Sunday Dec 18 at Woodstock

[Bob Peterman]

Bob Peterman: H-2. It was good to get a Mt Flight in today after following John Middleton's classes to Taylor Farm the last few months. The training hill work paid off. Good launch and landing - observed by Ward Odenwald. I was first to fly and didn't find much lift so only flew for 15-20 minutes. Everyone else got to soar for an hour-plus. I should have been more patient as conditions improved about 12:00, but overall a great day. Bob

[Joe Schad]

It was another steller Woodstock day. I got there late it seems at noon. Everyone was setup and ready to launch when I arrived. I launched after after everyone else had launched. Good lift and lots of it out front. I tried to do my Strasburg run in my Falcon. Didn't make it to the high School soccor field. Had to put it down about a quarter mile short of the middle school. I think I saw Mark pass me as he headed to Signal Knob. I lost him after that. Got an hour with a nice landing. Life is good.

Hope eveyone else did well.

Joe

[mcelrah]

Congratulations, Bob! Hi, Joe! - Hugh
P.S. Sacrificed sleep and liver for the sake of international goodwill and understanding: stayed up till 3 AM drinking with the entire corps of Philippines paraglider pilots - all 9 of us, including a visiting Turkish tandem pilot and instructor, an experienced Austrian Alps/Himalayas pilot, a Kiwi and a Taiwanese pilot - two females in the group. They are stoked that I am bringing a HANG-GLIDER - many have never seen one fly. Most locals took their training in Bali, Indonesia, where the trade-winds blow like an electric fan at precisely correct velocity and direction into a 45 km coastal cliff. Local conditions are more challenging with jungle-y volcanic terrain and sparse vehicular access. (But there is a "skypark" on a nearby island where porters will cary your gear to the 1000-foot launch.) They are quite active in scouting and pioneering new sites. The Austrian and the alpha-dog local had a totally committing flight off Mt. Pinatubo, the volcano that trashed Clark AFB and led the U.S. to abandon all bases in 1992 - if they had landed out, it would have meant a couple days' hard hiking out over rough lava. Much complaining that La Nina/global climate change has delayed "dry season"/east wind flying season. Tropical storm killed hundreds in south (Mindanao). Apparently there is a sweet groomed launch/top landing at General Matos near Davao, but the whole of Mindanao is off-limits to embassy community except for work travel due to kidnapping threat. They also have a truck tow with a payout winch...

[DanTuck]

Great day today. I got there later than planned but it didn't matter. The good cycles were just starting around noon. I launched into 8 or 10 mph (thanks Randy) and hooked a great 5-600 fpm thermal to the right of launch. It linked up with the wave which I rode at 1,100 fpm to cloudbase at 5,200 msl. Felt the wispies for a second and then dove it down to slightly warmer air. Cruised around wherever I wanted to go in widespread lift until I was cold, then had a nice no stepper into 5 in the field. It was a really pretty sky to fly in capped off with a good beer with Mark at the Woodstock Cafe. Nice way to fill yer tank before the work week.

[mercury]

Thank you Ward for observing me Daisuke and Bob we all had safe fun flights. Was my second soaring flight! Thanks again.

[dskHG]

I'd like to thank all who showed up Sunday and the club members who look after such an awesome site.
Ward, thank you thank you thank you for spending your Sunday to mentor us new pilots.

I've come out with a personal record flight and a reminder that sometimes we aren't much more than a leaf in the sky.

Daisuke

Photos from Sunday below:
https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B4Pzs3 ... U3ZjMyYmU0
https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B4Pzs3 ... JkNTYxNDE0

[markc]

Though it's a bit after the fact, I have to chime in about last Sunday. What a frickin' great day, for late December! Sustained lift of 600+ on the averager, crazy-strong instantaneous lift of 1300 fpm, wave conditions, wire-slaps, un-commanded turns.... What the heck, is it spring????

I didn't top out as high as Dan, only 2300' above launch. But I did get to fly in the "snirga", very cool and sparkly as the flakes rushed past!

Got my @ss handed to my at one point when I punched out into the valley, just to the south of the LZ. Punched out, usual/moderate altitude losses, but then.... WHAM! Lost about 1000' in 20 seconds or less (leeside of wave, had to be). Ran back to the ridge with my tail feathers between my legs and about 250', and then headed north, figuring that I might be able to connect with more reliable wave conditions near the reservoir.

But that didn't come to pass, and honestly, it was more of a gettin'-beat-up type of flight up there (probably would have been a more enjoyable flight if I'd stayed near launch). Watched Joe S land out, not too far from his place, then tagged Signal Knob and headed back south. By that time I was just cold, sore, and tired, blasting through lift and not even trying to get high.

(Yeah, I know, whine-whine-whine )

Back at launch I made a token effort on a couple of light thermals, then headed into the valley past the LZ, and lazily bled off altitude by ziggin' and zaggin' around. Had a decent approach, but wow.... The legs just weren't all that happy about having to run out a few steps. Two hours in those temps really adds up, even with the layers, hand-warmers, etc.

But all in all, a VERY fun and worthwhile flight, and probably my last for 2011. And it couldn't get much better for this time of year.

Congrats to all of the Hang-IIs who got to fly, way to go Matt, Daisuke, and Bob! Haven't heard how the PGers did, but they seemed to be having fun later in the day, as the sun was setting.

MarkC

PS: Woodstock Cafe closes at 5pm on Sunday (not sure about Sat), so its apres-flying capability is limited. But that said, and especially in winter, they have a decent craft-brew selection, good wines, Wi-Fi, breakfast, sandwiches, coffee, and local musicians (though I haven't yet been there when anyone has performed). Well worth a stop if you have a bit of extra time.

[dskHG]

Anyone found three extra ribs on Dec 18 at woodstock LZ?

Thanks!