Pulpit, Friday 12/4

[Ward Odenwald]

Forecasts are looking good for tomorrow. Any interest?

Ward

[Dave Gills]

I'm in!
What time?

[Ward Odenwald]

Great! I should be there by 11 but could be cohorsted into an earlier arrival to help the early birds.

Ward

[Ward Odenwald]

ETA 10:30

[Ward Odenwald]

Good day but challenging. Arrived at ~10:30 and Dave showed up at ~12:30. After 11am, consistent 15 to 20 mph at launch (mostly STFI with no angry air). We took turns soaring. I flew for an hour and then helped Dave into the air. At launch, it looked as if ridge-lift was a given but there was little to be had! The wind speeds that we were experiencing at launch were most likely only above 1.5K msl or higher (predicted by the forecasts) but thankfully the thermals made soaring possible (small/tight bursts of intense up). The air was super clean as evident by the remarkably deep blue sky (will post images tomorrow). For nearly half of my flight, I was below the ridge taking an uncomfortable close look at the Tuscarora “sea of trees”. My highest climb was to 2.8K msl (could have been higher but that would have placed me way behind the ridge). Most of the significant lift was found out in front of Rt 16. Landed in the primary on the grass strip. The cornfields are filled with 6-inch tall stalks that are anchored to the ground.

Happy to be in the air!

Ward

[Dave Gills]

I had a really good time even though I only got an extended sled.
Good launch and a perfect no-step landing within 3 feet of target (big ground hog hole)
Sometimes it's the little things.

[Ward Odenwald]

Here are some images from yesterdays flight. The first set highlight the first part of the flight where I stayed close to launch, the middle set show one of the climbs that started over rt 16 and the last 5 highlight landing in the primary LZ. Several of the pics also show the secondary field which is planted with either grass or more likely winter wheat.

Ward

[Ward Odenwald]

Second set.

[Ward Odenwald]

Landing