Spent an hour and thirty eight minutes carving up big-ones, tight-ones, mellow-ones and butt-kicking “where in the hell did that one go” thermals. Made it to over 4 grand twice and spent most of the best flight in 23 years between 2 and 3 K. At least 10 other pilots most likely had one of there best days this week (or weeks) including the Highland crew that introduced many of their students to thermalology. Steve (can’t remember his last name but flies a Sport 2) went XC for 10 plus miles. Here’s some photos.
Ward
Thermal Bliss over the Ridgely Countryside
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Ward Odenwald
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Thermal Bliss over the Ridgely Countryside
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John Simon
- Posts: 300
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Re: Thermal Bliss over the Ridgely Countryside
A truly spectacular day at Highland. I arrived early due to the wife of me wanting to fly early in her (semi) new Sport 2. At just before noon, clouds started to pop and Bob launched. He stayed up without climbing greatly but he did not come down. I launched and pinned off at 1100 or so in solid and wide lift.
I got a good climb and it got stronger as it went up with some mild cloud suck as I approached base at 4300' and over 600 fpm. I dove away and back again, wing overs and spirals to get down and then back up again. Over and over I found good lift, smooth and strong and climbed up to base which was rising and would reach 5000' before I called it quits to watch the second half of the ALDS (Boston). I saw 720 fpm on the averager and spent a good deal of time up in the colder parts of the sky. I dove down to warm up a couple times only to stooge into more lift and climb again.
Flew with 2 bald eagles after Steve Kinsley nearly adopted one. Joe G., Ward, Steve, Mattew and Karen, Heather, Bob and others in a gorgeous and friendly sky. Great day.
John
I got a good climb and it got stronger as it went up with some mild cloud suck as I approached base at 4300' and over 600 fpm. I dove away and back again, wing overs and spirals to get down and then back up again. Over and over I found good lift, smooth and strong and climbed up to base which was rising and would reach 5000' before I called it quits to watch the second half of the ALDS (Boston). I saw 720 fpm on the averager and spent a good deal of time up in the colder parts of the sky. I dove down to warm up a couple times only to stooge into more lift and climb again.
Flew with 2 bald eagles after Steve Kinsley nearly adopted one. Joe G., Ward, Steve, Mattew and Karen, Heather, Bob and others in a gorgeous and friendly sky. Great day.
John
Re: Thermal Bliss over the Ridgely Countryside
It sure was great air but cooooold.. It has been a bit of a strange summer for me since I had open heart surgery in June. I am feeling great and the flight Sunday sure made me feel a lot better. I came down after an your because I was so cold. By the end of the flight it had turned on with smooth lift but by that time I had my limit on the cold. Great to be back in the air again.. I did fly a few weeks ago but I missed most of the summer.
Christian
Christian