Woodstock Saturday November 3rd

[XCanytime]

Another chance has surfaced. Early birds get the worm. Bacil

[andybalkphysics]

Bacil,

I will be around. (Baltimore Oct. 30 - Nov. 13) I'd be glad to come out and crew as I won't have a glider.

-Andy

[markc]

Hey Andy, I have a Falcon that you could use, velocities permitting...

[andybalkphysics]

Damn that would be awesome Mark...unless you're going to come out also. If so I'd still be happy to crew/just hang out. What size is it?

[XCanytime]

With a major temp drop forecast to occur from Friday to Saturday we may end up again at Woodstock, just like 3 weeks ago. Bacil

[markc]

Hey Andy, the wing is a Falcon4 170. Excellent shape, see this post for details of its most recent flight.

The turn in my T2C isn't _quite_ worked out yet, so I'm a bit torn between flying WStock this weekend (assuming the forecasts hold) and taking it down to Blue Sky for more tweaking and some tows. But even if the latter, I can arrange to leave the glider in the back yard, if you are able to arrange transport with someone else. Give me a call if you want to work out the details...

MarkC

[andybalkphysics]

Mark,

OK, great! Thanks a bunch, this is gonna be awesome. My friend in new mexico has a 170 that he lets me fly when I'm between gliders. I've been sort of missing Woodstock, there isn't really a place like it there.

OK I'll give you a call, and figure out a glider rack for my rental nissan versa.

-Andy

[XCanytime]

With a major temp drop forecast to occur from Friday to Saturday we may end up again at Woodstock, just like 3 weeks ago. Bacil

And we are. Bacil

[markc]

Guess we need to rename this forum topic

Currently aiming to be there around 2pm, though that might change with tomorrow's forecast. Might have a driver...

[Dunegoon]

ETA 11.

CF

[markc]

Awesome day at WStock! Kinda wished I had stayed up until sunset, as winds really backed down at the end of the day. Challenging day, at least in my book, strong and sharp thermals, a few over-the-falls moments, some point-and-shoot when strong cycles rolled through.... But very glad I flew, and the fun-meter was ticking a fair bit. Will post some photos tomorrow!

[XCanytime]

Arrived at 10:40A to very strong conditions and a beautiful sky full of clouds. Vowing not to repeat the substandard launch from 3 weeks ago, I put in multiple streamers in the slot from edge to edge. During my slow movement on the steep, rocky slope almost stepped on a baby Copperhead snake retreating into his hole below a rock. Glad it was getting outta dodge. After a while it settled down to strong to moderate conditions on launch, with relatively smooth launchable cycles. A good sign. Eric Kriner was first to arrive by noon, followed by Shane Morland, Gary Smith, and Charley Fager in the next hour.

Took off at 1:30P with Charley and Shane's help. Had to time it right, as there were a lot of cross cycles bouncing off the NE edge of the slot. Picked a good cycle. Expected a west cross in the airstream exiting the slot, and I was not disappointed. But it was a MAJOR west cross. Got clear of the slot flying fast but still got pushed sideways big time as I entered the airstream out in front of the slot. Turned left and navigated through the rotor turbulence to get above the ridge, with a goal of making it to Waonaze Peak since it faces more westerly. Almost got there, but the ridge rises and I got below the ridgetop just shy of Waonaze Peak. Turned around and flew back towards launch. Flew out into the valley and found some cohesive lift to get me above 3K' MSL. At this point I was thinking of landing out in a field that would be devoid of upwind obstacles to the west. So I drifted with the cross to the NE halfway between Rt. 11 and the ridge, scouting fields. Didn't really find any, so I started going back to the ridge, but hit major sink and was down to ~ 2500' MSL. Checked where I was and the main LZ was within glide, so committed to landing there.

Over the fields by Woodstock Tower Road the air was boiling and turbulent. Flew a fast approach and got down, heading into the west wind. Got popped up about 10' as I was bleeding off airspeed. Pulled in, and had a tippy toe landing. Finally a good launch and landing in the same flight. I needed that. Shane was gracious enough to retrieve me. Thanks a bunch Shane. Back at launch Mark, Andy Balk, and Eric were soaring effortlessly in the now clear sky. Gary and Charley were set up, but it was honking on launch. We saw a bald eagle above Andy dive on him, then tuck his wings to head SW. I hit the road just before 5P as I had a dinner engagement to make. Bacil


Here is the Ayvri link to the flight:
https://ayvri.com/scene/z15y60z0jx/cjo2 ... 68klt2den3

[andybalkphysics]

Well a huge thank you to Mark for lending me his Falcon, and for the ride! We got there around 1:30, to Bacil flying overhead. Starting setting up the gliders, and by the time we finished it was blasting NW. Waited around a bit, and like a switch it backed way off till it was pretty launchable. Since I was worried about making the LZ I took off first, finding consistent ridge lift. Picked up a climb or two (think I got up to 4700 MSL at the highest) and pretty much hovered over the ridge for a while. I did see the Bald eagle a few times, right above me and sometimes to my side; I saw it chasing some of the others also. Made it out to the field with plenty of altitude, as I maintained or climbed for much of the trip, and had an OK landing. There was a bit of a wind gradient right a treetop level which led to a bit of a drop on final, but nothing unmanageable.

It was great to be back! Thanks also to Charlie for the hang strap. Looking forward to seeing the photos.

[markc]

Landing photos from Woodstock this past Saturday to follow..... I only got those who landed once I was on the ground, so none for Andy and Bacil. Sorry guys!

[markc]

Photos of Eric Kriner's landing:

[markc]

Photos of Charlie Fager's landing:

[markc]

Photos of Gary Smith's landing:

[markc]

Andy might be missing Woodstock?

[markc]

Well damn it! Every frickin' one of the pics that I rotated to portrait mode aren't displaying in the proper orientation when the thumbnail is clicked... Will try to fix tomorrow, major sigh!