Woodstock report 4/26/14

[John Dullahan]

Winds at Woodstock launch from 10:45 to 12:30 am were 3 to 5 mph, with a slight west component. Woodstock effect much in evidence, but set up and waited for more winds and pilots. At around 11:15 am a sailplane flew NE past launch at about 100 ft. below launch. About three minutes later it flew SW past launch at about 200 ft below. Looked like the pilot banked on the strong winds forecast and got skunked by the Woodstock effect. We did not see the sailplane again and it may have had to land out – not a desirable outcome for these aircraft.

At around 12:15 pm the winds increased to about 12 to 14 mph, with a slight west component. Daughter Erin arrived from Mary Baldwin College, Staunton, and began taking a few photos.

Randy Weber, with family, and friend Larry, arrived at around 1:00 pm. Standing on launch for about 5 to 8 minutes, Randy measured 12 to 14 mph, occasionally gusting to 20, slight west component, with the highest gust of 22 recorded. Randy began setting up. Cloud cover was about 50%.

Around 1:55 pm, with Randy and Larry as an able launch crew, had a nice launch into 8 – 10 mph, and after clearing the slot went on a sporty elevator climb at 600 fpm on the 5 second averager. Flew towards route 11 to get out from under a sizable cloud, with its attendant lift at 550 to 650 fpm. Strong lift and winds continued as I flew out from under the cloud and away from the ridge, but even with 3/4 VG (Litespeed RS 4 topless), and the basetube pulled in to mid tummy, progress was slow. Approaching the bridge field at about 1,000 ft over ground, it took some searching to find sink, which I cored, and got down to a nice landing in the bridge field. The flight lasted a lively 20 minutes. I could see Randy’s set up glider on launch, so I called and recommended that he wait for conditions to mellow.

Back at launch, I joined Bacil, Jon, and Gary Smith, who were waiting for milder conditions. I left at around 4:30 pm, just as Jim Gibson arrived, to join the hang waiting gang. Bacil later reported that although the winds had backed down, there were showers in the vicinity, so everyone left for a reduced-strength reunion in a local restaurant.

[mcelrah]

Congratulations on your flight, John! The sailplane was Piet Barber's and , yes, he landed out (uneventfully) a couple fingers south of launch. Well, there was the small matter of a locked gate and calling the sheriff who might have had a key. There was a ride in the back of the police car, but it was for transportation, not trespassing… - Hugh