Calvert cliffs Sunday

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garys
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Calvert cliffs Sunday

Post by garys »

Might turn out to be a good day this Sun at Calvert Cliffs. Keeping an eye on it and will make a call Sat afternoon.
Gary Smith
Dan T
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Re: Calvert cliffs Sunday

Post by Dan T »

Gary,

I'm interested if it's a PGable forecast.

Dan T
garys
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Re: Calvert cliffs Sunday

Post by garys »

http://www.usairnet.com/cgi-bin/launch/ ... K&state=MD

Going to be an unusual day with strong HG winds all day out of the NE. Looks like it starts out at 14 then ramps up to 17. Have not seen a day like this since last year when Felix and Pete got to near 2600 over.
Gary Smith
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brucekav
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Re: Calvert cliffs Sunday

Post by brucekav »

Sounds interesting and I may com along if it's on. Have you got any more details of the site as I can't find It in the sites guide (location, access, launch, landing, how long the cliffs are etc.)

Thanks,

Bruce
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FlyingFelix
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Re: Calvert cliffs Sunday

Post by FlyingFelix »

Calvert Cliffs is a site i flew once and got extremely lucky to make it up to about 2800' msl. The launch is at about 80' over the water, with mostly less height than that along the shore on the property of GaryS's father. I later found the reason for making it that high while reading Dennis Pagen's book Understanding the Sky. Apparently a strong enough wind going first over a peninsula then over a large body of water will pick up speed over the water on the bottom layers, it starts flowing at an angle and hit the next shore on its way at this different angle than the air on top, making an area of convergence over the cliff that makes it bulge upwards once the 2 air masses meet. Don't take this word for word but that's the general idea I got from the book (even had a sketch included) and it made perfect sense to me.
Last year winds were called from the NE in the 12-14 mph range and it picked up more in the afternoon. If Sunday looks to be similar conditions we might get lucky and make it way up there again, so if the forecast looks positive I'll be in.
I made a video of that sweet flight if you want to check out the area, available on YouTube called Soaring the Chesapeake Bay (limited internet acces on our little vacation makes it impossible to get the link to that video)
Felix.
garys
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Re: Calvert cliffs Sunday

Post by garys »

Still looking great for Sun. If you are new to the site you need very strong AWCL skills and the ability to land cross wind on a narrow beach although if you get up pilots flying there head south to Flag Harbor where you can land on a wide beach somewhat into the wind. As Felix said launch is 100 feet above the bay and you usually have to do a couple of passes at launch height before getting over launch. Once over it is cake if wind is 12 mph or over. The cliff runs north south for a few miles but if you jump a gap you can go for 15 or so miles. Low tide is at 2:30 pm so that is good too. I will be there at 9:30 am. Directions; From Washington DC. Take route 4 (Pa. Ave) south through the town of Prince Frederick. Eight miles south of Prince Frederick turn left (east) onto Long Beach/ Calvert beach road. Go around traffic circle in St. Leonard, Md. and continue east. Turn left at dirt drive with signs "Matoaka Beach cabins". Drive to end of 1 mile long dirt drive. Launch is on left half way in. If you visit with the family you can fly and the family can hunt for fossils on the beach. Dress warm. Gary; Cell 540-686-0351
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markc
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Re: Calvert cliffs Sunday

Post by markc »

Thinkin' about it... Will be watching the forecasts to see if the NE@15-ish holds up! If it does, could be an awesome day!

MarkC
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markc
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Re: Calvert cliffs Sunday

Post by markc »

Here's a link I've found useful for the cliffs:

http://tidesandcurrents.noaa.gov/ofs/cb ... cast.shtml

I usually like to see some hints of 15-20, which doesn't seem to be the case for Sunday. But on the other hand, they're calling for a solid 10-15 the entire darn day, which is unusual. So I'm cautiously optimistic.

MarkC
garys
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Re: Calvert cliffs Sunday

Post by garys »

Good weather website Mark. It gives a lot more info than the Launchcode site. Our tax payer dollars hard at work. I thing the velocity will be fine.
Gary Smith
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markc
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Re: Calvert cliffs Sunday

Post by markc »

There are now hints of 15-20 at mid-day! 8)

This is good! I prefer strong/solid/wait-for-a-bit-of-a-lull at that launch, rather than the opposite. Keeping my fingers crossed that nothing will change by tomorrow.

MarkC
garys
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Re: Calvert cliffs Sunday

Post by garys »

Joe Schad is meeting me in Berryville at 7:00 am. Heading to the Bay after. ETA 9:30 or 10:00.
Gary Smith
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markc
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Re: Calvert cliffs Sunday

Post by markc »

Now looking like 15-20kts midday, which might be a bit *too* strong. But there should be lighter conditions before, and then again starting around 3pm or so. Definitely worth the gamble IMO. ETA 9:20.

MarkC
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FlyingFelix
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Re: Calvert cliffs Sunday

Post by FlyingFelix »

Well it's not in the cards for me today - got a late start and need to be back early for family dinner and all...
Looking great today and hope you guys get some sweet flying!
Looking forward to the flight reports
Felix.
stevek
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Re: Calvert cliffs Sunday

Post by stevek »

I hope everyone realizes that what is looking like a spectacular Calvert Cliffs day is totally attributable to my being unable to go.
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markc
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Magical Thinking + Rigid Thinking = Taking A Drinking

Post by markc »

There was soaring to be had at Calvert Cliffs today! JoeS and Gary were both up for at least 1.5 hours, on a classic NE day, woohoo! Hopefully they will chime in with the details of their flights.

Me? Well, not so much.

I suppose there's a plus side: My wing is definitely much cleaner than it was when I arrived. That's a good thing, right?

Sigh.

There are so many variables to consider at Gary's site, but I'm not going to get into them at all. Why? Because the MOST BASIC requirement is to fly safely and to be conservative, given that launch is only about 100' above the surf.

Contrary to the forecasts, conditions at launch were only 13-15mph during the cycles that I measured, from 10am to 11am. A little bit light, but still clearly "Good, let's go!". And that's exactly what Joe and Gary did: Both had good launches, with Joe getting up after a couple of passes, while Gary had to work a bit longer.

Then the winds got lighter, 10-12mph: No more of the 13, 14, pushing 15 that we had been seeing. I measured the wind speed for a while, and watched Gary for a while, and eventually convinced myself to give it a try after seeing some sustained 12-13mph.

I know the drill : Cell phone? Leave it in the car. Hook-knife? You betcha. Landing? You need a plan in case you don't get up. I launched with the help of Gary's cousin Noel and his wife : It was a good one, straight out, no dive-out off of launch.

I turned right and headed down the cliffs, as I've done before. Then I turned back to the N&E. A bit sloppy: Lost maybe 15 feet on the turn. Was back at launch level.

Turned back south after passing launch, and found NOTHING to keep me at/above the ridge.

My plan? There was a stretch of beach to the south which I had scoped out before launch. If I couldn't get up, I would head downwind, turn left away from the cliffs, and then turn left again into the wind, and then land on the beach.

So this is where the magical-thinking comes in : I was *sure*, during that southward downwind pass, that I would find *something* to keep me at cliff-top level. I've never sledded there before... But SURELY, I'll find something to keep me up? Right???

No. Wrong.

Once I was below the top of the cliffs, there was absolutely no lift component at all. Gary explained it later : With a bit of a cross component, the wind hits the cliff and then it just scoots along and accelerates, parallel to the cliff line.

So this is where the rigid-thinking comes in : I was *convinced* that I could pull off my original flight plan, swinging out over the water and then turning back to shore.

(Note: You really can't do it the other way, at least on a U2. A right-hand approach, with a turn toward the cliffs and then a turn up the beach, just isn't possible, at least along that section of the beach.)

Yeah, well... Guess what, you're below the cliff, getting pushed downwind *WAY* faster than you anticipated... Do you _really_ think that you are going to whip it around (left, and a left) and land?

No. The *Conservative* and *Safe* choice would be to do the *Obvious*, and simply land downwind. Accept the fact that you are going to eat some sand! Hell, I've been there, done that on some XCs from Highland, no big deal (relatively speaking).

But for some reason, with no margin for error, I decide that I can't POSSIBLY land downwind today.

WTF??

I make my turn, run my approach, and guess what? I come up short and don't make the shore. My right wingtip hits first (I think??), and then I'm suddenly doing a ground-loop/water-whack at least 10 feet offshore.

I'm not a complete noob. I *have* walked the beach before, and I *have* walked out into the surf before, to check out the water depth.

And I landed in "only" three feet or so of water.... But that was enough for a major adrenalin rush. Face plant, nose down, and then the waves turtled the glider. I'm enjoying the unusual perspective of being underwater, and hooked in.

But it's shallow, and I get my feet underneath me, toss the helmut, and unhook. Then I somehow wrestle the glider around, trying to use the same principles that you would use on solid ground after getting turtled. It wasn't easy.

With my glider tail-to-the-wind in the surf, I watch my helmet floating way.... "Wilson!", I cry. "WILSON!!!!"

(For at least 5 minutes more than the scene really demands. *smile*)

So I slog into onto the beach, shrug out of my waterlogged harness, wade back out and get my glider, and retrieve my floaty helmut.

Damage : One tip batten, and one undersurface batten, most likely when I was flipping the glider. I'm a bit stiff and sore from wrestling with the glider, but no real problems.

Noel came down with a towel so that I could dry off, that was so nice... And I just have to laugh even now, who would do that sort of thing?

After letting the glider dry in the sun, and shaking out a fair amount of sand, I realize that I can't find my nosecone. Oh no!

WILSON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

MarkC

PS: All of this took place within maybe 45 seconds or so, so the point is that you have to be prepared!
Ward Odenwald
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Re: Calvert cliffs Sunday

Post by Ward Odenwald »

Wow Mark! Great write up – certainly jump started my day (after a bad night with the flu)! I’m glad your ok. Rigid thinking early in the flight, maybe, but the fact that you walked/waded away from that experience with only minor issues suggests that you made a heck of a lot of split second decisions to avoid a significantly messier outcome. Should consider combining your description with your past posts including those with photos. That collection would enhance our understanding of the Calvert cliffs, its challenges and beauty. Suggested reading for all that fly there! Again, thanks for sharing this.

Ward
Last edited by Ward Odenwald on Mon Apr 21, 2014 1:12 pm, edited 1 time in total.
theflyingdude
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Re: Calvert cliffs Sunday

Post by theflyingdude »

Mark,

If your glider got a dunking in salt water, I've read that you might want to flush the tubing and other hardware with fresh water as the salt will have a corrosive effect on the aluminum tubing and other metal parts.

JR
stevek
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Re: Calvert cliffs Sunday

Post by stevek »

I had pretty much the same experience a year or so ago only I chose the "power into the sand downwind at 30mph option". I thought "I can do this. Do not look at the ground". But I couldn't/didn't. No damage to me or the glider but given that the bay is very shallow I think water was a good choice.
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jyoder111
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Re: Calvert cliffs Sunday

Post by jyoder111 »

Yikes, Mark. When I had my "sledder" at that site a couple years ago I remember thinking of trying a similar turn but chickened out and took my chances downwind. Almost ate a rock and cement jetty, so maybe water is the better choice. :mrgreen:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MAuzBmsNHUM

Did you get your flight on camera?!

Jesse
Joe Schad
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Re: Calvert cliffs Sunday

Post by Joe Schad »

Mark,

Your are a master of words and your post is a great lesson for others to ponder. Great job. You should send it to the Hang Gliding magazine for publication.

Joe

PS Most kind of you not to mention my near wack of tree on my turn at launch trying to get up.
Danny Brotto
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Re: Calvert cliffs Sunday

Post by Danny Brotto »

Who the heck is "Wilson"?

Danny Brotto

PS: Glad you are alright. Do what JR suggests, rinse everything off and out with lots of fresh water!
wuffos
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Re: Calvert cliffs Sunday

Post by wuffos »

@ Danny B.

I believe "Wilson" is a reference to Tom Hank's soccer ball/"companion" in that movie where he was marooned on a South Pacific desert island ?

Bill U. , Phila., PA
garys
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Re: Calvert cliffs Sunday

Post by garys »

Wilson was the soccer ball that Tom Hanks befriended in the movie Castaway. It was his only companion for a couple of years when he was stranded on an deserted island in the middle of the Pacific by himself after a plane crash. There was a bloody hand print on the soccer ball that looked like a face. Tom made a raft of bamboo and left the island in an attempt to get back to civilization. Wilson washed away from the raft and Tom swam after him to bring him back into the fold of the comfort of the raft. I can definitely see the analogy as I witnessed the whole short flight and "water loop" unfolding below me and Mark's helmet went floating away. Very funny Mark. At least the "Wilson" part. The rest of the flight and landing were pretty scary and I am happy to see things turn out as well as they did. We used to do a bit of scuba diving out there in the shallows and we always joked that if you got into trouble all you had to do was stand up. I don't think any of us should be flying there if it was deep water. I like your "glass half full" attitude Mark. Kudos to you for the great write up and creating a learning environment for all. PS. I was thinking that your flight amounted to ratio of the shortest flight to most amount of work associated with the flight of any flight I can remember including a few of mine. Did your instruments come back to life?
Gary Smith
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markc
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Desalinization Phase I

Post by markc »

Thanks to all for the many expressions of support! I haven't yet gotten into the PMs, but will do so eventually.

I took a vacation day on Monday : "A bit sore" became more of a whiplash thing by Monday morning, no way was I going to get anything productive done at work. It didn't feel right to take a sick day for my colossal F-up..... So that will be one cost of my mishap, and will hopefully help make the lesson stick.

Felt a bit better by the end of the day, and decided to rinse out the glider. Yeah, that takes a while, you'd be amazed how much sand can get sucked into the nooks and crannies. Another cost of my screwup, and another effective way to absorb the lesson.

Round two of the desalinization will be to rinse out my (backup) harness, yank-n-rinse the chute, and then repack. Yet another good opportunuity for absorbing that lesson, eh?

So let's look a bit further at what that lesson really was... Here are a few of my take-home points:

1) Being able to soar at Gary's Beach is a privilege and a gift. When you go, it probably wouldn't hurt to _expect_ a sled, and to be pleasantly surprised if your flight amounts to anything more than that. Regardless of how good things look, or how good the forecast might be.

2) Once you are more than a smidge below the cliff-top, you are basically on final. Or, you should be doing whatever it takes to put yourself onto final.

3) Once you are more than a smidge below the cliff-top, the lift disappears VERY quickly. For my flight, I was burbling along on my southward pass, burbling along on my northward pass..... But once below, on my third pass, the lift was completely gone and I was toast. As in, training-hill-toast, "You are landing NOW!" toast. So just accept it. And if you're lucky and conditions permit, you might get another shot at a soaring flight once you've packed up.

4) If winds are light-ish, and the stronger cycles are only building up toward the 13-ish mph range: Don't expect much at all! Velocities need to be _bottoming out_ in the 13-ish range, with sustained cycles more like 15mph, for there to be any anticipation of soaring. If that isn't happening : Expect a sled, and plan for it, and be glad for it. See Point (1).

I've gotten a few questions about the "left, then a left" description of my planned landing. This is hard to describe without a diagram, but here's what I mean: You get low, turn away from the cliff on a curving path out over the water, then turn left on another curving path back toward the beach. So this isn't a classic 90/90/90 DBF, there's no way that would work. My plan was to head back toward the beach on a bit of an angle, get to the water line, and then "juke" the glider into the headwind and flare. Hard to describe via text.... But it has definitely worked for me on other flights. Happy to discuss in more detail, just ask.

(Well, it works unless you've started everything about 50' too low, as I did. Sheesh.)

What you all want to know: Is there video???? Damn, I didn't trigger the GoPro prior to launch, so (sadly) I don't have anything from the flight itself. I suppose this is a "good" thing: I was concerned about the conditions, had been measuring wind speeds for about 30 minutes, and was really focused on the go/no-go decision. I completely forgot about shooting video, grrrrr!

However, I *do* have some video once I waded back out to retrieve my glider. That might have at least some amusement factor : I'll try to post it on Vimeo or something.

Finally: Jokes about Wilson notwithstanding, I do realize that I F'd up in a major way here. Although the water is shallow, it doesn't take a whole lot of imagination to think of ways that I could have been screwed. A significant crash, loss of conciousness, some weirdo entanglement in harness/control-frame ? Oh yeah, those are the possibilities that really have me chewing myself out on this. So please feel free to pile-on the next time you see me, there's no excuse for letting this happen.

MarkC
Dan T
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Re: Calvert cliffs Sunday

Post by Dan T »

There is no reason to pile on you Mark, or to pile onto anyone else in a similar situation for that matter. I for one am glad to see that the incidents of doing that by members of the club have diminished markedly in the past several years.

Now is the time to shake it off and rebuild your confidence. Our role should be to assist you in doing that should you desire that assistance.
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