Improving The Woodstock Launch

[deveil]

okay, if you want to talk minimalist here’s something i’d thought of but didn’t bring up because i’ve not looked at the sight to determine its feasibility and because, well, because it’s harder in its own way.

that cobbled stone area that i’d mentioned? continue that on down. it’d require digging out dirt where necessary, prying up some rocks possibly, laying a bit of a foundation in places and scavenging and hand carrying stones and rocks from the surrounding area. by it’s construction it would have a good chance of lasting a while - see aforementioned cobbled stone area.
i’d be glad to lay the stone if there were enough help digging, prying and carrying.

it might seem that i’m all over the map with the various things i’ve said, but i’m not flying the site, i’m just trying to help think things through from a practical perspective.

and if i rescind this proposal, it’s because of the wine last night impinging on my brain this morning.

[deveil]

to ease the scavenging and carrying? use a piece(s) of plywood as sledges, amended as necessary, to skid the rocks down from above. some of you may recall that a variation of this method of transport worked pretty effectively when we did a repair of the HR lz road some years ago.
the more the labor can be eased or minimized the more practical this idea becomes.

[deveil]

as a matter of fact, if that same or a crew similar to that HR road work crew could be assembled, they were a good bunch of workers, it would probably be no more work, in total, than took place that day.

"Please substantiate your thoughts" is what i think Matt had requested/suggested.

[XCanytime]

All this directed energy could be applied to another pressing issue: the High Rock launch. Now that Dan Tuckwiller is back in town and working for the same company he was working for before he left (which is a plus for material acquired cheaply), why not a restart of that effort and its fruition? Bacil

[deveil]

oh sure, go for trump.
do nothing.
that doesn’t take much effort.
maybe thought and consideration, but no effort.

[deveil]

[dbodner]

I fully accede to Rich's better judgement.

[RichH]

Just a quick update ..had a discussion with Matt on the construction phase of this project today..Matt had some great input on how to prevent the erosion issue..feel we have a very good plan to move forward on to the construction phase..to many details to discuss now but next step is to put together a cost summary for this project for chgpa leadership to review and then sign off on..I will contact Cameron next week and if his supervisor had no questions hopefully we can get some proposed dates to schedule this project..Rich

[deveil]

i would make this observation: it’s doubtful that anything more than what the current plan is will be attempted. i think there is some, but of course not nearly a complete idea of what is in the works.

Rich, Gary and Matt have already put in a good bit of time and effort and will be putting in a good bit more, most assuredly.

certainly the plans aren’t totally fleshed out and the picture is still a bit vague. but i’d suggest that, in order to be fair to and respectful of them, people who have a significantly different and particularly a less-is-better view toward things should start thinking about making their voices heard and at least ask questions. ‘just saying.

[mcelrah]

Wow! You guys rock!

As has been stated, widening the top of the slot "for the paragliders" will also help the hang-gliders. (A previous idea for site improvement was motivated in part by the desire for better clearance for a wider rigid-wing HG. Having once been elevatored up with my flex-wing's wingtip *between* the trees on the side, I'd say more clearance would be good for everybody.) The other consideration for PGs is grooming the area where they lay out their wings to cover the line-eating rocks.

Wish I could be there to help! - Hugh

[brianvh]

Just a purely intuitive feeling: I think the negotiations with the forest service may be successful if you cautiously (and they need to see you are being cautious) suggest removing 'one line of trees' on each side and the bottom. More than that I feel they'd balk. But it's something.

Nothing to back this up, just imagining myself in their position.

Brian VH.

[RichH]

I can appreciate and applaud all the input on the launch we are receiving..To clear up any misunderstanding what so ever though..Here is what I proposed, was to improve the existing runway by building up the runway surface so we can have a nice long unimpeded launch (4-6' wide 12-14' long). the proposal also includes taking out 6-8 of the largest perimeter trees at the base and the left side of launch. To do anymore than that will certainly go beyond the scope of the local district rangers office.. lets do what we can do now to improve the runway ..and take out the highest trees that are currently presenting themselves as obstacles to clean airflow. I certainly did not make this proposal to purposely exclude anyone. It simply was in my judgement the most prudent step to take with out getting involved in a more bureaucratic process. After we have completed the proposed improvements then we can look at opening the doors to further discussions with the Forest Service.

[RichH]

I can appreciate and applaud all the input on the launch we are receiving..To clear up any misunderstanding what so ever though..Here is what I proposed, was to improve the existing runway by building up the runway surface so we can have a nice long unimpeded launch (4-6' wide 12-14' long). the proposal also includes taking out 6-8 of the largest perimeter trees at the base and the left side of launch. To do anymore than that will certainly go beyond the scope of the local district rangers office.. lets do what we can do now to improve the runway ..and take out the highest trees that are currently presenting themselves as obstacles to clean airflow. I certainly did not make this proposal to purposely exclude anyone. It simply was in my judgement the most prudent step to take with out getting involved in a more bureaucratic process. After we have completed the proposed improvements then we can look at opening the doors to further discussions with the Forest Service.

[RichH]

Sorry I hit the submit button twice..

[sailin]

RIch I appreciate your clarification on things AND all the time and effort you have put in to this operation. I certainly think it will benefit all.

Thank you.


Jon

[RichH]

Just a quick update: I contacted Cameron from the Forest Service yesterday. He mentioned he needed more time to run our proposal up the flagpole, hopefully we will have an answer back from him some time next week and then we can begin this project in earnest.