Pulpit Saturday 7/9

[XCanytime]

This time at least there should be more wind but hopefully less of an X from the left this time versus the sizable right X we saw on Saturday. Saturday night looks good . Looking to fly late Saturday or early Sunday to time the clocking around of the wind to a good angle at launch. Bacil

[Dave Gills]

I'm in if it doesn't look blown out.
Fingers crossed

[krryerson]

Interested in flying on Sunday.
Pulpit to High Rock sounds fun to me, if I can make it and someone can help with the retreat. How fare is it? 20 miles?
If yes, sounds like a sport class task to me... .
Knut

[Dan T]

It's closer to 30 miles, right at 27 if I remember right. It's a great sport class XC with lots of landing options once you clear the two ridges behind launch. I've made it to Emma Jane's field 1/2 dozen times, all of them memorable flights. I hope your next one is as well.

Dan T

[XCanytime]

Looking to fly both days at the Pulpit. Early both days. Bacil

[Ward Odenwald]

Looking really good this weekend. As of now, the Pulpit and WS should be considered for both Saturday and Sunday. However, predictions for either day suggest that each site/day will have strengths and weaknesses. On Saturday, wind direction and speed (all day) look good at both sites but speed may be the decider with higher/20+ speeds above 2K predicted in the afternoon at the Pulpit. On Sunday, the Pulpit may be the place (it’s a really big MAY BE), but a predicted north cross at the Pulpit diminishes my enthusiasm. Sunday’s casts for WS look good but it’s on the edge as far as wind speed. Given that Saturday is a day closer with hopefully more reliable forecasts, I’m leaning toward WS given that consistent HG ridge soaring conditions along the entire length of the ridge are predicted.

Ward

[krryerson]

Ward,
Agree we should keep an eye on WS for this weekend too. Let me know what you guys decide to do. Prefer WS, but will go where it seems to be the best forecast.
Knut

[XCanytime]

Dead nuts west all day Saturday at either place. Check the hourly fcst for Hagerstown and Woodstock. Yes it will be strong at the Pulpit in the middle of the day Saturday but literally straight into launch versus a 45 degree cross at the Woodstock slot but my goodness just get there early and launch before it gets too strong. Pretty simple. And the ridge faces literally straight into the wind so if you want to talk about ridge lift it couldn't be much better. Turning to NW on Sunday but still it shouldn't be like last Saturday with a complete N cross and the velocity will be strong again midday but again........get there early and launch before it gets too strong again. And if you really want to slam dunk the case does anybody remember what happened at the Pulpit 7 years ago at the Pulpit this very week with literally the same 2 day forecast???? Bacil

[Ward Odenwald]

Morning casts are agreeing with Bacil’s Saturday Pulpit call. The GFS model is still indicating a WNW (280 degree) flow during the day at Woodstock but the NAM prediction is showing a WSW (260 degree) direction. Will wait for tomorrow’s 6 AM predictions before setting out.

Ward

[bowen.tim]

I am looking to fly on Sunday if the forecasts hold out.

[Dave Gills]

How early on Saturday for Pulpit?

[krryerson]

Looks really good for Pulpit for Saturday; so pretty sure I'll be going early tomorrow to Pulpit for XC. Launch by latest 11:00 am, wlll be my guess. Or?
Knut

[rlweber]

I am seriously considering the Pulpit. I have only flown there once previously. I appreciate the input, especially on timing.

Randy

[flymiller8]

I would love to fly Pulpit Saturday if the forecast holds/improves.
-josh

[bowen.tim]

Change of plans, I will be there early Saturday morning. I will also bring my weed whacker to trim down the setup area. I plan to get there early.

I do have to leave by 2pm. Plan to fly early if conditions are good. I can then drive to/from launch/LZ up until 2pm.

[markc]

I'm considering The Pulpit tomorrow as well, but will temper my enthusiasm until I see the morning's update. NWS sfc hourly has been scaled back at Woodstock, if the trend continues Pulpit could be a good choice.

[A.Lloyd]

I'm up for the Pulpit tomorrow and will need to be observed.

Anthony
301-639-9789

[mcgowantk]

I am thinking of going Sunday. Not sure where yet.

Tom

[Ward Odenwald]

Can only fly one day this weekend so I’m going to pass today and take my chances on tomorrow. Today’s morning conditions at the Pulpit look good but the predicted afternoon clouds and possible storms are the deciding issue for me. As of now, both WS and the Pulpit forecasts are looking good for Sunday.

Ward

[silverwings]

I was thinking last night about flying today and realized that it would be pre-frontal which CAN be not enjoyable flying so I am looking at Sunday and skipping today.

[bowen.tim]

Had a great day today. Winds were STFI, velocity about 10-12. Dave Gills, Bacil, Randy Weber, Knut, and 2 more I didn't know. Bacil can fill those names in. I managed to get some of the setup area cut down. Grass is about 18" high. I went up to launch with my loppers, but only made it 3/4 of the way up when I came face to face with a 6 foot Timber Rattler. Bacil said I could make the Olympic Track & Field team for the high hurdles. I ran back down to the setup area in record time and managed not to twist an ankle or face plant on a rock.

Bacil took off and I was right behind him by about 5 minutes. I took off at 11:30am and landed in the main LZ at 1:00pm. I could have stayed up longer but have a surprise party to go to tonight. Some thermals were tight and punch while others were big fatties. I topped out at 4,100 MSL. It was a nice boating day in the air. Now, hopefully tomorrow is good as well and I can get a hall pass from my wife again.

[krryerson]

First time flying at Pulpit and a great place. Few of us went XC, but did not get so fare. Looked better later in the day.
If interested, check following link: http://doarama.com/view/835682
Knut

[lbunner]

Nice flight. the Doarama was pretty revealing. You'll want to watch that a number of times to get all of the learnings out of that flight. Again, well done.

[XCanytime]

A difficult (for me at least) and challenging day. After the early morning excitement with the Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake, and an encounter with a miserable coot who didn't take kindly to Eric's passing him on Aughwick Road and followed him to the parking lot to cuss him out in front of all of us, a complete motorcycle gang shows up at the launch with 25+ members. I take off first and get up easily to the cheering horde of bikers. Tim, Knut, Eric, Randy Weber, and Dave join me and we bob up and down. Two flush cycles ensue and the 2nd one almost nails me but I cling tenaciously to every bit of lift and get back up. The lift was again like walking on a balance beam. I finally say the heck with it and fly out in the valley over the main LZ just for the heck of it (and some clouds upwind drifting that way). I finally climb straight up to 4200' MSL and there is no thermal drift. I am still directly above the LZ. Downwind there are some clouds so I fly due east and cross over Cove Mountain, losing only 400' in the process. I then burbled along under some clouds and found only bits of light lift. There are tons of crops around in the fields so the number of LZs is very small. I put down in a cut field just shy of the Rt. 30/PA Rt. 416 junction. Randy made it 11 miles to land at a farm on the north side of Rt. 30, and Knut made it to just south of St. Thomas. Big thanks to Dave Gills who picked all 3 of us up. Dave and Tim landed in the main LZ, whereas Eric landed out down by The Corner. Back at launch Josh Miller and Matt showed up but the conditions were swirly and strong at the peak temperature time of 4:30P. They didn't fly since they have flight plans for tomorrow, but Eric got in a second flight in the glass off that ensued after 7P. Bacil

[krryerson]

Bunner, if I am correct, this week was the anniversary for your record flight from Pulpit, (~200 miles). We were hoping for the same conditions today and tomorrow.
Anyway, if interested, here is a compressed 3 minutes’ video below, from Saturdays 2 hrs. XC flight. You can get a feel of the conditions.
Note, did not like the launch and landing.
If I could have done it over again, would have launched from the ramp.
During landing, would have establish the correct airspeed prior to flare.
Enjoy!



Knut