Potential flying day Friday (05/24/19) @ WS

[wmelo]

I am keeping my fingers crossed for a flying day this Friday @ WS or Pulpit. Too early to call, but hopefully other HG pilots would be able to take the Friday off if weather is good

So let your boss know by Monday that you will take a sick leave this Friday:) & get ready....

[wmelo]

Friday @ WS...

[wmelo]

still promising....

Volunteers?

Thoughts?

[wmelo]

Still promising...

[garys]

I'm up for Woodstock tomorrow. ETA; bridge field at 11:00 am?

[wmelo]

Oh yes

[wmelo]

So far 3 HG pilots confirmed
It will be nice to have more a couple of pilots

[Dunegoon]

Wow, I can get off of work tomorrow. If I feel rested enough tomorrow morning maybe I can join you. Let me know before 8 am if your plans change because I'll have to leave early to make it by 11 am.

CF

[wmelo]

Although I will be @ the bridge field by 11am, I will only drive up by noon. I must attend a Teleconference from 11 to noon. I will do it by the bridge field (no phone reception behind the Montain)

[Ward Odenwald]

I'm in! ETA at launch 2ish.

Ward

[markc]

Looked awesome heading home from work, hoping to hear of some great flights today!

[Dunegoon]

Some nice flying yesterday. Pictures and video to follow. Started out the day at 5:30 am, did some chores and then was on my way. I realized almost an hour into my drive that I forgot my base tube.....I had stored my glider in the basement so my packing routine was different. Made way back home, took a break and started out again with even more resolve to relax and have some fun no matter what happened.

Since the road is closed it is less convenient to land out front. Ward and I had a plan to land out at the Front Royal Airport. Earlier flights by Joe, Gary, John and Walt were not producing the altitudes (4K MSL) that would make it an easy flight. Fortuitously, flying later proved to be a good option. Ward launched first sometime after 4PM (thank you Gary!). I launched last and we both got up easily and made our way to the north. Solid ridge lift with intermittent thermals made it a pleasant trip. Ward and I flew cooperatively marking lift for each other. I have some good air-to-air footage. We staged by the point and I got a couple good climbs and could have drifted back and climbed even more. I went back out front of the ridge as Ward appeared to be heading back to the main LZ. I did not want to get separated so I followed. Unfortunately, I spotted a finely feathered Bald Eagle below me and my selfishness took over. I could not resist to fly in close and climb in the best thermal of the day. I floated with this colleague back over the valley to 5.3 K MSL and easily had the airport.

The Eagle vanished overhead and I meandered to the airport with 4.5K MSL. Watched some touch and go traffic and flew around sight seeing, just enjoying the air. Finally set up a nice pattern and made a sweet landing by the ramp and taxied to the tie down area. Much to my surprise, as I unhooked and looked up, Ward was on a nice long final! That made it even better! We made our goal as planned.

Could not get an Uber so I walked to the house at the end of the airport entrance. They were having a party, so a good group of people were there. I explained to the very first person that I met that we were trying to get an Uber ride. He immediately offered a ride back to launch! His name is Hunter and he lives next to the airport. They were having a birthday bash for his dad. Had a pleasant conversation with him on the way back up. Hunter is a Lineman for the power company, but his avocation is hunting and fishing. Thank you Hunter! It takes 35 minutes to get back to launch from the airport so over an hour total trip. Much better than driving all the way around to the front LZ. One of the airport people asked me why I did not just leave my car at the airport ahead of time. : ) Not that confident yet, but I guess it might be worth the chance.

More to come.

CF

[Ward Odenwald]

As Charley posted, we had a blast yesterday! Here are two images. The first shows our goal that was taken during my last significant climb to just above 4k msl (the VG line’s orange tip is pointing toward the Front Royal airport). The second was taken during my final and the birthday party that Charley mentioned is just behind my right down-tube.

Wonderful Day!

Ward

[silverwings]

Ward, great to see you flying and Charley a late birthday present!

[markc]

The photo from the ridge, south of Signal Knob, with the airport in sight....
That is most helpful, thanks Ward!!!

[Dunegoon]

Short video of a magic ride to the airport. It was that easy with big fat thermals. I topped out at 5.3K MSL. Once Ward and I got to the point I lingered to try to mark a good climb for him also. At one point he headed back so I took the next available thermal out. The Bald Eagle showed me the best thermal of the day. Little did I know that Ward was behind me. Once out in the valley I just flew around in buoyant air. My camera just happened to catch Ward turning final and my curious look as I realized that he made it also which made it all the better. After a dismal Spring flying season I just wanted a mellow flight and that is exactly what we got. The Gecko continues to amaze me with it's climbing ability and easy handling. The only noise that I hear is my harness and shirt flapping as I speed up

I can't embed vimeo video into phpBB anymore so here is the direct url:

https://vimeo.com/339677044