Things are looking L&V on Sunday. The front might push through early on Saturday. Anyone thinking of a late day flight at Woodstock on Saturday. Sunset is at 5:19.
If things look good, we could get there by 2:30pm.
Matthew
Weekend Flyin'
Moderator: CHGPA BOD
What I see so far for Woodstock is a frontal passage
around 2-3:00pm, withnorthwest winds at 4:00pm
and clearing skies.
The surface 'cast is pretty light (10-15), but the winds
associated with the front are predicted to be pretty
strong aloft... So Woodstock seems like the best bet.
It will all depend on the timing; at the moment I'm
planning to arrive at 2:00pm. Give me a ring if anyone
wants to meet in the LZ and leave a vehicle.
Mark C.
mobile: 301-807-5414
around 2-3:00pm, withnorthwest winds at 4:00pm
and clearing skies.
The surface 'cast is pretty light (10-15), but the winds
associated with the front are predicted to be pretty
strong aloft... So Woodstock seems like the best bet.
It will all depend on the timing; at the moment I'm
planning to arrive at 2:00pm. Give me a ring if anyone
wants to meet in the LZ and leave a vehicle.
Mark C.
mobile: 301-807-5414
Bailing on WS
As of 9:45am, the main part of the front still hasn't reached VA/WV border, though a part is already tracking towards Richmond to the South. Looks like a couple of hours of rain and the post frontal forecast is gusts up to 35 this afternoon AND THIS EVENING!
So we're bailing on Woodstock today.
RATS!!!
Matthew
So we're bailing on Woodstock today.
RATS!!!
Matthew
Yeah, the front hasn't moved a whole lot in the last six hours.
But sometimes they get damned-up at the mtns, and then
push through pretty quickly.
I'm going to watch what happens over the next two hours,
and then hit the road around noon if it looks like things
are moving.
The gust factor will the the big question. They are in the
20's in OH at the moment, so maybe we won't be blown
out post-frontal.
Mark C.
mobile: 301-807-5414
But sometimes they get damned-up at the mtns, and then
push through pretty quickly.
I'm going to watch what happens over the next two hours,
and then hit the road around noon if it looks like things
are moving.
The gust factor will the the big question. They are in the
20's in OH at the moment, so maybe we won't be blown
out post-frontal.
Mark C.
mobile: 301-807-5414
fisher road
as mentioned before Fisher Road LZ is closed till 28jan2006. So the site is closed meanwhile
WX for Sun.
Well Guys and gals,
Current and forcasted winds, ( surface and at 3K )
appear to be out of the SE
surface < 5
3K ~ 20-25
Looks as if, we're on the boundry of the low pressure
out to the west , so the winds here look squirly.........
'Til then, M
Current and forcasted winds, ( surface and at 3K )
appear to be out of the SE
surface < 5
3K ~ 20-25
Looks as if, we're on the boundry of the low pressure
out to the west , so the winds here look squirly.........
'Til then, M
Mike Lee
How 'Bout That
How 'Bout That
Brief follow-up on Dan's report of Woodstock on Saturday....
The front started blowing through at about 3:00pm : that's
when I saw the first patches of blue sky upwind. Wicked
strong, but we set up anyway in the hopes that it would move
through quickly. Still strong at 4:00, and a few pilots started
breaking down. By 4:40, there were cycles as low as 10,
but with gusts still up to 23. I hemmed-and-hawed, watched
three of the light cycles and listened to the strong stuff in
between, then decided to give it a try. Took a light cycle and
burned out of the slot, aggressively bump-correcting for the
slightest lift of a wing. Once out and away, eased out and
started dealing with bar mitts, etc. Drifted a little backwards,
and that probably gave the wrong impression to those watching.
If so, sorry guys!
Pleasant 30 minute flight with a view of sunset. 1/2-VG on
my U2, with the bar at about chin level. Fairly strong winds,
but not ridiculous. To quote Shawn : "I had fun!"
Mark C.
PS: Reminder about strong condition slot launches : Your biggest
priority is to get your wing outta the slot and away from the
mountain. Stay focussed on that, no turns, no thoughts about
getting up, no zipping-up, nada. Once that job is complete, you
can settle in and evaluate the air and what you plan to do.
The front started blowing through at about 3:00pm : that's
when I saw the first patches of blue sky upwind. Wicked
strong, but we set up anyway in the hopes that it would move
through quickly. Still strong at 4:00, and a few pilots started
breaking down. By 4:40, there were cycles as low as 10,
but with gusts still up to 23. I hemmed-and-hawed, watched
three of the light cycles and listened to the strong stuff in
between, then decided to give it a try. Took a light cycle and
burned out of the slot, aggressively bump-correcting for the
slightest lift of a wing. Once out and away, eased out and
started dealing with bar mitts, etc. Drifted a little backwards,
and that probably gave the wrong impression to those watching.
If so, sorry guys!
Pleasant 30 minute flight with a view of sunset. 1/2-VG on
my U2, with the bar at about chin level. Fairly strong winds,
but not ridiculous. To quote Shawn : "I had fun!"
Mark C.
PS: Reminder about strong condition slot launches : Your biggest
priority is to get your wing outta the slot and away from the
mountain. Stay focussed on that, no turns, no thoughts about
getting up, no zipping-up, nada. Once that job is complete, you
can settle in and evaluate the air and what you plan to do.
Sunday Scootin' at BloomfieldField
We inaugurated a new scooter tow site today, on the property adjacent to Rich Bloomfield's.
Due to the contoured field and SSE winds, we were limited to approximately 800' of usable field, but with the steady headwind, we were often able to achieve altitudes above 300'. Rich and Shawn flew Rich's Falcon a few times, and Daniel took 14 flights on the PG, practicing 360's and spot landings. We completed 19 tows in about 4 hours. In true L&V conditions, or in due N or S winds, I think we could get about 1500 feet of line out at that field and achieve much higher flights.
After we wrapped up, Rich took us over to meet the property owners. We showed then some pictures of the equipment, talked about the tow process and thanked them for the use of their land.
As the sun sank lower, we drove to a nearby scenic overlook where conditions were ideal ... after watching all day, I could not resist the temptation to fly.
I had fun.
'Spark
Due to the contoured field and SSE winds, we were limited to approximately 800' of usable field, but with the steady headwind, we were often able to achieve altitudes above 300'. Rich and Shawn flew Rich's Falcon a few times, and Daniel took 14 flights on the PG, practicing 360's and spot landings. We completed 19 tows in about 4 hours. In true L&V conditions, or in due N or S winds, I think we could get about 1500 feet of line out at that field and achieve much higher flights.
After we wrapped up, Rich took us over to meet the property owners. We showed then some pictures of the equipment, talked about the tow process and thanked them for the use of their land.
As the sun sank lower, we drove to a nearby scenic overlook where conditions were ideal ... after watching all day, I could not resist the temptation to fly.
I had fun.
'Spark
scooter tow
Cool! A big hit!
One day a will come out and you tow me in a nice thermal...
One day a will come out and you tow me in a nice thermal...
-
bustedwing2
- Posts: 249
- Joined: Thu Jan 06, 2005 10:58 pm
- Location: McConnellsburg,Pa
-
hepcat1989
- Posts: 684
- Joined: Thu Jan 06, 2005 11:15 pm
I tried scooter towing for the first time yesterday with Sparky's unit.I enjoyed it very much. That's a pretty slick unit.Rich was nice enough to let me use his falcon 195 for a couple tows.I did let his glider get away from me on the ground though . It flipped on my watch,I wasn't tending it. (DOH)! Sorry Rich, no harm done. That system pulls you right up .
Daniel appeared to be having a good time as well. I had fun! Shawn.
Daniel appeared to be having a good time as well. I had fun! Shawn.
Scooter tow and releases
I do not sell release systems. For scooter towing, I recommend Steve Wendt's platform release system atbrianvh wrote:Sparky - will you have release systems to sell?
http://www.jdperk.com/bluesky/accessori ... owgear.htm
I have been using his release and similar three-string releases for both paragliding and hang gliding. I also own (and like) the 'split bridle' style 3-string release for paragliding.
For hang gliding, I have also used the traditional aerotow 'snapshackle' release with the 2:1 v-bridle. Steve Wendt can provide those too: http://www.jdperk.com/bluesky/accessori ... owgear.htm
Frankly, for scooter towing in our region, I know of no one better than Steve. Few, if any, could match Steve's many thousands of accident and incident-free tows. His flight park is vastly superior to the areas currently available to me. Unfortunately for me, it is a minimum three hour drive.
My system is intended primarily for use with paragliding students, but I would be willing to tow any willing local HG or PG pilots. I want to build experience and become a better operator and the only way to do that is to tow pilots. My first priority is safety, so I plan to move forward slowly.
My activities will be somewhat limited due to impending travel committments. I suspect I will be able to use the system more often after I have completed the clinic at Quest next month.
'Spark
Releases
For HG Scoter tow, I use Steve W's Release.
For PG tow (scooter and truck), I use two barrel secondary releases with a V bridle. I've cut holes in bright pink ping pong balls and fitted these balls over the barrels. Thus it's just a quick hand movement to grab one of my bright pink balls and have a safe and quick release. Ahhh! It feels so good to release. All of that pressure tugging on you is finally gone and your head is in the clouds.
:)
Matthew
PS Make sure you have a tow accelerator if you're PG needs it.
For PG tow (scooter and truck), I use two barrel secondary releases with a V bridle. I've cut holes in bright pink ping pong balls and fitted these balls over the barrels. Thus it's just a quick hand movement to grab one of my bright pink balls and have a safe and quick release. Ahhh! It feels so good to release. All of that pressure tugging on you is finally gone and your head is in the clouds.
:)
Matthew
PS Make sure you have a tow accelerator if you're PG needs it.
Weekend Flyin'
What is a "tow accelerator"? - Hugh
Tow Accelrator
Info on use of a tow accelerator should be in the manual for your glider. It connects to your speed system and basically equalizes pulling forces between the binier attachments of your risers and your speed system.
Some release systems include a tow accelerator.
If your glider needs a tow accelerator and you don't use one, the wing will drag behind you during tow and you can have a massive surge when releasing.
Matthew
Some release systems include a tow accelerator.
If your glider needs a tow accelerator and you don't use one, the wing will drag behind you during tow and you can have a massive surge when releasing.
Matthew
Re: Tow Accelrator
I don't have any experience with tow accelerators yet.Matthew wrote:Info on use of a tow accelerator should be in the manual for your glider. It connects to your speed system and basically equalizes pulling forces between the binier attachments of your risers and your speed system.
Some release systems include a tow accelerator.
If your glider needs a tow accelerator and you don't use one, the wing will drag behind you during tow and you can have a massive surge when releasing.
Matthew
There is a good discussion on PG towing at
http://www.pgforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=2859
In this thread, Stuart Caruk discusses their use (calling them 'tow assists').
http://stucaruk.mystarband.net/TowMeUp% ... idle1.html
http://stucaruk.mystarband.net/TowMeUp% ... afety.html
I plan to get one of these and evaluate it.
'Spark