Options for Fri03July?

[markc]

Though hot, I'm seeing a NW@6 surface forecast for the Pulpit on Friday. If the usual +10 materializes... Any interest? Any alternative ideas?

[XCanytime]

I have to work in the AM but I'm free in the afternoon. Looks good to me if it stays NW. I'll volunteer to help out like last Friday. Predicted ETA 2P+. Bacil

[markc]

I'm thinking of just heading up there to do some site maintenance, to build on what Rich did today. And if flyable... That would be gravy!! Let's keep an eye on the forecasts!

[markc]

Just had a look at the weekend forecasts for WS, Pulpit, Daniels, Jack's ....

Though it's early (Wed night), the conditions on Sat and Sun aren't looking good for the mountains at all. So Friday might be "the day", even if cross out of the NW. Likely too light for Woodstock, so the Pulpit might be the best option.

Anyway! Hoping that we'll be able to fly _somewhere_ for the holiday weekend.

[bustedwing2]

will be riding motorcycle friday afternoon starting @1p, available to wire n maybe fly late in the day

[markc]

That's very nice of you to offer, thank you Rich! Hopefully more 'fly' than 'wire'!

[markc]

Odd lack of activity in this topic, especially given that Sat/Sun are looking pretty darn light in the mountains.... Do we have any other pilots with the day off tomorrow?

[A.Lloyd]

Interested.

[markc]

I'm starting to hear some text-chatter : Charlie, Anthony, and John M are at least considering giving the Pulpit a try tomorrow. So that's encouraging! Will update if I hear any definite "I'm In!" from them.

Checked the forecasts just now, and I still don't see anything encouraging for Sat or Sun at any of the mtn sites. Friday might be all we've got.

[markc]

Huh! The nickel finally dropped... If there's flying to be had tomorrow, then camping out on Fri night might also be fun! Haven't done that in a while, piling up some gear right now!

[silverwings]

I am thinking of PG at Woodstock if there are others.

[markc]

Noooo! John, you must come back from the Dark Side!!!

[markc]

Heading for the Pulpit now. Hopefully those on the fence will decide it's worth a try!

[mcgowantk]

I would be there but I am at the beach with the family. Next weekend!

[markc]

Streamers are up on the ramp! Bit of a NW cross, as expected, but also nearly straight-in cycles. Should be good in another hour or so!

[markc]

In short: A good day of flying was had! Major kudos to Bacil and Rich for coming out to help with launches. In the air today were myself, Charlie, Anthony, Walt, and a new-to-the-area pilot who had connected with Walt. Apologies, don't know his name, they arrived when I was gearing up to fly.

Sharp, springlike, hard to core thermals. Notable cross out of the North (no surprise). Was unable to to snag a lift to the penthouse, only managed 1k over launch during about a 2 hour flight. But hey, still another launch and landing, much needed in this year of so few flights.

More details tomorrow, time to hit the tent!

[XCanytime]

Giovanni from Guatemala was the pilot. His cousin Ardenaldo drove for him and Walt. Bacil

[markc]

Finally, a few photos from Friday July 03!

A few site pics first, just as a reminder of how nice it is that we have this launch site.

Always great to be able to enjoy a nice sunset after a flying day.

Nearly-full moon above the ramps... "Clear!"

Valley view shortly after sunrise.

[markc]

I was first off, so I don't have many flying photos from the day.... But I did get a few of Giovanni's landing, enjoy!

(Ignore the bad orientation for three of the thumbnails : Click, and the actual image will be right-side-up)

[markc]

And on a final note, a bit of (self) launch critique....

Here we are, it's already frickin' July. And in ALL of 2020, I think I've had a grand total of 5 mtn flights: Two at WStock, and three at the Pulpit (one of those in early-March; then Sun June 28 and Fri July 03). Wow, some year eh?

Prior to those flights (and COVID-19), I hit the training hill at least three times in late-winter/early-spring. Bunch of flights, all sorts of conditions. So I'm like, "Hey, that's a lot of practice, yay for me!".

But the T-Hill ain't a mountain site.

And I realized on Friday that my launch was just..... *SO* un-aggressive. Not crazy-bad or anything. But enough that my wirecrew did comment that I didn't have much energy in the run. Really? What-The? Grrrr!

I was lucky, conditions were strong-ish, my feet left the ramp in just a couple steps. But even so, could/should have been much better.

So what went wrong? I think it was simply the fact that ramp launches are (for me) very distracting. There's a lot that you have to pay attention to: conditions within the slot; conditions on either side; conditions in the flats below; the wind velocity; controlling the glider when you pick up; input from the wire-crew; instructions to the wire-crew; finding that balance/sweet-spot.

All of that went pretty well, but... Once you decide to go... You really need to go! Have that target in your head, make sure that pitch is spot-on, and run like a mofo!

But I didn't put the energy into that launch that I should have. It just wasn't like what I would have done at Taylor or Smithsburg. So I think that there's a point when you have to 'disconnect' a little bit from the constant evaluation and analysis of conditions : When you reach the point of calling 'clear', your main focus has to be the run. You can't still be "lookin' around and worrying" at that point, you've now got just one job.

Anyway.... A few thoughts. If anyone from my wirecrew has some insights I'd like to hear 'em.

Cheers,

MarkC

[XCanytime]

And on a final note, a bit of (self) launch critique....


Anyway.... A few thoughts. If anyone from my wirecrew has some insights I'd like to hear 'em.

Cheers,

MarkC

Mark,
I have seen a few of your launches, and one thing does stand out (to me at least). When you clear and start your run, you are upright and not leaning thru the control frame. That, coupled with the fact that you have a very low wing loading, has resulted in the glider getting airborne quickly, but with a relatively small speed margin above stall. To make the margin larger, and thereby increase the safety factor, try leaning more forward and not letting the glider get airborne so quickly. Easier said than done, especially with demanding conditions on the launch ramp, but getting a few steps in (keep the nose down a little) and getting more energy into the launch (and hence, more airspeed/more margin above stall) is a more desired result. I wish you future safe launches. Bacil

[markc]

Thanks Bacil, and yeah, pretty much agree. Just not the same "go!" as I usually have at WStock/etc. Gotta do better at the Pulpit, if I'm not charging off the ramp next time, I will be PO'd