to PG pilots as there are other sites much more favorable to PG Launches.
Now Thursday was another good day. On this birthday, I got my trailer fixed at no cost, got in anothe great flight from Sandia Crest (falcon) and then found the bar that should not be passed in Albuquerque: MOLLY'S BAR AND PACKAGE STORE. Music every night, an eclectic crowd of people, and a pizza trailer next door that will deliver pizza to your table in the bar. The bar is located on old rt 66 at the route 14 interchange of I 44 east of Albuquerque. No hang gliding trip west should pass this place without stopping for the night at the Bar ( Of course one should fly there before arrival just to make for a great day).
I am headed to Bajada mesa today to try to fly there. Cliff launch as I understand it on a low mesa. Top landable.
By the way, Bo Frazier is from Linchburg, VA. He is a friend of Nelson Lewis and I presume some of you may know him. Bo had a great flight yesterday with me and managed a low save over the LZ to climb back to 10,550 before calling it a day after a couple hours of flying.
Joe
Re: Sandia
Weather was good Friday for La Bajada mesa flight. This is a 600 foot mesa with a rocky cliff edge. Winds were 20-28 straight-in and the air smooth with top landing option. I elevatored up on launch and boated around for 45min.
Saturday was a spectacular day at Sandia Crest with15 to twenty HG and PGs flying. Bill Lemon hosted an annual party at his house after the flying. I made the mistake of getting too far out in front early and spend my hour of flying scratching over the LZ trying to get back up. It was still one of the best days here in a long time. The PG and HG folks fly well together here.
The next few days are forecast to stay blown out. I man not get in any more flights for a week or so.
Joe
Saturday was a spectacular day at Sandia Crest with15 to twenty HG and PGs flying. Bill Lemon hosted an annual party at his house after the flying. I made the mistake of getting too far out in front early and spend my hour of flying scratching over the LZ trying to get back up. It was still one of the best days here in a long time. The PG and HG folks fly well together here.
The next few days are forecast to stay blown out. I man not get in any more flights for a week or so.
Joe