Pulpit -> Thursday (9/7/17)

Post by **Ward Odenwald** » Tue Sep 05, 2017 7:12 pm

Predictions suggest solid ridge lift conditions from late morning to late afternoon plus thermal forecasts indicate decent activity. Friday may also be good but as of now, the forecasts are leaning towards blown out conditions.

Ward

Post by **krryerson** » Tue Sep 05, 2017 9:04 pm

Next week looking good too

but, anybody interested in flying on Thursday, September 7th?
I am off on Thursday and are looking into flying at Pulpit or Woodstock, if weather permits.
Anybody interested?
Knut

Post by **wmelo** » Wed Sep 06, 2017 11:41 am

Very interested in flying Thursday PM.

Post by **Ward Odenwald** » Wed Sep 06, 2017 6:47 pm

Recent forcasts are still indicating that tomorrow will bring soaring conditions at the Pulpit. Will recheck the morning casts but counting on an ETA of 9:30. I'll post after the early AM updates.

Ward

Post by **krryerson** » Wed Sep 06, 2017 7:13 pm

Can be at Pulpit at ~11:00 a.m, unless traffic is out of control. Looks like good lift the whole day.
Seems like we have 3 for now, (Ward, Walt and Knut)
Do we have more pilots for Thursday?
Also, is WS an option? You can self launch, if you are last pilot at WS. Other pilots in air watching... .
Works for a few pilots, but not recommended for most.
Knut

Post by **silverwings** » Wed Sep 06, 2017 10:55 pm

The problem with WS is that it's going to be cross from the left and the valley tends to increase that cross. Even if it was a NW forecast for WS (which it is not) it will still commonly have some cross at times. The Pulpit is good for West winds but may get too windy. I am going to look in the morning and may go to the Pulpit.

Post by **XCanytime** » Wed Sep 06, 2017 11:37 pm

The HGR surface hourly forecast maxes out at 12 MPH. Last Sunday the max was 15 MPH. So it will be strong during the meat of the day (1:30P to 4:30P) but should be moderate up to the front end and a sweet throttleback on the back end. Sure wish I had the day off. Gonna be a stellar day. And even about just as good on Friday at the Pulpit. Bacil

Post by **Ward Odenwald** » Thu Sep 07, 2017 6:47 am

Still looking good. ETA 9:30 - 10:00.

Post by **krryerson** » Thu Sep 07, 2017 7:47 am

ETA Pulpit at 10:45 am and can't make it earlier.
Hopefully this will not be to late for early flights.
Now, it is all about getting help on the launch. ??????
Knut

Post by **krryerson** » Thu Sep 07, 2017 12:53 pm

Don't think the live https://airtribune.com/7093 did work.

Posting my http://doarama.com/view/1603223 if interested... .

Forgot to tell that I flew with many eagles today. Eagles all over the ridge.

Knut

Post by **krryerson** » Thu Sep 07, 2017 5:19 pm

Sitting on the launch right now, watching Walt flying.
5.15 p.m and he is a couple hundreds feet above the ridge.
Solid ridge lift and seems like he is having a great time, in his new WW U2.
Earlier today, around 1:00 p.m. Ward, John D and I (Knut) flew. We all had good launches, including Walt, later.
I landed north on the ridge, on a nice landing field, after trying to jump to the next ridge. Never got more than a few hundred feet above the ridge, later, during my XC. So played safe and did not push it over, but landed. Two hours flight.
Flew with John D on the ridge. But, he decided to go back and landed back in McConnelsburgh.
Ward went over the mountain, landed at the elementary school.
Great day and more to come later form John, Ward and Walt.
Knut

Post by **wmelo** » Thu Sep 07, 2017 9:20 pm

Interesting day at Pulpit.

After finishing my work activities, I took off by 5:00pm with the help with my fellow pilots: Ward, Knut, John D., and Juan. I flew for 1 hour and gracefully landed in the main LZ. According to my fellow pilots, my take off was good.

I did not get very high: max 400 feet above launch. But, I could try out my new glider. I was able to turn several times, use the VG, thermal a lit bit, and finally land safely on my feet.

The thermals were odd: very small when I was above the road (270 ft above launch). I got my wires slacking a couple of times. But I was unable to ride them.
I am however pretty glad with my day. I am becoming more confident with my new glider and having fun! I am looking forward to flying with these nice group of people again.

Post by **krryerson** » Fri Sep 08, 2017 2:48 pm

Trying to promote the sport and as often, made a YoutTube video.
From Thursdays flying at Pulpit.

If interested, https://youtu.be/hfJnoB83TVc

Knut

bustedwing2 · Post by **bustedwing2** » Sat Sep 09, 2017 1:56 pm

You may want to consider calling Martinsburg and advising them of HG in the air when flying. Yesterday while driving to Chambersburg on Rt 30 just a mile or so east of Ft Loudon there were three A10 at 500 AGL OR LESS cranking and banking. Havent seen those guys in quite a while. Guessing they're stepping up the training with the recent tensions.

Post by **Ward Odenwald** » Sat Sep 09, 2017 7:10 pm

Good day -> everyone soared! Knut was first off followed by me, JohnD and Walt. As you can see from the images, over development left large regions of the valleys and ridges in cloud shadows but there was sufficient ridge lift and plenty of tight/small thermals to be had. The photos are ordered and images 5 through 9 show frequently used McConnellsburg LZs for both HG and PG pilots (upper field of the primary, the golf course, upper field of the secondary followed by the full primary and secondary LZs). Typical of early September, most of the fields are in crop with corn or soy and given the multi-shades of green everywhere you look, 2017 has been a good year for the farms. I landed next to the Lemar Elementary School (down wind from takeoff).

Juan - thanks again for helping us!

Ward

http://doarama.com/view/1606981

PS: Richard, thanks for the heads up concerning the A10s! Mid April, while we were setting up, a pair of Warthogs appeared from behind the ridge at no more than 2 to 300 feet above us (flying/screaming east to west) and then dove into the Mcburg valley. Scarry to say the least!