Looks like the weather is going to cooperate for this weekend--- keep those fingers crossed!!!
Does anyone know the conditions of the primary LZ, the back field of the primary and the seconday-- grasss height-- crops-- etc.????? Bacil?????
If so, would you please provide an update?
Thanks,
Matthew
Pulpit Fly-In-- LZ Conditions
Moderator: CHGPA BOD
Re: Pulpit Fly-In-- LZ Conditions
Two weekends ago the grass was high enough to be a concern. I'd say above the knee and below the hip. I think it was tall on the top half too. I don't know about the secondary, I didn't see it. Mark C, flew it and should be better able to give details.
Dan
Dan
Re: Pulpit Fly-In-- LZ Conditions
I wanted to put together an 'edumacational' post about my recent landing at The Pulpit, to emphasize how important it is not to fixate on a single approach plan. But I don't have time for that, and this topic is relevant, so.....
When I flew a couple weeks ago, Dan Tm and I talked about the LZ conditions, and I knew that I would probably have to call an audible. I had a very hazy recollection of the LZ that lies just across the road from the primary (never actually landed in it), and figured that's where I would go if things were iffy.
After a very nice flight, I flew out into the valley with plenty of altitude to scope out what was going on. The main had been recently planted, and the seedlings were *just* poking up their heads. So I scratched the field because of the likelihood of crop damage (lots easier to avoid damage once the plants are a bit more mature).
Then I flew over the upper LZ, at least 500' above. "Hmmm.... I didn't realize that there was a little creek bed on that end of the LZ... Oh! Not a creek bed. That's where the deer have been hanging out to stay cool. OH!!! That grass has gotta be DAMN TALL!"
So then I headed across the street, and made a couple of passes. "Hmmm.... I __think__ I see a bit of a downslope, and then an upslope, before the planted section (trying to convince myself that things were as I imagined them to be).
Well... No.
Road. Then very tall grass. Then an unplanted section with a brief upslope. Then a slight downslope toward the planted section. Like a complete idiot, I came in with my original plan, realized I was hot and downslope, dragged my feet, let go of the dtubes when I realized there was absolutely no way I could effect a flare, and bellied in. A bit of corn-stubble rash and a bruise or two were the result, but luckily no real damage to self or glider.
And I'm completely pissed-off for not doing the obviously right thing : Late in the day, no wind on the ground, I'm doubtful that the terrain is as I had assumed.... So why in the world didn't I just set up **away** from the road and land in the up-slope direction, toward the mountain????
DUH!!!!
Sheesh, major wake-up call, fly the actual conditions, not some preconceived notion of what a field is like. Geez!
Great lesson, at very little cost, happy to say.
The grass was armpit-high near the road, and I assume it is the same in the upper/primary LZ. Maybe the upper will be hay'ed by next weekend... But if not, landing in the lower/primary might be ok, provided the crop allows and if people are very careful walking their wings off the field. A landing across the road, and towards the mountain, would be fine if the winds are light. And there's the golf course a bit further down the road, and a couple of LZs prior to that. There ARE options, but conditions should be evaluated carefully by HG pilots if it's not a soarable day.
MarkC
When I flew a couple weeks ago, Dan Tm and I talked about the LZ conditions, and I knew that I would probably have to call an audible. I had a very hazy recollection of the LZ that lies just across the road from the primary (never actually landed in it), and figured that's where I would go if things were iffy.
After a very nice flight, I flew out into the valley with plenty of altitude to scope out what was going on. The main had been recently planted, and the seedlings were *just* poking up their heads. So I scratched the field because of the likelihood of crop damage (lots easier to avoid damage once the plants are a bit more mature).
Then I flew over the upper LZ, at least 500' above. "Hmmm.... I didn't realize that there was a little creek bed on that end of the LZ... Oh! Not a creek bed. That's where the deer have been hanging out to stay cool. OH!!! That grass has gotta be DAMN TALL!"
So then I headed across the street, and made a couple of passes. "Hmmm.... I __think__ I see a bit of a downslope, and then an upslope, before the planted section (trying to convince myself that things were as I imagined them to be).
Well... No.
Road. Then very tall grass. Then an unplanted section with a brief upslope. Then a slight downslope toward the planted section. Like a complete idiot, I came in with my original plan, realized I was hot and downslope, dragged my feet, let go of the dtubes when I realized there was absolutely no way I could effect a flare, and bellied in. A bit of corn-stubble rash and a bruise or two were the result, but luckily no real damage to self or glider.
And I'm completely pissed-off for not doing the obviously right thing : Late in the day, no wind on the ground, I'm doubtful that the terrain is as I had assumed.... So why in the world didn't I just set up **away** from the road and land in the up-slope direction, toward the mountain????
DUH!!!!
Sheesh, major wake-up call, fly the actual conditions, not some preconceived notion of what a field is like. Geez!
Great lesson, at very little cost, happy to say.
The grass was armpit-high near the road, and I assume it is the same in the upper/primary LZ. Maybe the upper will be hay'ed by next weekend... But if not, landing in the lower/primary might be ok, provided the crop allows and if people are very careful walking their wings off the field. A landing across the road, and towards the mountain, would be fine if the winds are light. And there's the golf course a bit further down the road, and a couple of LZs prior to that. There ARE options, but conditions should be evaluated carefully by HG pilots if it's not a soarable day.
MarkC
-
Ward Odenwald
- Posts: 987
- Joined: Mon Mar 16, 2009 7:51 pm
Re: Pulpit Fly-In-- LZ Conditions
LZ conditions? Arrive early and see for yourself - walk the field. Relying on what one pilot experienced last week, two weeks ago . . . is not what you are going to land in.
Ward
Ward
Re: Pulpit Fly-In-- LZ Conditions
Well, if the field had been hayed last weekend then I'd have an answer now wouldn't I... and I could pass that info onto the Hang 2s and the visiting pilots. It's not always just about me.
Matthew
Matthew
Re: Pulpit Fly-In-- LZ Conditions
Totally agree Ward.
The purpose of my post was to point out that making assumptions about a given LZ's terrain can get you into trouble. Even a 'friendly'/nearby LZ should be treated like an XC LZ if you haven't landed in it before. Even if you've 'eyeballed' it on many an occasion, during your normal approach and landing.
It's not my intent (HARDLY!) to imply that pilots won't be able to fly and land safely this weekend. I mean come on, I''ve *run* the damn fly-in at least five times....
MarkC
The purpose of my post was to point out that making assumptions about a given LZ's terrain can get you into trouble. Even a 'friendly'/nearby LZ should be treated like an XC LZ if you haven't landed in it before. Even if you've 'eyeballed' it on many an occasion, during your normal approach and landing.
It's not my intent (HARDLY!) to imply that pilots won't be able to fly and land safely this weekend. I mean come on, I''ve *run* the damn fly-in at least five times....
MarkC
Re: Pulpit Fly-In-- LZ Conditions
And I suppose I should have posted any write-up about my landing adventures in a separate topic. Won't make that mistake again.
MarkC
MarkC