friday the 5th

[jyoder111]

Looks to be NW and just above freezing. I'm up for Woodstock or the Pulpit if it pans out and an observer is interested. Might go to Smithsburg otherwise.

I hear there's a stack of firewood at the Pulpit.

[Ward Odenwald]

If the forecast holds and no work issues appear, I'm planing on going to the Pulpit.
Ward

[chuckok]

Subscribing to this thread ... there's an outside chance I may be able to join as well.

[jyoder111]

Forecast is looking good. No observers yet, however. I know folks have to work and the cold can be intimidating, but here's hoping.

[cthornberger]

For me at least, Smithsburg looks too good for me to pass up.
I'll take the cold for 7-10mph and straight in.

[jyoder111]

Looks like I might see you there, Chris. What time were you thinking of getting out there?

[cthornberger]

I'll be there by 10AM.

If anything comes up, feel free to give me a call - *(618) nine-seven-four-3486.

[sailin]

Hey Jesse and Chris,
Doesn't look like there will be any observers for the Pulpit tomorrow so I might try and join you at Smithsburg. I won't be able to make it until close to noon though....will you guys still be around?

thanks,
Jon

[chuckok]

Looks like Ward's going to bail for Friday in favor of Saturday .... But, I'm still good for Friday. Both Pulpit and Woodstock are potential options (Woodstock possibly on the light side).

[jyoder111]

I have to bail on tomorrow. Something came up. Plus, I'm taking the GRE on Saturday and should probably study..

[sailin]

Sounds good Jesse. Good luck on your test!!! I'm going to play it by ear and see what the morning brings before deciding on where to go and what to do.

Jon

[cthornberger]

I'm still heading out to Smithsburg.
C-ya out there.

[cthornberger]

Nice, busy weekend! Friday - 7 flights from atop Smithsburg. A little snow flurry to welcome the winter. Afterward, the hang-Christmas party at Rich's.
Saturday - nice and not-so early, back to Smithsburg for 7 more excellent flights with wind about 7-9mph.
Just a little sore
Good flyin' -to the paragliders out there today and the guys out there Friday. It was nice to see you all.

[mingram]

My first time at Smithsburg was a blast! Ellis, Carlos, and Cragin were already there. I think I spent about 4 hours total kiting, flying, soaring, touching down for a couple of steps, soaring some more, fluttering the brakes on landing, and then kiting the wing back up the hill forward and reverse to do it all over again. Hagerstown Airport hourly observations were W to NW from 7-12 mph which seems pretty accurate. There was about a 25 degree cross from either direction on the hill. There was no parawaiting for a straight cycle; I took every opportunity to practice crosswind launches. I met Chris who displayed his prowess at milking every drop out of his flights - obviously a veteran of Smithsburg. I followed his lead and zigzagged down the hill to extend soaring opportunities. I also met Eddie who opened the site and took the first flight there in 1984.

A little after midday the wind picked up and I got caught too far up the hill which caused me to get pushed over the back. The hill flattens out and I wasn't able to penetrate even though I was completely leaning forward hard with my hands up. I should have reversed to face the wing sooner and pulled in one of the brakes all the way to disable the wing, but I ended up falling down and getting dragged a little. After that incident I setup a little farther down the hill.

Today transported me back to my first time I felt truly connected with my wing while learning to paraglide on the training hill in Santa Barbara last December. Since then I've been so focused on thermalling and getting enough airtime to complete my P3 (I have the 20 hours, just gotta take the test) that I forgot how much fun it is to just play on the hill. The conditions were consistent enough to make it feel like my wing was in the air for the entire 4 hours. What a great workout! I'll definitely going back for more.

Matt

[hang_pilot]

I joined Chris at Smithsburg on Friday. It was my second recent trip to a training hill to exorcise some bad habits I've let creep into my launches: transitioning/proning out too early (usually light wind days) and letting my nose come up (usually stronger conditions). In either case, I end up flying away from the mountain with too low an airspeed.

I had a horrible day at Taylor a few weeks ago. I was using a training harness and couldn't run in it to save my life...not blaming the harness for my bad technique, but it made a bad situation worse. I eventually took off the knee hangers and had some better results.

I had a redeeming day at Smithsburg on Friday with five good launches and landings before the wind went cross and light and we packed it in. I'd still like to practice the AOA control in stronger conditions. So, if anyone is looking for a training hill buddy, keep me in mind. I have some midweek availability right now.

Chris's flights looked great. Hopefully Santa will slip a H2 exam under his x-mas tree!

~Daniel