With the strong forecast on Saturday, I gave up on my dream of a soaring flight measured in hours at Woodstock and headed to Smithsburg for some practice ground handling in strong wind. I thought here's that blowin' like stink, winter's day, 'burg experience that Bacil talks about.
When I arrived, Karen was already set up. She got in her planned two flights on her hot new Sport 2, Kevin Carter edition
Joe Brauch came out of his winter hibernation and flew 4 times on his Ultra Sport.
Shawn tried to work the turn out of his Dream, but I don't think he had much success.
The wind abated a bit, fantasies of a late afternoon High Rock excursion were formed and the bi-wingual guys -- Sparky, Hugh, Steve and Matthew -- broke out their gear. Man, I wish I could rig my wing in 3 minutes! Everything looked great until Richard took the student gliders off his truck: we were doomed. The wind picked up again and got even stronger than before. Matthew got muddy, Steve and Joe stymied. One of the nice Zagi warriors was showing steady 20 with gusts over 30 on his Hall meter. Not exactly a PG day.
The launch and landing practice was good for me, but I think I enjoyed working on crabbing flight the most. I made a game of trying to fly along a straight line near the top of the hill. Got really high on one.
8 flights for me. In the last 6 or so weeks I?ve gone to the training hill 4 times (around 25 flights). Now that I?ve got Lauren?s job, I?m picking up her damn habits!
Eddie Miller soared and Zaggied itermittently.
I really do think flying training hills is fun, but I?d LOVE to get in some more high flight time this week. I?m going out of town this weekend, so I?m up for mid-week Wednesday or Thursday. Please let me know if anybody heads out!
Happy Valentine?s Day!
~Daniel
Saturday at Smithsburg Report
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