Life in Tennessee

Flying Lobster · Post by **Flying Lobster** » Wed Jan 24, 2007 8:19 pm

Still getting settled into the new home here in Chattanooga. My home is 11 miles from Lookout launch--I'm finding that life changes for the better when you live that close to a great flying site!

Having some rather frustrating problems in settling into the home--but have managed to break away for 3 nice soaring flights in the last 6 days--each one on a different wing: Talon, Lambada (paraglider) and today on my sweet totally awesome Falcon 3 (which I firmly believe clearly outperforms all previous models of Falcons).

The folks are great here and very helpful. I like the Lookout operation alot and they have really high quality people working for them. The only "negative" that I can think of is that the LZ is a little too close to some pretty big foothills which can rock your world unexpectedly if there's any kind of strength to NW winds. On my very first flight I did the classic ridge run to the north point--and looking over the back I could see my house on what looked like an easy 3:1 glide--but through Love field's class C. Talk about sweet temptation.

marc

Flying Lobster · Post by **Flying Lobster** » Fri Jan 26, 2007 7:28 pm

Had another nice paraglider flight up on Lookout today--that's 4 out of the last 7 days I've soared there. A great group of folks and scene in the LZ--major danger of becoming habit-forming. I've talked to Matt Tabor about modifying the "bandit" launch (just down from the main ramp launch) into a paraglider launch and hopefully we'll be able to get to work on it soon.

marc

jimrooney · Post by **jimrooney** » Sat Jan 27, 2007 3:07 pm

Glad Lookout's working out for you.
Too bad about the Class C!

Jim

bigkreek · Post by **bigkreek** » Sat Jan 27, 2007 3:27 pm

Newb question............what's a "class C"? I assume that it has to do with air traffic?

Flying Lobster · Post by **Flying Lobster** » Sat Jan 27, 2007 7:25 pm

Sorry--I should have been more specific--class C airspace.

BTW--soared again today--though it was SW cross on the ridge and the ride on the Falcon wasn't exactly fun so I planted it in the LZ after only 20 minutes.

marc

Lauren Tjaden · Post by **Lauren Tjaden** » Sun Jan 28, 2007 5:52 pm

I'm glad you're having so much fun, Marc!
Lauren

Post by **brianvh** » Mon Jan 29, 2007 5:44 pm

bigkreek wrote:Newb question............what's a "class C"? I assume that it has to do with air traffic?

Some quick mnemonics (need one for remembering how to spell "mnemonics, if I even have that right):

Class A: Above 18,000 feet MSL. We ain't allowed up there and why would you want to be? Friggin' cold and no O2 to speak of.

Classes B-D: Big to Dinky Towered airports (from largest to smallest). Stay out. We are allowed in untowered airports, but it's polite to discuss their feelings about us slowboats mucking up their approaches before landing on their airstrip.

Class G: Ground level to 700 or 1200 feet, depending on how close you are to a towered airport. Practically anything goes. I think if you have a kite on a string it can't legally go above this height. You can come close to clouds but not in them...this is what makes so called 'cloud dives' possible.

Class E: Environment we spend most of flying time, from the top of class G (700-1200 AGL) to the bottom of class A (18,000 MSL). We have a special exemption from the FAA to fly here, so you'd better behave yourself.

Flying Lobster · Post by **Flying Lobster** » Tue Jan 30, 2007 7:59 am

Special exemption to fly Class E? Which one is that?

As far as I know, the only special behavior you need to be aware of is to not wander into IFR operations--which is technically illegal for any 103 ultralight to be operating in IFR conditions in any class airspace anyway.

marc

Flying Lobster · Post by **Flying Lobster** » Tue Jan 30, 2007 8:06 am

Lauren Tjaden wrote:I'm glad you're having so much fun, Marc!
Lauren

Thank you sweetie! You and Paul should come up and visit some time if you ever get tired of flying over the same boring swampy flatlands!

marc

jimrooney · Post by **jimrooney** » Wed Jan 31, 2007 2:28 pm

I think the "special exemption" he's referring to IS Part 103.
Maybe he's got the two place training exemption confused with the ultralight regulation?
Either way, just play nice with the other kids eh?

Flying Lobster · Post by **Flying Lobster** » Wed Jan 31, 2007 3:44 pm

jimrooney wrote:I think the "special exemption" he's referring to IS Part 103.
Maybe he's got the two place training exemption confused with the ultralight regulation?
Either way, just play nice with the other kids eh?

Aren't you 'sposed to be back at the front lines trying to bait some poor sot over PG loops? hah hah.

marc

Flying Lobster · Post by **Flying Lobster** » Thu Feb 08, 2007 5:53 am

Flew again at Lookout yesterday--a delightful dance in gentle thermals for over two hours of pure fun on my Falcon 3 170. That's ten soaring flights in the past three weeks--and the locals say winter flying sucks compared to spring and summer.

This place is really getting addictive. The scene here is one of the best I've seen anywhere. Many pilots line the rim and LZ as homeowners. Landing in the LZ someone is almost always going to show up and offer you a ride back to launch. Can't wait for the XC season--huge ridge systems go north and south.

marc

Flying Lobster · Post by **Flying Lobster** » Thu Feb 08, 2007 7:06 am

Flying Lobster wrote:Flew again at Lookout yesterday--a delightful dance in gentle thermals for over two hours of pure fun on my Falcon 3 170. That's ten soaring flights in the past three weeks--and the locals say winter flying sucks compared to spring and summer.

This place is really getting addictive. The scene here is one of the best I've seen anywhere. Many pilots line the rim and LZ as homeowners. Landing in the LZ someone is almost always going to show up and offer you a ride back to launch. Can't wait for the XC season--huge ridge systems go north and south.

marc

Checking my Compeo reveals that I lied--it's only been 8 soaring flights in the last three weeks. Damn vario.

marc