Pulpit Weekend 1/5 - 1/6

[andybalkphysics]

Felix,

I could meet you there around 10:30AM, I also need to sign the wavier and walk the field.

-Andy

[dbodner]

Looks like Jesse and I will show up by 10

[FlyingFelix]

Sounds like a party!

[Dunegoon]

I am in also. ETA 10 am.

Charley F.

[mcgowantk]

See you all there in the am.

Tom McGowan

[Matthew]

Reconsidering the rock -- forecasts now call for gusts to 30.

Any thoughts?

Matthew

[deveil]

well I know I'm interested to know if HR is going to happen…

I may well hold off unless there is an affirmative

[deveil]

cell 571 217 9125

[dbodner]

I'm out; car won't start. Jesse's going on his own.

[Matthew]

OK. We're still on for the Rock.

Matthew

[deveil]

Dave,
wanna a ride? we can probably strap your wing on to my car in a sufficient manner… gary

[Danny Brotto]

At Fairfield right now (8:15 am) setting up the sailplane. It's a bit windy, steady 20 with gusts to upper 20's. Should settle down a bit as the day goes on; hopefully before it goes south. Good luck at HR.

Danny Brotto

[krryerson]

Hi,
I will be heading up to High Rock now 9:30AM and can be your wire crew, if needed. I don't have a HG yet, but will be able to drive you guys; again, if needed.
Just coming up to check out the place. More, John at Silverwings and Walt knows me.
Knut Robert Ryerson, c 703-967-8277
Falls Church, VA
Hang 2 (Nov 2012); but, have been flying for more then 14 years in Norway and had a H5 and P2.
Did take a break for more then 10 years, but are now finally back... .

[krryerson]

Whoo, I see you guys are there already. But will still go.Knut

[jyoder111]

So, while there's not a flake of snow here in DC, apparently PA is covered. Who knew?

Got there around 10am to find it blowing in strong. Twenty minutes later it died to a trickle. A bunch of pilots showed and took brief soaring flights, extendos, and sleds in the meager conditions. Never did really go south. A couple of us were able to get briefly above launch over some hot spots but it wasn't consistent enough to get established on the ridge.

Congrats to Walt for continuing to expand his H2 mountain experiences with a great attitude! Nice to see everyone. Big thanks to Gary for the launch help and retrieve.

I flew twice for about 15min airtime. Nice day to be outside. Anyone go to the Pulpit?

Jesse

[Dunegoon]

Delightful day at High Rock. Andy, Mark, Jesse, Felix, Walt, Matthew, Karen, Tom, Knut and myself. Excuse me if I forgot anyone else. Tom had a nice 20+ min flight. It was treat to watch Tom work the light lift in front of launch and climb out. Walt had his first 2 HR launches. It was so close to turning on and being great. I got a nice 11 minute flight and worked a small thermal to about 200 over launch only to lose when I expected it to pump. From there it was a smooth ride out to the LZ. Just as fun as it gets for winter flying.

Everyone visited Emma Jane at some time during the day and she was very pleased with the recent interview

Tom also videoed most of the approaches and landing, hope he gets to post them.

[Danny Brotto]

Flew the sailplane. Launched at about 10:10 am; cold abd breezy from the NW. Expected to take a tow into the wave releasing at about 5.5KMSL but approaching the release mark, entered the downwash of the wave. Hung on for another 5oo ft and released into smooth, weak, localized wave. Moved a couple of wave bars up to Waynesboro hoping to fly over to HR but the lift was weak and there was sink about. Topped out at 7K MSL. Instruments showed 25 knots out of the WNW. After 90 minutes or so, fell out of the wave and was really surprised the wind below was non existent (3 knots out of the west.) There was noticeable shear turbulence between the air still blowing crisply above about 3K MSL and the stuff below. Thermaled between 1.5K MSL and 2.5K MSL near Ski Liberty watching the “ants on a birthday cake” below. Uneventful landing after about 3 hours. Temperature in the wave was about 3C but below it was -3C! How’s that for an inversion?

Danny Brotto

[markc]

Charlie F, your harness etc are in the back of my SUV. PM me so we can coordi nate to get your gear back to you....

[FlyingFelix]

I'm glad I finally got to fly (slide down twice from) High Rock. First time there and first time flying with snow on the ground - very cool.
Thank you everyone for the help, what a treat seeing so many pilots out!

[Matthew]

Fun day at the Rock-- though lift was light. Got 250 over the rock pile and a whopping 14 minutes. It was unexpectedly beautiful with snow cover fields stretching out to the horizon.

We also expected it to be frickin' cold. It was not... actually quite pleasant at launch and like the beach in the LZ with all of the sun reflecting off the snow.

Heard the PG crowd had sledders at the Pulpit.

Matthew

[krryerson]

Though, I did not fly at High Rock today, it was interesting seeing the launch and the landing zone. It was fun talking to you guys and learning from Gary, how you handle the launch at the rock and more. Thanks again!
You guys seems to be a good bunch of great pilots. Hopefully I'll have my own HG next time.
In closing, I took some few pictures and filmed Walt on his first launch. Enjoy at link:
https://picasaweb.google.com/krryerson/ ... directlink
Knut

[mcgowantk]

I did take videos of a number of landings. If you didn't get an email with your landing, let me know. I just sent them out. It would be helpful if you could tell me the colors of your glider and/or who flew before or after you. Unfortunately, I did not get everyone's landing.

Contact me directly with your email address.

Thanks

Tom
mcgowantk@yahoo.com

[Matthew]

Thanks for the video Tom-- see link below.

http://youtu.be/XBdpV_kPOyQ

Matthew

[markc]

A big THANK YOU to Gary and Knut, both of whom came out to help with launches even though they weren't flying themselves. Much appreciated guys!

[mcgowantk]

Holy Cow! Mark you are right- we forgot to thank Gary and Knut!

A huge thanks to Gary and Knut for helping out. We greatly appreciate your help. I hope you both enjoyed the wonderful day and warm sun.

Take care

Tom McGowan