Bill's Hill Weekend

[Matthew]

It's looking like Bill's all weekend.

Bring weed whackers and machetes!!!!

Matthew

[Dan T]

Bills Hill would be a nice change of pace. I'm ready for it.

Dan

[Matthew]

Saturday or Sunday????

Saturday is sunnier-- but the direction looks better for Sunday.

Any thoughts???

Matthew

[Matthew]

PGers are heading to Bill's this weekend. I'm now leaning towards Sunday-- better wind direction and forecast is now calling for mostly sunny.

Matthew

[Dan T]

Sunday looks like the better call.

Dan

[aRnim]

Hello, I got an Austrian PG2 license in September and I am eager to get into the air and to meet some more pilots.
Bill's Hill might not be the best place to start but if you don't mind I would love to join this trip.
I am living in NOVA and could get there by myself - or in car pool.
any day would be good with me.
Cheers,
aRnim

[Dunegoon]

Interested in Sunday. Matthew, how much time should we allocate to trimming? From last visit it looked like some of the smaller Sumac trees should be trimmed or cut down.

Crosswind Charley

[Matthew]

I'll bring the gas powered weed whacker with the circular saw blade and my cordless weed whacker.

If everyone can put in about 30-40 minutes of work that would be great.

Matthew

[Dan T]

aRnim,

Bill's Hill has a very pilot friendly launch with a huge LZ. It is arguably the most P2 friendly site we have. It's only drawback is that it is a fairly long glide out to the LZ for a low performing PG. You can expect to reach it provided that you don't dally below launch if you don't get some lift.

I encourage you to go if you can. Get a site briefing from one of the locals. If the winds are not ideal don't give up too early. Bill's Hill often turns on very late in the day. I expect that will be the case both days this weekend.

Dan

[aRnim]

Dan,
thank you for this great news. for sure I gonna be there.

and I am also happy to out some time in for "gardening".
I can bring a small crosscut saw and a hatched.

When would I meet you guys? Sat? Sun? which time?

hope to see you soon,
aRnim

[markc]

If I can get enough of my chores around the house done today, I'll head to Bill's tomorrow and help with the cleanup.

[mingram]

At least 6 PGs are gonna give it a shot today.

[Matthew]

Going on Sunday. Both text and wind barb forecasts show East straight in.


Matthew

[Dunegoon]

Steady 5-8 STFI. Some better thermal cycles. Bails on the left side of the LZ. The PGs should be all over this. Where is everybody?

Charley

[silverwings]

The reason I and probably others did not go was that the forecast had changed to look more SE and light. Wishing I had gone from the last report.

[dbodner]

Staying inside and nursing a cold. Can't fly while I'm a mouth-breather.

[Dunegoon]

PG pilots had a pretty good day. Some flights over 1:45. A couple P2s had some nice flights. Matthew can elaborate more. Beautiful day to be out. As the only HG pilot, I waited until I thought the evening wonder started. I had to self launch into smooth air, but only got a 6 minute extendo.

The second and third wave of PGs launched and floated around like butterflies in the evening air. Two or more of them had nice top landings. After watching the PGs for a few hours today I found my self wondering about joining the soft side.

Charley F.

[Matthew]

Yes. We had a whole slew of PG pilots, including a bunch of P2s-- Josh, Marissio, Martin and Arnim.
Jim McClave went first and sledded Lazlo showed up shortly thereafter with Krista and launched into a repertoire of why it was gonna be a terrible day and how conditions sucked. Yadda-yadda-yadda. So he launched and got up. Josh followed and then me and then everyone else. I went south and got 2k over, mostly thermalling with Lazlo. Those that launched after me had a mixed bag of sleds, extendos and short soaring flights-- Dan, Karen, Krista and the P2s. A lot of pilots relaunched for second flights. Jim McClave flew three times! I flew back to launch a couple of times-- each time getting low as I went North-- only to return South to gas up on altitude. One time I came back below launch and scraped my way above the ridge just to the North. So I went South again and it started to die off-- so I landed out near the turn to the road that goes to the LZ. Got one hour and twenty minutes. Lazlo top landed. A couple of others sledded and it looked like the day was over at 4pm.

But then it turned back on and Jim got up in magic air for his third flight. Dan joined him, as did Lazlo, much to the consternation of Krista who was waiting for Lazlo to come and pick her up in the LZ. She caught a ride up with Charlie and she repaid Lazlo by taking one more flight at sunset.

Matthew

[Dan T]

Matthew summarized it pretty well. The lift was generally very light. My late afternoon varioless flight was typically only 100 over the trees or thereabouts. However it was so smooth and consistent that it made for very pleasant flight to the South end and back. I finally flew out to the LZ in zero sink the whole way. I had to work a little to get down just before sunset. I think it could have been soarable on a HG if you timed the launch cycle right.

Dan