Flying this weekend?

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batmanh3

Flying this weekend?

Post by batmanh3 »

I know its only Wednesday, but it looks like a SE trend for the weekend. I'm leaning towards Ridgely as I have to go out and pick up my new harness, but Bills Hill might be a good back-in-the-saddle mountain flight if the winds move around any further to the East. Anyone planning ahead for the weekend?

Chris
drice21037
Posts: 69
Joined: Thu Jan 06, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: Annapolis, MD

Flying this weekend?

Post by drice21037 »

I'm planning to go somewhere on Saturday. Currently, I think it will be
Ridgely due to the S or SE forecast and cloud cover to the west. But it's
early and things could change. Bill's would be great if it turns more east as
I'd like to get back to the mountains too but I'm not getting my hopes up.

Dave

Quoting batmanh3 <batmanh3@yahoo.com>:

>
> I know its only Wednesday, but it looks like a SE trend for the weekend. I'm
> leaning towards Ridgely as I have to go out and pick up my new harness, but
> Bills Hill might be a good back-in-the-saddle mountain flight if the winds
> move around any further to the East. Anyone planning ahead for the weekend?
>
> ChrisBatman
>
brianvh
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Joined: Wed Feb 09, 2005 2:32 pm
Location: manhattan, New York

Flying this weekend?

Post by brianvh »

SSE is an excellent Jack's forecast, and not much further than Bill's with
much better soaring potential and a much better LZ. We've under utilized
that mountain in the last 5 years.

Brian Vant-Hull
301-646-1149

On Wed, 24 Aug 2005 drice@toad.net wrote:

>
> I'm planning to go somewhere on Saturday. Currently, I think it will be
> Ridgely due to the S or SE forecast and cloud cover to the west. But it's
> early and things could change. Bill's would be great if it turns more east as
> I'd like to get back to the mountains too but I'm not getting my hopes up.
>
> Dave
>
> Quoting batmanh3 <batmanh3@yahoo.com>:
>
> >
> > I know its only Wednesday, but it looks like a SE trend for the weekend. I'm
> > leaning towards Ridgely as I have to go out and pick up my new harness, but
> > Bills Hill might be a good back-in-the-saddle mountain flight if the winds
> > move around any further to the East. Anyone planning ahead for the weekend?
> >
> > ChrisBatman
> >
>
>
>
>
>
batmanh3

Post by batmanh3 »

Jacks would be good too, but I still have to get my harness from Ridgely and it would be a haul to drive to Eastern Shore and then turn around and drive back to Jacks. Anyone heading out to Ridgely tomorrow or Friday that would like to ferry a check out and pick up my harness?

C
drice21037
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Joined: Thu Jan 06, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: Annapolis, MD

Flying this weekend?

Post by drice21037 »

Oh Yeah, I forgot about Jack's. What forecast should I watch for Jack's? It's
west of Breezewood isn't it?

Dave

Quoting Vant-Hull - Brian <brianvh@umd5.umd.edu>:

>
>
> SSE is an excellent Jack's forecast, and not much further than Bill's with
> much better soaring potential and a much better LZ. We've under utilized
> that mountain in the last 5 years.
>
> Brian Vant-Hull
> 301-646-1149
>
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CraginS
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Jack's Info - WAS Re: Flying this weekend?

Post by CraginS »

Jack's is north of McConnelsburg, rather than west of Breezewood. Route from DC is go to the Pulpit and then head north on 522 (details in the site guide) (Note - the greeen shingled house at the left turn on to Jack's Mt Road is no longer there. BUT - a better marker for the turn... a display area for small sheds is there.)

Jack's is on a SE facing ridge. Same forecast as Fisher Road works for Jack's. Use State College PA as your point of forecast reference. See my WX page at http://members.cox.net/cragins/index.html

Info on site preservation: A few years ago, the owner of the LZ closed it to hang gliding. He did this because of inconsiderate pilots tramping and driving on the crops.
Shawn MacDuff, Hyner HG Pres, did some marveloous diplomatic work and got it reopened. I had a good conversation with him at HR this past Saturday about the site and his relationship with the owner.

Here are the core rules for the LZ:
1. Only park at the street edge of the field. DO NOT drive up the service road into the middle of the field. Yes, the road is already there. But the problem was drivers backing into the crops to turn around.
2. You can land in the low crops (alfalfa) if necessary (grass obviouusly is preferred), but if you do, do not break down your glide in the crop. Carry it out to the grass by the road to break down.
3. No alcoholic beverage consumption on the property or on the road at the LZ.
4. As at all sites, be polite, and thank the owners if you see them. They live in the house across the street from the field.


Cragin

[quote="drice21037"]Oh Yeah, I forgot about Jack's. What forecast should I watch for Jack's? It's
west of Breezewood isn't it?

Dave

Quoting Vant-Hull - Brian <brianvh@umd5.umd.edu>:

>
>
> SSE is an excellent Jack's forecast, and not much further than Bill's with
> much better soaring potential and a much better LZ. We've under utilized
> that mountain in the last 5 years.
>
> Brian Vant-Hull
> 301-646-1149
>[/quote]
brianvh
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Location: manhattan, New York

Flying this weekend?

Post by brianvh »

An hour north of the Pulpit. South to SE works great. Brain dead soarable
at 10 mph.

Brian Vant-Hull
301-646-1149

On Wed, 24 Aug 2005 drice@toad.net wrote:

>
> Oh Yeah, I forgot about Jack's. What forecast should I watch for Jack's? It's
> west of Breezewood isn't it?
>
> Dave
>
> Quoting Vant-Hull - Brian <brianvh@umd5.umd.edu>:
>
> >
> >
> > SSE is an excellent Jack's forecast, and not much further than Bill's with
> > much better soaring potential and a much better LZ. We've under utilized
> > that mountain in the last 5 years.
> >
> > Brian Vant-Hull
> > 301-646-1149
> >
>
>
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Spark
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Joined: Sat Jan 01, 2005 5:36 am
Location: Evergreen, Colorado

Post by Spark »

I'm thinking of joining Noah Merrit for some Bag flying at Fisher road tommorrow (friday) afternoon. I'll probably fly the Bag at Jacks on Saturday.
'Spark
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Scott
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Location: Shepherdstown, WV

Post by Scott »

As much as I'm dying to get back to the mountains, I've got to head back down to Blue Sky. I want to work on my landings more because they aren't bombproof---and IMO there's no better way to practice approaches and landings than truck towing.

Yes, I know---"Landing at a flight park is WAY, WAY different and so much easier than landing in the mountains." But you typically only practice those mountain landings once or twice in a day...I want and need more practice than that! :)

Scott

PS - I do plan to attend the Pulpit Fly-In, and I'll even sacrifice flying for doing wire crew all day long! :)
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rancerupp
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Post by rancerupp »

Scott wrote:"Landing at a flight park is WAY, WAY different and so much easier than landing in the mountains."
Scott,

You should move the spot to make it more challenging. This gets you away from relying on what you've done a hundred times before. BTW, that's what a good instructor will do for your H3 anyway.

Rance
Matthew
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Location: Tacky Park

Weekend Flyin'

Post by Matthew »

You can also practice landings and LAUNCHES by going to the training hill. I did 9 flights in one day at the hill once. I think Kevin Carter did a dozen at Smithsburg. Any record holders out there for most flights at the training hill in one day???

We may stop at Ridgely late Sunday if we we get back in time from sailing. Need to stay current on towing. We haven't towed since the Ridgely Fly-In. It's been too damned HOT until now. Anyone wanna lend their glider to a guy who is too lazy to set his own up????

Matthew
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Scott
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Location: Shepherdstown, WV

Post by Scott »

You can also practice landings and LAUNCHES by going to the training hill.
True! :) But landings at a training hill are without approaches (unless you soar at Smithsburg) and typically without the airspeed you have coming down from altitude---so I believe training hills are a poor substitute for landing practice. (Fine for launches though!)

Scott
drice21037
Posts: 69
Joined: Thu Jan 06, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: Annapolis, MD

Flying this weekend?

Post by drice21037 »

I realize this is splitting hairs but training hills are great practice for
landings, they're just useless to practice approaches. Right now my approach
skills are stronger than my landing skills (you know girls like guys with
skills :) so I could use another training hill day. Or maybe a pattern tow
day which it's starting to look like what tomorrow will be. The clouds and
rain are headed our way sooner than expected.

I'm also thinking about waiting until next weekend. I'll decide in the morning.

Dave


Quoting Scott <sw@shadepine.com>:

>
>
> Quote:
> You can also practice landings and LAUNCHES by going to the training hill.
> (end of quote)
>
>
> True! :) But landings at a training hill are without approaches (unless you
> soar at Smithsburg) and typically without the airspeed you have coming down
> from altitude---so I believe training hills are a poor substitute for landing
> practice. (Fine for launches though!)
>
> Scott
>
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Spark
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Location: Evergreen, Colorado

Re: Weekend Flyin'

Post by Spark »

Matthew wrote:... Any record holders out there for most flights at the training hill in one day???
Matthew
I did 27 flights one day at Smithsburg ... in a Paraglider
'Spark
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CraginS
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Contact:

Training Hill Leg Abuse

Post by CraginS »

[quote="Matthew"]You can also practice landings and LAUNCHES by going to the training hill. I did 9 flights in one day at the hill once. I think Kevin Carter did a dozen at Smithsburg. Any record holders out there for most flights at the training hill in one day???
>>SNIP<<
Matthew[/quote]
My personal record is 16 in one day at Taylor Farm. However, I must admit, it was on a beautiful brisk fall day, with a firm SW wind that assisted every carry back up to the top, which became more like kite flying than carrying.
If I recall properly, Kevin C's Smithsburg record was something above 20. ANd I think he even carted Lauren's glider up a few times that day. Talk about an Ironman!

cragin
brianvh
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Location: manhattan, New York

Flying this weekend?

Post by brianvh »

Pick a day when the wind is above 5 mph on the ground. Move the spot so
that you have to come in for final along the downwind side of a line of
trees about two tree heights away from them. Have fun!

Brian Vant-Hull
301-646-1149

On Fri, 26 Aug 2005, rancerupp wrote:

>
>
> Scott wrote:
> "Landing at a flight park is WAY, WAY different and so much easier than landing in the mountains."
> (end of quote)
>
>
> Scott,
>
> You should move the spot to make it more challenging. This gets you away from relying on what you've done a hundred times before. BTW, that's what a good instructor will do for your H3 anyway.
>
> Rance
>
batmanh3

Post by batmanh3 »

Scott -

Obviously I recognize the fact that you like to stir the pot, but sometimes you really talk out of your ass. Training hills are great places to work on landings. If you would of said that you get less experience in working on approaches I would agree, but in most cases, training hill pilots have stronger landing skills then tow pilots due to the fact that you aren't taught to "roll it in" at the training hill. I was already a H3 with very competent landing record before I ever took my first tow. You really need to stop making generalizations on subjects that you aren't well informed on as less experienced pilots read these posts as well and will be led to believe things that are CLEARLY untrue.

Chris
Richard Hays
Posts: 315
Joined: Wed Feb 09, 2005 9:13 am
Location: Baltimore, Maryland

Flying this weekend?

Post by Richard Hays »

I think Juan Sonan holds the record for most flights from a training hill in
one day. At least from my personal observation. If anyone knows
Juan...you'll know what I mean. I personally saw him do a dozen + at
Taylors with his UP Mosquito and similar jaunts at Oregon Ridge many years
ago ( 1976-78 timeframe ) with his Electra Flyer Cirrus 2. The man is not
human. LOL.

Rich Hays


>From: "Matthew" <adventuretales@yahoo.com>
>Reply-To: hg_forum@chgpa.org
>To: hg_forum@chgpa.org
>Subject: Flying this weekend?
>Date: Fri, 26 Aug 2005 08:52:46 -0400
>
>You can also practice landings and LAUNCHES by going to the training hill.
>I did 9 flights in one day at the hill once. I think Kevin Carter did a
>dozen at Smithsburg. Any record holders out there for most flights at the
>training hill in one day???
>
>We may stop at Ridgely late Sunday if we we get back in time from sailing.
> Need to stay current on towing. We haven't towed since the Ridgely
>Fly-In. It's been too damned HOT until now. Anyone wanna lend their
>glider to a guy who is too lazy to set his own up????
>
>Matthew
Richard Hays
Posts: 315
Joined: Wed Feb 09, 2005 9:13 am
Location: Baltimore, Maryland

Flying this weekend?

Post by Richard Hays »

Wow....are you ever mis-informed. I won't go into it because I think Batman
already said it best :)
Training hill time is ever-so valuable for landings ( among other things ).
Don't kid yourself otherwise. It's vital to spend time out there at least
one day per every 3 months to keep current. Especially if you want to
mountain fly.

Rich Hays


>From: "Scott" <sw@shadepine.com>
>Reply-To: hg_forum@chgpa.org
>To: hg_forum@chgpa.org
>Subject: Flying this weekend?
>Date: Fri, 26 Aug 2005 09:14:33 -0400
>
>Quote:
>You can also practice landings and LAUNCHES by going to the training hill.
>(end of quote)
>
>
>True! :) But landings at a training hill are without approaches (unless you
>soar at Smithsburg) and typically without the airspeed you have coming down
>from altitude---so I believe training hills are a poor substitute for
>landing practice. (Fine for launches though!)
>
>Scott
huddlec
Posts: 206
Joined: Thu Jan 06, 2005 11:16 pm

Flying this weekend?

Post by huddlec »

CraginS <cragin_sh@yahoo.com> wrote:
Matthew wrote:You can also practice landings and LAUNCHES by going to the training hill. I did 9 flights in one day at the hill once. I think Kevin Carter did a dozen at Smithsburg. Any record holders out there for most flights at the training hill in one day???
>>SNIP<<
Matthew
My personal record is 16 in one day at Taylor Farm. However, I must admit, it was on a beautiful brisk fall day, with a firm SW wind that assisted every carry back up to the top, which became more like kite flying than carrying.
If I recall properly, Kevin C's Smithsburg record was something above 20. ANd I think he even carted Lauren's glider up a few times that day. Talk about an Ironman!

cragin
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hepcat1989
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Post by hepcat1989 »

I did 10 launches, and landings in a day at smithsburg.If not the practice then use it for the exercise.Hey Scott,instead of voluntering to help at the pulpit all day, get to a hill, do some work and fly at the fly-in!I wish I could. Peace, Shawn.
Paul Tjaden
Posts: 398
Joined: Tue Feb 08, 2005 10:28 pm

Flying this weekend?

Post by Paul Tjaden »

In a message dated 8/26/2005 10:52:09 A.M. Eastern Standard Time, mshgflyer@hotmail.com writes:
I think Juan Sonan holds the record for most flights from a training hill in
one day.

Hey,
I don't think Juan comes close to Kevin's record. Talk about NOT human. Kevin Carter and I flew S'burg one day a couple years ago when no one else wanted to go. I was obsessed with perfecting my foot launches. 5 or 6 inches of snow covered the hill and it was BRUTAL. After 7 launches (which I considered heroic in the conditions) I was so exhausted I was tempted to just leave the frigging glider in the field and buy a new one if?I ever decided to fly again.
But Kevin managed either 22 or 23 launches. At least. He would sprint up the?100 foot hill?with his glider while I panted and rested with mine. Like Robo-pilot. Ask him how many he did; he will be too polite to brag if he is not prodded. Extreme fitness was one reason Kevin improved so rapidly, because he could nab three times more flying as anyone else at the hill. I have no idea if this was his personal best; it was simply one day I observed, but it was maybe just the average amount of exercise for him at the time.
Lauren
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