Edith's Gap LZ assessment

[Dan T]

I've landed a PG in the lower portion of the Edith's Gap LZ twice in the last week now. I also witnessed several other PG landings there. Having flown a HG for most of my 18 years in the sport, I thought I'd offer some preliminary thoughts regarding it's suitability for landing an HG. As a point of reference my last HG was a WW U2 that I flew for several years.

As most of you know the LZ has been cleared and is quite long along the fall line of the foot of the mountain. It also has a significant slope that will approximate the glide angle of any wing other than one that has a down button like a Falcon. If I was attempting to land a HG there on either of the two days I flew, (light to moderate upslope but switchy winds) I'd consider a run along the tree line down slope to the fat part of the lower field then turn mostly cross wind and attempt to land near the end of the field on the south side. This is essentially the route that Brian took when he flew it that first day. However on both days that I flew I do not think that there would have been enough room to get a U2 on the ground before reaching the driveway and the trees. At the point the only option is to turn up hill and make a down wind landing if this approach pattern is used.

Alternately one could plan for a down wind landing, fly to the bottom of the field and straight up the hill. This would be similar in difficulty to landing downwind upslope at the primary LZ at the Pulpit. On a no wind or catabatic evening (such as yesterday) this would be cake. A big wind sock in the lower part of the LZ would help a lot with this decision.

Edith's Gap is proving to be a terrific XC site. More than half of the PG pilots flying it are getting OTB XCs to I-81 and further. While I wasn't among them I could have easily reached the big fields next to the river just before the turn up the hill on the way in from Luray had I left when I was above the ridge. Based upon just these two spring time flights I think most HG flights are going to be capable of landing out somewhere.

Dan T

[mingram]

Indeed it's proving to be an easy XC site. Several more landed near Woodstock/Strasburg yesterday. The path over the back is not committing because there are many easy fields to land in if you bomb out.

Reposting from Jeff...

As with Bill's, I think Edith's is a very good XC site for 3 basic reasons:

1) East facing sites and east facing winds generally means the uppers are going to be better-behaved, allowing greater climbs to top of lift without super strong uppers that can ruin thermal formation.

2) East facing thermals start earlier in the day, so you can launch earlier and fly longer, as Tom did last weekend.

3) No downwind airspace constraints.

[lbunner]

Dan, I think the PG LZ is not safe enough for a HG. I do however think the field just to the ESE would be excellent. Take a look on GE. It runs toward the S and starts at 940' at the pond before the sheds then rises (yes rises) 35' to a flat field that runs 575' that is very flat. I realize the PGers don't need this as an LZ but I really wish a HGer would check it out. It's a big field only a 6.3:1 glide from launch. Could one of you guys check this out? I think it's landable for a double surface for sure.

[Dan T]

Bun,

I'll check it out next chance I get. I think you are referring to the field that is entered by continuing along Serenity Ridge Road. Please check and let me know if I have the right spot.

Dan

[XCanytime]

I would not touch the PG LZ with a 10 foot pole. To keep it completely safe I would only fly Edith's Gap when it is soarable, which guarantees the ability to reach plenty of nice LZs to the SW, or OTB into the Fort Valley and beyond. Bacil

[lbunner]

Dan, yes that is the road. The road ends right at the field I was looking at.

Bacil, check this field out. It is slightly up hill and in the relative direction that we would need. If I weren't 11 hours away I'd go look myself. To hear how much fun the PGers are having at this site, I can't believe you HG dudes aren't all over this!