Marcel and I arrived on launch at 1:15PM. Marcel just got his permit so this is his maiden flight. Also his first Nova Mamboo flight in the US.
Good thermalling but at 2PM the wind switched south (was SW). Still flyable but some rotor from the left. We got +1000 feet over and I pinched 5m/s. I clocked 2h and MArcel could not get enough and did almost 3h. We landed around 4PM because it got weaker.
Few people in the park and sun was always behind high Sirrus. But Dickies again worked well. I'm looking forward to go 'over the back' with a S-SW avoiding TFR DC. The flatlands of Maryland/Pennsylvania are waiting for us!
The pic features Marcel with his Mamboo
Thanks Tom, for the post and the pictures, as well as for luring me out today! As a new permit holder, Dickeys did everything to make me love it.
I just checked my flight instruments: airtime 3hrs, best height was 1500ft over launch and strongest integrated lift 4.8m/s (960fpm). And this on a semi-overcast day in January, I cannot believe it. How is it going to rock there in a couple of weeks?
I started the flight with a dicier launch than I liked but I immediately knew why - I took off directly into a thermal of the stronger kind. After launch, I went 200ft straight up like a rocket. The conditions were fairly strong today, bumpy, strong lift, at times also strong wind (mostly thermal induced), notable drift in the thermals, just some ratty air in places. Certainly the most demanding conditions I've ever experienced on the east coast (maybe it was the new wing... just kidding, don't seriously think so). However, still easily doable and very much enjoyable.
I had a lot of fun, and tried to get some local waypoints. First, I got the first overlook to the south, went back to one north of launch. Second, I even got to the second overlook to the south (logical, isn't it?) and again all the way back to the north overlook.
I'm very happy with the Mamboo. Tom and his Avax are an excellent basis of comparison, I've flown with him so frequently when I was still on my P26. I certainly didn't often do so good in keeping up with him as today. Feedback, handling in thermals, min sink and also the glide are very clearly better on the Mamboo, compared to the P26. Also, I repeatedly went on full speedbar (block to block) on my trips south. Again, that's a big difference. The Mamboo goes 5km/h faster than the P26, surprisingly still has less sink at that speed and also feels a lot more stable.
Sorry, I don't have any further pictures. My camera didn't work, I think it's broken. Bummer!
I am a very new P2 (only two high flights from Pulpit some 10 months
ago - scooter-towed to 300 feet on Monday) and have never been to
Dickie's - even with a hang glider. Is this at all a site/conditions
I should consider at this stage, are you an observer, and are you
willing? - Hugh
Matthew wrote:So do either of you ever actually work????
Yes, right now. Or better, after I finish playing with the internet
mcelrah wrote:I am a very new P2 (only two high flights from Pulpit some 10 months ago - scooter-towed to 300 feet on Monday) and have never been to Dickie's - even with a hang glider. Is this at all a site/conditions I should consider at this stage, are you an observer, and are you willing?
Hugh - you need at least a P3 to fly Dickeys and a special permit from the NPS. There is no observer rule there, but anyhow, neither Tom nor I are observers. Also, the launch is fairly tricky. Trees on both sides and behind, and a 15ft drop off right in front of launch. After you've laid out your glider, the drop off is only about 12ft away. You need good launch technique there, it's not forgiving at all.
But most importantly, and that's something I had forgot yesterday, you need to be at least L4 to fly Dickeys. This means, advanced skill in dealing with Llamas. The farmers at the LZ have one, and it's pretty aggressive and intimidating. You'd better take a long stick to keep it away from you. Yesterday, Tom graciously saved his ass and got shelter in the car, while the bastard cut off my escape route and I had to deal with it!
