I headed out toward Bills on Sunday morning, convinced I would see NE winds when I arrived. Noah Merritt. Somewhere around Clear Springs on I70 I got a call from Noah reporting NNW winds, so I turned N on 615 and made my way to the Pulpit. By the time I arrived, Noah and Brian were up top and unpacking their gear. Winds were slightly cross from the NNW at 5 to 8mph.
I launched first, headed toward the powerline cut where I found some workable lift and managed to circle up to maybe 100' over for awhile. Eventually, I headed out and bobbed over the LZ for awhile before landing. Winds in the LZ were due N and just strong enough for some brief kiting practice. Noah joined me in the LZ a bit later and Brian drove down to retrieve us.
Back up top, we met Ellis who had recently arrived and was ready to launch. I began assembling the Falcon 225, after arranging for a possible HG tandem with local resident (and H2) Rich Bloomfield.
Ellis was first to launch, and headed down the ridge and found enough lift to climb above launch and make some passes before succumbing to gravity. Shortly afterward, Brian made his second flight and Noah followed. I drove retrieve for the three.
Rich met us on top as we arrived for yet another round. By this time, winds had gone to very light and occasionally very cross. Unfortunately for Rich, not tandem-launchable. I took a solo flight from the new ramp in the big wing, sprinting down the ramp in near-nil wind. It was a typical sled, except for two things - I was making my first flight in a new (to me) harness I got from Kelvin; and the wind switched and blew 3mph from the S as I turned final. Thanks to that big wing and a quick flare, a downwind landing was a no-stepper.
Soon after I flew, I was joined by Ellis and Brian in the LZ, and learned that (ironically) the wind had increased and blew straight in for 10 minutes after I launched. So ... we headed back to the top. By the time we arrived, the NE winds had begun and the sky was grey and overcast. We said our goodbyes and departed, content with our sleds and 'extendos'.
It was a nice 'bi-wingual' day.
Pulpit on Sunday 13February05
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pink_albatross
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