Carlos very glad to see you walking around with a smile on your face after the launch. I will probably be heading down to see Steve Wendt at Blue Sky here in the very near future so if you need me to take your wing down for any work just let me know and I'd be happy to throw it on top of my truck and give it a ride.
Another good turn out of pilots at Woodstock. The wind velocity dramatically dropped off from the time I put my truck in park in the parking area to the time I was set up. I launched at noon. There were some fairly light cycles coming in that were mostly straight but with a bit of west in them. I had several nice climbs in thermals, getting to around 1200' over each time but no higher. After climbing and sinking and climbing and sinking on the ridge for a while, I saw some wispy's out in the valley, just to the southwest of the bridgefield....so I said "screw it, I'm going for it " I left the ridge with about 1000' over and went hunting for some valley thermal activity over by the wispys. I hit a couple small bumps not far away from the ridge but that was it. As I was gliding to the wispys I watched them dry up and disappear......whoops I found nothing but sink...and lots of it. I ended up turning back to the north and put down with a nice landing in the bridgefield.
Finished the day with a couple beers and a burger at the Strausburg Inn with Dan, Bacil and Ward. Big thanks to Bacil for helping with launches and retrieves.
First let me say that I am very glad that Carlos escaped unscathed yesterday. The glider parts are replaceable. As a launch assistant for every launch (save Dan Tuckwiller's) I have to say that the scary launches were the result of bad technique and the blown launch was a result of bad technique coupled with erroneous pitch control inputs for the situation. The bad techniques were the following three: (1) transitioning to the basetube too early after only a few steps, hence "jumping" into the glider, and having the nose pitch up a little, causing a glider to veer a little left of the runway centerline and mush towards a jutting rock on the left of the slot (2) starting the launch run with the wings unbalanced and inducing a slight turn in a glider to the right of the runway centerline and causing a glider to mush towards a jutting rock on the right of the slot (3) popping the nose and getting airborne with only two steps with little airspeed. Both (1) and (2) received pitch inputs to increase airspeed and hence manueverability and were able to fly out of the slot. (3) received pitch inputs to decrease airspeed, resulting in terrain following mushing flight. The right wingtip contacted the ground, most probably from the right wing stalling and dropping, resulting in the 180 degree whiparound onto the bank right next to the trail at the bottom of the slot. After verifying that Carlos was OK by asking him repeatedly over the course of several minutes if he was OK, he told me he was pushing out to try to clear the trees at the bottom of the slot. Therein lies the catch. In order to "porpoise" over the trees at the bottom of the slot, the glider has to have lots of excess airspeed to trade for the much needed altitude to clear the treeline at the bottom of the slot. Carlos began his flight with very little airspeed, and his inputs reduced the airspeed, so he was slowing down when he needed to be speeding up dramatically.
A few years back the same scenario occurred when I helped another pilot launch at Woodstock. It was early August 2008, late in the evening, with light conditions in the slot. The pilot had a good run, got airborne with good airspeed, and popped his nose with his transition to the basetube and kicking into the harness. The pilot continued to push out while I yelled at the top of my lungs to pull in. The pilot barely cleared the treeline at the bottom of the slot. After the pilot landed, he commented to me that he heard me yelling to pull in, but he pushed out because he wanted to clear the treeline at the bottom of the slot. In the dangerous part of the flight departing a sloping mountainside we need all the airspeed we can get and we need to get it as fast as we can in order to have manueverability to avoid objects and to have plenty of excess airspeed in the bank should we need to trade airspeed for altitude to avoid objects as well.
About the slot, the presence of those two rocks are fresh in the memory and could be removed due to their basetube catching potential should the glider veer off the centerline. Fundamentally I feel that launch technique is the bigger problem that needs to be addressed. Bacil
Carlos, glad you are OK. Get your glider repaired soon cuz 2012 is going to be a great year!
I have flown mountain sites all over the US and can say with certainty that the launches in this part of the land are the most demanding. Whether it is Woodstock, Raven Haven, 501 or the SAC, they all remove many options due to their narrow width and short runout before the trees. Bacil is right on that launch techniques need to be addressed to eliminate the human error portion. For this I recommend that we all spend some time on the training hills to get more proficient. Last year I paid for my first HG lesson ever (36+ years) to John M., to improve my launch technique. It was money well spent. Bacil and Dave P are right on that the Woodstock slot needs to be cleaned up to accommodate human error. I say this because we have more control over the condition of the slot than we do the techniques of the pilots that come from all over to fly our sites. I remember two years ago one of the locals was going to add gravel to the existing launch path at Woodstock but don't remember why it didn't come to fruition. We should revisit this initiative and make it happen over the winter if possible. It sounds like there are a few rock outcroppings that need to be evened out and perhaps some additional trees that need to be removed. Perhaps we should start another thread in this regard?
I launched second at ~11:30 and got an 1:40, maxing out at 1900 over. I was feeling pretty good about myself having survived one flush cycle, then Tom launched and climbed right up through me making me feel like the amateur that I am. It's fun having enough pilots around to work lift as a team: I realized more than once that the thermal I was in wasn't that weak, I was just in the weaker part of the thermal. By the time I landed, there was really no ridge lift and I even encountered a slight tailing wind in the LZ.
So sorry about your mishap, Carlos! I'm in favor of rolling some of the larger, protruding boulders down to the bottom of the slot: seems like a no-brainer safety improvement.
I've been trying to get rid of some bad launch habits myself. Once they form, they're really hard to break. Here I am transitioning to the basetube while still in my launch run:
This isn't a problem when I control the pitch and keep running until I have built up enough airspeed, which I don't always do.
Best,
Daniel
This wave cloud pattern had me pretty excited about the day, too bad these early morning conditions didn't hold:
Carlos. I am so glad that you are OK. I know you've been talking about buying a new glider. But there are better reasons to justify the cost
Re- Daniel's comment "Carlos! I'm in favor of rolling some of the larger, protruding boulders down to the bottom of the slot: seems like a no-brainer safety improvement."
I agree, just don't roll the boulders into my paraglider!!!
Initially the winds were too strong...about 10:00 - 10-30. About 11:30, 1/2 hour after Greg launched, they began to subside so I went with about 7 knots on the nose. Following Greg around I too found some lift north and heading into land after an hour, I experienced turbulence on downwind going into the pasture but then enough headwind on final for a 2-stepper. Wonder if the southerly component near the ground produced tree turbulence going into the pasture? This is my second Mt flight after several years away...but recently I have been to Taylor Farm with John's classes to work on "Takeoffs and Landings"...regardless of what you're flying...these will always be the critical phases of flight. Bacila and Ward both commended my takeoff - so I pass the thanks to John for continuing to coach and encourage me to get the basics right before moving up. Thanks to Bacil for the ride and Ward for observing.... and Carlos...get back in the saddle soon! Bob Peterman
Daniel, impressive photo of the wave clouds! Should be in a meteorology textbook.
Here are some additional thoughts about yesterday’s launches:
A good running takeoff starts first, and foremost, with the decision of whether or not to launch in light conditions and second, with the decision of when to initiate your run. Given the light variable conditions yesterday and the hard fact that at Woodstock you’ve got 3 possible 4 steps to get it right - the timing of when to initiate those few steps is very important to say the least. In light, variable and/or no wind, it’s almost impossible to sense lift differences between your wings until you’ve reached that second or third “no return” stride, and if you are starting the run with slack flying wires you are most likely over the rocks before the differences in lift trigger the “alarm bell”. In my case, not waiting for a stronger cycle and launching with only one quarter VG (slack flying wires) were the issues. The fundamental reason why I avoided the rocks and flanking tree line was air speed and the control that it affords. Once I sensed that I was veering to my right, I pulled the bar in and basically flew directly at that rather intimidating rock to the right of launch (red arrow in first photo) pushing out just enough to clear it and then immediately pulling in again to re-acquire the necessary airspeed to initiate a “smart” left-hand turn away from the rapidly approaching trees. Unfortunately, the only part of my takeoff that was caught on my tip cameras was a single image of just before I started my run (first photo). While starring at this image, I realized another potential problem that may have contributed to the initial asymmetry between wings and that was, the asymmetry in the airflow around my wings before the run. Even if the light wind coming up the slot was uniform, when it reached the glider its flow past the left wing and Joe was most likely different from the air flowing past the right wing and Bacil. In other words, the wire crew each present different, unique airflow/drag signatures. I know some of you are probably starting to chuckle over what appears to be a rather shameless attempt to finger others in this matter but think about it. If you have only 3-4 running steps to get it right, it makes sense to eliminate any airflow asymmetries around your wings before you start. So in the future, during light-wind takeoff conditions, I’m going to tighten up my side wires, wait until a thermal induced cycle produces at least a 10 mph air flow up the slot and then ask my wire crew to step away. Also posted is a view of Carlos just before his launch. Looks like the glider close behind him and anyone associated with it may have indirectly influenced the air passing Carlos’ glider. Think of it as an air dam and the streamers in the slot are not really indicating what your wings are experiencing. Ward
Sorry Ward, but I'm calling BS on the suggestion that someone standing behind your side-wires when you start your take-off run has anything to do with the ultimate success or failure of your launch. Blaming the wire-crew for a poor launch when conditions are strong is bad enough, but to suggest their mere presence under your wing when you start your run could make some difference is not logical and is almost border-line ludicrous considering the apparently light conditions of the day, IMHO.
JR, in the light of day, I have to agree with you. However, stacking the deck in your favor by ensuring that what little wind you are facing is not obstructed when it passes by can't hurt. I do believe that Carlos' situation was more significant. A close look at that photo indicates the the glider parked just feet behind him was resting on its keel and thus blocking or damming up a large amount of air just behind him. Air that would have otherwise continued its flow up the slot. Plus, I apologize if my last post came across as blaming the wire-crew as that was never my intent. Ward
Guys one of the biggest issues is the launch itself..Of course, most who launch there get away with it..but I have to agree with Larry that smoothing out the launch site ( the spot where u run) should be a top priority..When I went there this fall and saw the little room u have to get it right 3/maybe 4 steps in a fairly narrow slot with what I would call not very steep slope before you are over a mass of rocks allows for very little room for error..Seems to me a little effort to increase the run area and smooth it out could only help.. I would also consider using other sites for hang 2's until we improve the launch area..I'm sure a Hang 2 under the right circumstances can get it right there but it I would suggest we stack our cards a bit and have hang 2's go to smoother, steeper and more open launches to get their first Mtn launches..I respect both Ward and Jims thoughts both have valid points but really what would it take to dump some soil up there to build up a adequate running launch..Actually, the first launch ( 1mile to the north) was built up and had a much better ramp area for launching then the current site..Im sure u remember that one Ward!! it was narrow and shallow but at least we had good room to run..Just a thought!! Rich Hiegel
Ohh one other thought I would agree also with Bacil on launch techniques..There is a strong need for launch training..both for running slop launches and cliff launches..I think the past couple of years I've seen or heard of more blown launches in our area than I've seen in a while..When you see one of the best pilots in the US going back to training sites to get it right its a lesson to all of us..you are never to good to go to a training site and practice your launches.Matter of fact I would call it a necessity..RH
Ward, I wasn't suggesting you were actually blaming the wire-crew for your launching difficulties. I was merely expressing my skepticism for your theory that having someone standing beside you has any effect on the airflow over and/or under your wing once you begin your launch run.
Alright Rich and Ward!!!! Thanks for volunteering to improve the slot at Woodstock. You'll have to get a hold of the one of the rangers regarding any tree removals or other landscaping. Once you have everything organized, just contact the club offices to get approval for funding and to schedule a work party.
As a h2 that's soared woodstock these last three weekends launched well so hah close it to h3s pilots who haven't just trained there butt off I like to launch with a slightly lower pitch than I was taught that way I can start slowly and powerfully and really get the feel and control glider maintaining attack angle and really run run like it might shift to a tail wind a worse case example I run like the devils behind me cause I know heavens right in front of me
Well, I have to add my two cents. I think the Woodstock launch is fine and the slot is in excellent shape. Poor launches are almost always due to poor launch technique. Rather than try to make the slot something it is not (i.e., a steeper slope) pilots that have had weak launches should try to improve them. You can go back to a refresher with John Middleton or someone else, video your launch and do some self critique, or just go the training hill for some extra practice. Some years ago, Greg DeWolf took videos of launches and concluded that uniformly our club had poor launch technique - the most common problem was popping the nose either immediately when launching or when trying to lift off the ground. Normally, the push out was extreme enough to temporarily stall the glider. It was clear from his presentation that we need to focus on keeping control of pitch when running out a launch.
I did notice that the launch areas where would normally start our run was a little different than before, and that folks may haves been launching lower down the slot than earlier practice. Making sure we use the room we have is important.
If the club wants to put stone down to make running easier, that is fine with me. But in my view, it will not make a big difference in the number of blown launches there.
Your right Tom I'm sure most of this is due to poor technique..but I would also say making a longer smoother running area would be a big help..doesnt have to be stone..just fill in the holes and create a run pathway..Taking out a few trees at the bottom couldnt hurt...but probably isnt neccessary..Rich
Your right Tom I'm sure most of this is due to poor technique..but I would also say making a longer smoother running area would be a big help..doesnt have to be stone..just fill in the holes and create a run pathway..Taking out a few trees at the bottom couldnt hurt...but probably isnt neccessary..Rich
Only three more voting days left but it look like the runaway favorite for the 2011 Keepin' It Real Award is…
Oh wait…
It looks like the judges are already ready to declare!
And there is a tie ladies and gentlemen!
Yes indeed! There is a tie!
The award for Keepin' It Real in 2011 goes to…
Bacil ! and Tom !
let’s give them a really big hand ladies and gents!
I found nothing but sink...and lots of it. 
I ended up turning back to the north and put down with a nice landing in the bridgefield.
)!