Weekend Outlook

[Matthew]

Soooo... looks like rain and NW winds Saturday-- and COLD and WINDY on Sunday.

So is there any hope of something other than freezing and flying backwards at Woodstock on Sunday?

Matthew

[FlyingFelix]

I don't know what's up with the crazy weather...but I would love to go flying on Saturday. Perhaps the rain element would like to go away? Looks like only small chances of rain as of now...
I'll be hoping.

[mingram]

I'm hoping to go kiting at Smithsburg on Sunday - arriving early before it ramps up.

[Matthew]

Hmmmm.. Saturday is staring to look better. Maybe Woodstock if they don't change the forecast again (which they always do...)

Matthew

[silverwings]

At this point Saturday is looking flyable at Woodstock. Lets see what develops.

[krryerson]

Yes,
Saturday is staring to look better for Woodstock and I will be there if the forecast don't change to much.
Knut
(c) 703- nine- six - seven- 82- seven- seven

[rlweber]

I must be eager to fly if I am posting on Thursday about Saturday..........I plan to be there if the forecast holds or gets better. May arrive early to get a pg flight in before it picks ups. Then fly my hg later. We will see. My eagerness may be related to the drop in temperature that appears to be coming and my missing out last weekend due to work.

Randy

[kcarra]

Ack! And the forecast changes again for Woodstock!

SATURDAY
MOSTLY SUNNY AND BREEZY. HIGHS IN THE MID 40S. NORTHWEST
WINDS 10 TO 15 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 25 MPH...INCREASING TO 20 TO
25 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 40 MPH IN THE AFTERNOON.

I'll keep watching and hoping.


Matthew

[Danny Brotto]

Saturday at Smithsburg looks like a fun time although might be blown out for PG especially later in the day.

Might take the Falcon out to Smithsburg or might just fly sailplanes.

Sunday is looking to be insane; proceed with care.

Danny Brotto

[silverwings]

NoStepper is still showing a window of opportunity for flying at Woodstock on Saturday from late morning though mid afternoon. Will see how it looks on Saturday morning.

[mingram]

Ever winter I start thinking about flying sailplanes. Danny how cold do they get? I assume you still have to wear gloves and warm clothes, but at least you're protected from the wind.

[FlyingFelix]

Looking pretty good for tomorrow as of now.
Unless something drastic will happen I'll be there. Shooting for 11:30'ish.

[markc]

Ack! In San Diego, rainy for the last three days, and missing out on a WS day to boot... Sure hope that the window materializes, and you have some fun up there!

MarkC

[FlyingFelix]

Should be good today, even if not for SS gliders...
ETA 11 am

[kcarra]

Updated Forecast for Woodstock--


TODAY
PARTLY SUNNY. HIGHS IN THE MID 40S. NORTHWEST WINDS 15 TO
20 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 30 MPH.

This is almost the same forecast as last time I went out-- except that was a decreasing forecast-- and this is an increasing forecast-- gusts to 40 tonight.

Last time it was flyable-- but it was on the edge-- any little increase would have made things unsafe. But again, it was a decreasing forecast and things started to mellow out. I elected not to fly at the end of the day because it would have just been a 40 minute flight and crew was needed to help launch.... and chase the cows out of the LZ. So with this increasing forecast -- I'm bailing.

Matthew

[mingram]

I'm thinking about Long Hill in Luray. I just got permission from the owner.

[krryerson]

It might be okay today at Woodstock. Probably okay; but, I'm bailing too, based on the increasing forecast. Have fun!
Knut

[FlyingFelix]

By now pretty much all weather sites (including Dr. Jacks) show a decrease in forecasts compared to earlier.
I'm optimistic about today but if no one else is going I wont either.
Anyone still up for it?

[silverwings]

Knut and I are going to give it a try. ETA Lz about 11:30. I think it will be doable late morning until mid afternoon and if you don't let yourself get real high.

[mingram]

Headed to Long Hill with 4 others. Eta 11:30

https://maps.google.com/maps?q=38.58980 ... =UTF8&z=15

[mingram]

Alex soaring Long Hill!

[krryerson]

A fun day at Woodstock.
I launched last at ~2.00PM and managed to pull of a safe launch. Did fly for 47 min and topped out around 2300 feet.
Landed in the bridge field. Thanks John M. and Felix for convincing me to go and I am sure more pilot's will post more later.
Knut

[Lucky_Chevy]

It was awesome today and my first flight at Woodstock. Winds were more or less straight in and it was cold. I managed 1-1/2 hours before landing at the bridge field which I might add was a lot more rowdy than I expected.

A good time flying with friends new and old.


Dan

[silverwings]

Instead of meeting at the regular LZ we met at the Bridge Field which had been cleared. While getting ready to head up a PG pilot who had gone up earlier with Randy landed. Knut had heard from Felix who was at top that the winds were fairly light. When we got up to launch around 12:00, Randy was soaring his hg and Felix was still setting up. Winds were mostly 3 - 8 mph and only occasionally stronger. Rich Elder and a pilot from Ridgely (Dan ?) had met us at the Bridge Field and arrived up top just after us. We all set up and Felix launched getting good lift coming out of the slot. The rest of us got going shortly there after usually launching in fairly light (5 mph) cycles with no problems. I hung out above launch area until Knut (who was last) self launched. Flew down close to the gap staying out front and getting lift all the way down and when I started to head back toward launch Felix passed heading south. As I got back toward the bridge field it got a bit windier with slow penetration heading out. Fairly turbulent coming into land but had a nice landing getting 1:10 flight time. Definitely windier on the ground after we landed. Also, while flying out I noticed another hg car with glider going up which was Andy and when starting to break down he was soaring. Definitely worth going today and I think the best conditions were earlier when Randy was flying.

[FlyingFelix]

Woodstock was spectacular today.
I'll post more and some pics (perhaps even video) tomorrow.
Awesome day, glad I went.

Alex soaring Long Hill!

That's nice! Where's this hill at again? Is it open to HG?