ECC

[John Dullahan]

As usual at the ECC, our local pilots enjoyed the flying conditions, learning experience, and seeing old friends from previous ECCs. Soaring-meister and self-effacing Paris Williams, PhD and author of recently-published "Rethinking Madness," dominated the open class, with our own Larry Bunner in second place, and Mitch Shipley third. Other local pilots in the open class were John Simon, Jim Messina, Dave Proctor, and Charlie Allen, who is running the "Highland Challenge" summer-long event. Patrick McGuinness took the Sport Class, with Brian Boudreau of Novia Scotia second, and our own Matt (lostgriz) Christiensen taking third place. On the final day, Carlos reached goal and won the day. Unfortunately, switchey winds at goal cost him a dislocated shoulder and a broken keel. Joe Gregor, despite missing a few days, had a very-respectable showing on a Sport 2, while yours truly had my usual mediocre effort. About six pilots, including two open class entrants, took advantage of Mitch Shipley's landing clinic in which he uses a battery-powered winch to tow up to about 150 ft, allowing short downwind, base, and final approaches. Entire flight sequences are filmed, and later reviewed and critiqued. Finally, Mitch gives each pilot a record of his/her flights on the towing winch. This was an opportunity for us to practice multiple set-ups and landings, and all of us found the clinic stress-free, enjoyable, and very educational. Due to the initial low number of entrants, the 2012 ECC was close to being cancelled until last-minute appeals brought forth the required number of entrants and allowed Sunny and Adam to at least break even on the event. Paul Vernon's accident, as Matt described earlier, brought our the local press, and reporters interviewed some pilots and filmed some of the take-offs, weak-link breaks, and relights. From what I heard today, Paul continues to improve. The ECC allows local pilots to fly with top-class competitors while investing a lot less time, effort, and expense to travel to distant venues normally required to enjoy a similar experience. We should do what we can to support the continuation of this competition and valuable learning experience in our own back yard.

[lbunner]

Excellent write up John! I had a lot of fun flying in some pretty outstanding conditions for the Delmarva. Most days had climb rates in the 700-800fpm range and the 52 mile triangle day had many happy pilots with personal bests in excess of 1000fpm. I personally challenge the club to come and fly with us next year. Sunny would like to see 40 pilots join in the fun. There are a number of ideas to increase the participation which should be coming out later this year. For one, I hope the landing clinic will be advertised and continued next year. Mitch did a super job with 10 or so pilots learning a bunch in the clinic. If you have any suggestions on how we can increase participation next year, please comment here on the forum. I am sure the Highland guys would be glad to take your input and act on it.

[markc]

Surely wish I could rise to that challenge and support the ECC more.... But my deal is that early June is a major crunchtime at work, every darn year. Managed to participate a few years back, but no luck since. And that sucks, for all the reasons you point out; I highly recommend the event, and it's a great way to learn a lot in a short time.

MarkC

[XCanytime]

Sorry to hear about your shoulder Carlos. Hope your yanked wing heals quickly and you are back flying soon. Bacil

[Lostgriz]

Nice write-up John. I was a last minute entrant into this event and I am sure glad that I did. I can't say enough about what a great time this comp was. Great flying and great people made for a fantastic week with new friends who were eager to help us newbs along. I will be posting a write-up of my experience on my blog, but John did a great job of summing things up..... Good Times!

Matt

[markc]

Just got a text from Carlos; I had hoped that it wasn't *our* Carlos that John was referring to... But it was! Well damn!

Carlos, I really hope that you aren't too down about the landing and injury, and that you heal quickly. Congrats on making goal (and winning the day, wow!!!), both are more than I've ever done.

MarkC

[Dan T]

I know this will be taken by some as heresy and I might risk losing my biwingal head over making such a suggestion but here it is; ADD Paragliders.

A truck or motorcycle (heavy scooter) tow could pull them up with a two person crew. Since they fly and launch in lighter winds than the HGs they could be launched earlier than the beginning of the start times for the HGs.

There are at least two pilot/instructors in the area who can provide advice on how to set up and operate a truck/scooter tow operation. I know of a 750 cc honda that could be purchased for less than $1,000 so the power source wouldn't necessarily be a major expense driver.

I'm polling the local PG community to see how much interest they might have. I have a hunch a lot of us, myself included, would come out during the summer months to fly XC when conditions aren't usually suitable at our mountain sites.

Dan T

[Lostgriz]

The last day we were all charging hard for goal. I though I had the day won until I found out Carlos had already made it to goal, Nice flying Carlos! I look forward to flying with you as soon as your shoulder is feeling better.

Matt

[Dave Proctor]

This was the best ECC ever. We flew 6 out of 7 days, with one task of a 52 mile triangle that was completed by all open pilots except for Davis on the Falcon. I saw lift of 1100 fpm on the averager on that day. This is the place to improve your XC flying skills. There are some pilots that I only see at the ECC, and these are some of the nicest people you will ever meet in the sport. If you don't come, you are really missing out. A big thanks to Sunny and Adam and the entire Highland crew for putting on such a stellar event, year after year. And a special thank you to Bill for bringing one of his tugs up from Campbell field.

DaveP

PS: Thank you Sue Bunner for the awesome retrieves

[carweill]

Flying is what introduced me to the community. This is a great community of odd thinking people. I thank for all the help retrieving the glider, most especially to Cindy for hanging on until I got repaired.
A good thought for our friend in his recovery.

Carlos

[CraginS]

Carlos,
Truly sorry to hear about the damage and pain. Bummer about the keel; really sorry about the shoulder.
Heal quickly, and feel betterer sooner.