Woodstock

[PKane]

Anyone flying Woodstock Fri. 4/9/10?

[XCanytime]

Yes. Gary Smith and I will be there by 4PM tomorrow. Bacil

[PKane]

Is that because you think it will be better late or you have other obligations. I have only flown Woodstock 4 times so and am not familiar with what works there, ie; the Woodstock affect. Peter 804 six7seven 0one23

[XCanytime]

It should settle down after 5PM. Before that it will be strong. Saturday early will work at Woodstock too. I plan on flying early Saturday at Woodstock also, especially if tomorrow's predicted throttleback after 5PM does not occur. Bacil

[PKane]

What is the Woodstock effect. Is it stronger or lighter than predictions. Peter

[XCanytime]

The WGE, as I call it (Woodstock Gradient Effect) makes the winds lighter than predicted by the higher upwind terrain "shadowing" the area around the Woodstock launch. Tomorrow will be good early at Woodstock as well. Bacil

[chuckok]

If I can get away from D.C. early enough ... I may try to join the late croud to target being set-up before 5:00. Crossing fingers for timing ... and for a"go" from an observer (I've been off of Woodstock twice to date ... one roudy sled ride and one 1-1/2 hour early afternoon of flying).

[chuckok]

Drat ... timing didn't work out ... still stuck in DC.

[XCanytime]

Chuck,
No biggie. I had to turn around due to a family thing and come home. Gary and I hope to be at Woodstock early tomorrow. Bacil

[mcelrah]

Rats, I was hoping to see that you all had been out and had flown - but I fear it would not have worked for you. I flew a sailplane today (Friday) at Front Royal in strong (15-20 at the surface) conditions at midday. Wave was coming but hadn't set up yet (tonight!) but there was thermal lift to 6650. I had a rodeo tow to 4700, got up and penetrated toward Strasburg but retreated to work thermals NE (several miles NE) of Signal Knob for a total of 2 hours. After 1 PM it started to get even gnarlier, with small (for a sailplane) strong thermals and equally deep potholes. Carried plenty of altitude and 60-65 mph to land (5-10 more than normal). - Hugh
P.S. I does sometimes happen that the sailplane drivers will declare it too gnarly and the hangies are OK...

[XCanytime]

Hugh,
I actually dropped by Front Royal Airport about 12:20ish and saw a sailplane get towed up in some low level rowdy air. Was that you with the rudder being utilized a lot at 10' to 30' AGL? There was a Grob getting readied and the Pawnee tow plane came over and parked beside it when I left for launch.

Bacil

[mcelrah]

I was up at 6000 in the club's single-seater Schweizer SGS 1-36 Sprite at that time, but yeah, full rudder deflection and aileron were required on tow all day. Let's jump over the back from the reservoir above Strasburg and land at Front Royal someday. I bought an aviation-band hand-held just so we can call in as we enter the pattern to put s**t on the sailplane drivers! - Hugh

[XCanytime]

It's a deal! Looking forward to landing there again, this time with a camera. Bacil