Another go at Taylor Sun16Oct ?

Post by **markc** » Fri Oct 14, 2016 6:24 pm

Looking like it might be south. Heard that John is planning to teach. So if the forecast holds I plan on a good-for-ya day at the training hill! Come on out and brush up on your launch and landing skills!

MarkC

smurfsky101 · Post by **smurfsky101** » Fri Oct 14, 2016 10:35 pm

I might join, who alls coming?

Post by **markc** » Sat Oct 15, 2016 10:11 am

I'm guessing that Eric and Anthony will be there, based on their interest a couple weeks ago. John and a couple students I imagine. Myself. Possibly you, and anyone else who's looking for a practice day. Forecast is SSW@6 at the moment, which would be pretty ideal.

Might be willing to share flight time on my new-to-me Falcon if anyone's interested. But only after I've had a chance to fly it myself!

Post by **mcgowantk** » Sat Oct 15, 2016 9:31 pm

I am seriously thinking about Taylor Hill. I will try to start early in the morning since I have to get back early. I am looking forward to a fun day at the training hill.

Tom McGowan

Post by **markc** » Sun Oct 16, 2016 8:47 am

on the road now...

Post by **A.Lloyd** » Sun Oct 16, 2016 11:13 am

Eric and I had a long day and night at Kings Dominion yesterday. Today, I will be checking on the training hill crop at Smithsburg since I'm not that far away.

Post by **markc** » Sun Oct 16, 2016 8:16 pm

Pretty darn good day, write-up and photos a bit later tonight...

Post by **markc** » Sun Oct 16, 2016 11:00 pm

Good day at Taylor Hill today. Lots of the usual, with the socks and streamers pointing in completely different directions, but hey, that's Taylor on a thermally day, right?

Predominantly SSW conditions, as forecast. Mellow cycles early, then a bit of a ramp-up by late morning, with vultures and swallows and a bald eagle in the air. Clouds blowing through, winds a bit on the strong side. But then, later in the afternoon, it backed off and got pretty darn sweet/mellow/predictable. Would have been one of those perfect days to be working on a rating as a student. Wow, back in the day, I probably would have tried to knock off 12 or more flights, it was that nice!

JohnM had two first-time students, and I believe that both (Mark and ???) got their feet off the ground, after some initial challenges ground-handling and the like. Probably did better than I did on my first day, way back when. Hopefully they will take a second lesson: they've gotten past the hardest part!

Cast of characters : Tom M, Igor, Eric, Mike C, myself, Matt I, John, and his two students.

Tom did four flights, on his topless and with full comp harness. Sheesh, that's hardcore! Mike and I both did eight flights on Falcons. I think Igor had at least six flights, and Eric had a bunch as well. Matt demonstrated his mad-PG-kiting-skills on the top of the hill several times, and he even briefly got above the hill on one of his flights. We were yelling "Frederiscksburg!" from down below, it was quite a sight!

Some photos to follow.

Mark