First, a round of applause for area 9 pilot Larry Bunner for winning the Rigid class yesterday!!
Today was another really crappy day totally out of character for central FL in April. Very light lift and strong SW winds were the order of the day with launch times coming and going and all of us standing around waiting and looking at the high level clouds blocking all the sun light. Three Rigids finally launched and were rewarded with zero sink at about 1,000'. Finally the sky looked like it might open up a bit and people started to line up for launch. I figured that if the sun got through it would still take a while for the ground to heat and continued to wait and eventually lanched near the end. I managed a climb to about 3500' and waited with about 15 others for the final start time near the edge of the start circle. By start time we had drifted over the line and had to dive up wind to get the start circle and lost 500' doing it. This was a crucial mistake because speed means nothing if you don't make goal but at the time I was strating to believe we might just make it.
Several of us flew along course line and climbed together to about 3200' where the lift died and we went on glide again. I was fading to the left and when I found what I thought was workable lift I turned and wasted a bit of time trying to core something that was not workable. When I gave up and continued on, I found myself low and late to the next area of lift and they had pulled up the ladder. I dribleled along for a couple more miles and finally had to land just 28 K's down the course line. Actually, I don't think any one else in my group did much better. Paris Williams had been with us and landed very near me.
I think there was a small window of opportunity a few minute before I launched that might have worked but I don't know how you time something like that. I'm sure some pilots made goal but I haven't heard yet. Some of these top pilots have unbelievable skills. I have no idea how they stay aloft and make goal in such lousy conditions but they do it consistantly. It seems like magic to me!!!!
Paul
P. S. I'm sure Davis will have more info later. It was another tough day for him today. I feel good about doing better than him not because I wish him any ill will but because he's actually a damn good pilot and if he bombs out then I can excuse myself for not having a great day either.
Flytec Day 4
Moderator: CHGPA BOD
Flytec Day 4
As Paul stated the sky did not look very good. Every so often it would open up however the sky looked dead. Even though others launched and were maintaining I chose to stay on the ground as I was not sure we would have a task. I changed my mind when reports came from above that they were getting over 3000'. I suited up and launched right at the start time (bad start). Today was a day of luck and it was with me as I thermaled to 3500' right off of tow. I headed to the NE flying from gaggle to gaggle maintaining above 3000'. Ahead there was a large spiral death gaggle with over 30 gliders in it and not going up. I spotted two gliders to the east and flew to them. I was rewarded with a good climb just short of 5000' and went on glide to the TP where I spotted a fire on the north end of the runway. Again I was able to climb out and eventually get over 4000'. One more thermal a mile away and I was on final glide from almost 20 miles out. There was good push from the west and mild sink as I flew through some virga on the way to goal. I had goal with 1500' (should have pushed harder) to spare and ended up second behind Jaques Bott from France. WoooHooo!
Bun