Weekend of 4/4 - 4/5

[Matthew]

Hmmmm.

Gonna try bolting a hang strap to my trash can.

Matthew

[silverwings]

It's blowing link stink and the clouds are moving along pretty fast! It is hard to believe the forecast for it to lighten up mid-late afternoon since the front was probably later then expected but maybe it will. With the strong lift forecast even if it does get lighter there will probably still be a strong gust factor. What do others think about my evaluation and their guess?

[dbodner]

I'm not super-optimistic.

[darbbb]

The forecast is enough for me to bail. Hoping for better days ahead.

Brad

[Matthew]

We're out.

Still calling for gusts to forty in the afternoon and gusts into the upper 20s till 6pm.

I'm not even sure if it is safe to drive with the gliders on the car.

Matthew

[markc]

The gust factor on the hourly graph is gone at 6pm (FWIW). Sunset 7:40. The front is now well off-shore. I still think we might get lucky, so I'm aiming to arrive by 3:30 or 4:00. If no hint of a throttle back by 6:00.... To the brewery!

[markc]

Oh, and the latest text cast is now G35, and the area airports have been reporting gusts in the low 30s (not 40-50). So that might be another positive sign.

[krryerson]

Okay,
I will go and pack the car now and head out. Anyone else wants to give it a try?
Should be there by ~3:30 PM.
Knut

[krryerson]

Leaving now. If you can't find me, will be going on a short hike. Feel free to call me @ 703-nine-six-seven-8277 for a local WS weather report.
Knut

[deveil]

driving home on the back side of Woodstock , dusk and after, spring peepers should be out about now, a force of nature, might want to catch their audacious audibles.

[markc]

The patience paid off today!

And the peepers were singin' to the full moon!

[XCanytime]

Sure enough, the forecast for the sharp dropoff came to fruition. I got there at 2P and it was fine for the next hour. At 3P it got honking and for the next 2.5 hours it blew. At 5:30P there were hints of a throttleback, and by 6P it was moderate, with some gusts up to 20. But the low end was way longer than the high end, so I led the charge with a launch just after 6P. Found spring air but nothing too terrible or turbulent. Randy Weber, Knut, Gary Smith, and Walt followed and we all had pleasant flights, with gains up to 2600' over and good approaches and landings in the bridge field. Mark had a setup issue that prevented him from flying, so he helped launch the pilots. Thank you Mark! Gary, Walt, and I enjoyed a nice reward of food and spirits at the Strasburg Hotel Bar. Forecasts are just that, forecasts. However, the hourly at Woodstock per the Weather Channel had it backing down nicely after 6P. That was enough for me to make the gamble. Makes sense since the sun is setting! Bacil

[krryerson]

Great flight yesterday and glad I went to WS. Bacil said it all and will sum up with a flight video from yesterday.
Enjoy @ http://youtu.be/TB24CSCI81k
Knut

[wmelo]

After a long wait, I could finally take off by 7:00pm!
I was the last one to go. Mark helped tremendously in the take off: thank you again!
The winds were weak so I did not have any issue to take off.
I flew for 30 min, got 1500 above the LA, and landed on the bridge field, which I learned during dinner we are not formally authorized to land there
I was planning to fly today at Daniels, but I grounded by my beloved wife Well, hopefully, we will be able to fly again next weekend.
Enjoy your Easter!

walt