Woodstock Monday 5/8

[silverwings]

Forecast looks pretty nice. Who is interested? Thinking about ETA at 12:30.

[silverwings]

Having some issues so not sure if going. Will post later if going.

[wmelo]

Joe, Jim and another local H3 pilot are going to WS.
It looks like it might be a good day!

[smurfsky101]

JEALOUS!

I'm coming up from waynesboro in a bit, i'll try to loop by the LZ and say hi to you guys.

I'm currently recovering from a dislocated shoulder last week (hard landing @ Elsinore), otherwise i would be with you fellas

[thermalup]

...

Flight Report from May 8:

Arrived at launch to find Joe S. and a friendly local H3 pilot setting up. Winds were WNW with moderate to strong thermals cycles coming through. Nicely formed cumulus filled the sky with no over-development anywhere. Cloud base was maybe 7.5K to 8K. Joe and the local H3 had great launches and were up and away. Marzena and John (smurfsky101) provided professional launch assistance and I had a nice launch during a straight-in cycle.
My flight plan was to head south and hope the wind would become slightly more NW as forecast. However, I spent too much time trying different options for crossing the Edinburg Gap and ended up headed back north to tank up on altitude.

Halfway back to launch I found 500 fpm up to 5200' over the ridge. As the lift decreased to 120 fpm nearing cloudbase I had a decision to make ... head downwind toward Rileyville (big fat growing cumulus there if I could arrive with enough height to tap into it) or make another attempt to cross the Edinburg Gap where nice clouds where forming on the other side. I chose to head south. A few minutes later I regretted that decision as I lost much of my altitude while in 600 fpm down just trying to position in front of the gap.

Clouds were now thinning and I spent the rest of the flight cruising the main ridge and exploring lift lines out into the valley. Thermal lift was also now far and few between and the WNW (the NW never happened) was still strong ... 18-20 mph at 6:30 pm. I hit expected turbulence 200-300' over the 'new' LZ but it mellowed out on final for a nice landing in the 3' hay/grass (hopefully to be cut soon for you guys?).

Marzena and I have to leave tomorrow but it was great flying here again and meeting some more of the talented local pilots. You guys have a great flying attitude and this is much appreciated. We really wish we could stick around for the NW flow forecast for next week.

Here is a photo (it it displays properly) of the view a little before the decision point in the flight. Next time I'll head east!
..::Jim G.

[Ward Odenwald]

Great photo! It’s what Woodstock is all about. Please consider using it as your desktop image when you get home. It just may hasten your move from MI to VA.

See you next year (hopefully sooner).

Ward