Minimizing Your Presence In A Non-Designated LZ : It Ain't Rocket Science

[markc]

So, I've had the unfortunate experience of landing twice now in the "Square Pond" LZ, which is just north of the old HG primary.

Tried like hell to survive the flush, way cross and simply *crazy* sink at times. Worked the knobs just before the finger to the north of launch, got back to ridge level twice... But I just couldn't pull it off. And so I had to land in that darn field.

What was the next step?

****Get Your Butt Out Of There!!!****

There are two sections of the field, one closer to the mountain, and then the pond field proper. I had hoped to land in the former, but that wasn't happening because it was too turbulent and switchy. Realized I had to put it into the pond section, much closer to the house. Ended up with a downwind landing due to thermal activity, but no damage other than pride (rolled in on the wheels).

From there?

I hustled my damn-self away from the property!! Hauled the glider the length of that field. Found a way through the tree-line bisecting the two sections. Then hauled the glider the entire length of the closer-in section. Oh, did two trips because of the harness. It was a lot of work.

It was what one needs to do.

This put me along the road that follows the river, and *prior* to the chain that the property owners have put up across the road. And from there, I hiked back toward the PG landing zone, then crossed the bridge, got my vehicle, and went back to get my gear.

A second pilot who landed in the field later in the day apparently didn't realize the sensitivity of the field. And the pilot retrieving him apparently came in from Route 11... And that road, guess what? It goes right by the home.

So who did they happen to encounter, out for a walk? The landowners of course, who were not happy to be seeing them on their property and their private road.

If you *HAVE* to land in the pond field, please be aware that you are intruding, and do your damn best to skulk away!

MarkC

[XCanytime]

I have a question. Was it broadcast to the group of pilots before flying that the pond field was not an option for landing? Bacil

[markc]

No discussion, and I didn't initiate one : Assumed that everyone knew that the pond field was basically off limits, but maybe that info hasn't gotten to everyone yet.

My own plan (if needed) was to land at a field owned by the Schechtel family, across from the old Fishburn property. I did so a bunch of years ago, the owners seemed friendly, and it's very doable on a Falcon. Stopped by to walk it before flying.

My mistake was to head to the north finger. True, a good bet on cross days. But if you get pinned there low due to a flush cycle, you aren't going to be able to punch back south, at least on a Falcon. Won't make that mistake again...