Woodstock this Fri PM (5/23/2014)

[wmelo]

TODAY
MOSTLY SUNNY. HIGHS IN THE LOWER 70S. NORTHWEST WINDS 5 TO
10 MPH...INCREASING TO AROUND 15 MPH THIS AFTERNOON.

Thermal updraft velocity > 500

Volunteers? Observers?

walt

[garys]

I am planning to be there at 4:00 pm. I think Joe Schad is also going to give it a shot.

[wmelo]

Cool...
what are your phone? Do you know Joe's phone#?

I can be there by 4:00 PM as well.

My Verizon phone# is: 443.seven eight nine - 9465

walt

[wmelo]

Well...not a bad day after all.
I arrived pretty late: 6:30pm. I saw John who landed at the Bridge and gave him a body ride to his car.Then, I met Hugh who was already at the launch area.

The winds were still strong: 15MPH with gusts up to 20mph. The winds got better before we decided to fly.

Finally, I launch by 8:00pm! According to Gary and Hugh, I did a solid launch. I was still able to enjoy a few thermals and a constant wind. I spent most of the time almost in front of the launch area. Hugh launched after me and decided to go directly to the landing area since it was already getting dark.

I decided to land on the bridge field as well. It was my first time landing there: I loved it!

It was not very fun to break down the glider so late in the dark:( But, I cannot complain...I got a good time flying.

Again, I wish to thank again Garry and Hugh for their great help!
Walt

[mcelrah]

Yet another example why Gary Smith is a superior human being and all around nice guy:
He:
- just showed up on launch after he had already launched to help us off
- lent Walt his vario, thereby commiting himself to meet us in the LZ - and gave Walt a body ride back up
- drove to the main LZ to meet Walt - then back to the bridge field when Walt landed there instead
It was great to see Gary again after at least 3 years - it's been that long since I flew HG at Woodstock, my favorite site (one PG flight a year ago). I was primarily there to observe ("sponsor") Walt after a day with the Front Royal sailplane club. Thanks again, Gary!
- Hugh