Opening 3/21 (finally!)

[aerosports]

We'll finally be open for normal flight operations starting next weekend (Saturday, March 21). As is usual this time of year, we'll be running Thursday through Monday and kick it up to seven days later in the season. We're looking forward to another season and celebrating ten years of operation.

On a side note. Registration for the ECC will open this Sunday! You will be able to find the registration page from http://www.aerosports.net

[RedBaron]

Yes, yes, YEEEEEESSSS. AWESOME!

Finally I don't have to risk my life anymore trying to land that boat in our lousy LZ's!!!!

[KirkLewis]

Awesome. Winter has been waaayyyy too long.

[mcelrah]

Hurray! We are damn lucky to have you guys! - Hugh

[markc]

Woohoo! I plan to be there early for opening day, looking forward to it!

MarkC

[lbunner]

A good day is shaping up at Highland. See you all out there.

[silverwings]

Surprised that no one had posted about the good day on 3/21. Flying started with Mark C showing that it was soarable around 12:30. I was maybe 3rd or 4th at 1:10 and had a weak link break at 700 but spotted a bird to the right just before the break and was able to find some lift there that I stayed with and got up. Some thermals were nice and some ratty but overall good flying though cool. Had to core sink to get down and ended with a 1:40 flight. Approximately 10 solo pilots and some tandems in light wind conditions. Maybe others will post about their flights.

[RedBaron]

I had a great time, too. Pinned off to go down in strong sink all the way to 700' over until I finally found an area that worked. I was repeatedly getting high so I decided the day was promising enough to go XC. Headed N into a slight headwind focusing on Mike Barber's teachings and Larry Bunner's advice to fly slowly and intuitively. Followed a good lift line all the way past Chestertown, I barely turned and never got lower than 4000'. Past the river conditions changed and I was battling a stiff NW breeze so I realized I wasn't gonna make the bay Turned back thinking I might stand a chance of making the airport but couldn't find anything so I landed next to a Royal Farms gas station. There I treated myself to a good meal and the latest gossip on celebrities while waiting for Carlos to come pick me up. 20+ miles, 3 hour flight, HG rules!

[carweill]

It was a great day! Good to see a lot of faces that came out from hibernation.
I had 2 regular flights and 2 patterns. I had a good time but also had a chance to pinpoint areas where I need improvement.

Carlos

[KirkLewis]

I had good flights as well. Saturday was going up to about 5k, Sunday wasn't as good but it was warmer with thermals going to about 3k. Latter on Sat a hot air ballon flew by within a 1/2 mile. I saw 2 bald eagles on Sunday that were flying together and thermaled with them for a bit. That's the first time I've seen them at highland it was pretty cool. Would of had a longer flight on Sunday but my cold was getting to me so I came down. Oh and my approaches were much better on Sunday but I'm still trying to get a good technique going with my transitions. Sunny suggested I start transitioning on my downwind leg so I think that's what I'll start doing. Sometimes the simple solutions escape me

[markc]

Been meaning to post about the Highland Aerosports opening of two weekends ago, finally
have a moment...

In summary it was an AWESOME day! The Highland Bubble was in full swing, the tandem was soaring,
and you had to drive away from lift if you wanted to get back on the ground, mid-afternoon.

I had the distinct pleasure of being the first tow of the 2009 season, and got to enjoy
a flight of about 1:20, topping out at 4980' MSL where it was a refreshing 28 degrees. A
bit rusty on tow (my plans for a few early pattern tows were nixed by the morning temps),
but Zack made all the difference in the world, he's the best drag-em-N-drop-em-driver
out there!

Hooked my first one at 1700 MSL and took it up to nearly 4k. And from there on it was
a lift-everywhere type of day, with climbs on the averager at 600+ fpm. Drift was variable,
sometimes out of the NE and sometimes out of the ESE. Got to enjoy thermalling with
John M for a while, and the sight of many pilots drilling up into the sky.

I had to hit the road that afternoon so I put it down around 3:00 or so. Of course, it was
lifting off big time when I landed (to the NW), and as a result my final was poorly organized
and too high. But I pulled it off by cheating toward the taxiway, landing on its verge.

A Rogues Gallery of some of the first-day pilots is attached below. Enjoy!

MarkC

[brianvh]

" I was repeatedly getting high so I decided the day was promising enough to go XC. Headed N into a slight headwind focusing on Mike Barber's teachings and Larry Bunner's advice to fly slowly and intuitively. "

Hey Janni;

which part of Mike Barber's teachings convinced you to fly upwind for an XC?

[RedBaron]

1) Feel the air and follow lines of lift and ground triggers until you run into a thermal.
2) Never fly 360's unless you know you're in a thermal that gives a net climb.
3) If you're in sink leave - NOW!

I've been going upwind on most of my recent XC attempts at Ridgely, mostly because it gives me more time to get a feel of the day and return to the airport if I'm about to sink out. Don't have the confidence yet and flying the Litespeed 10 miles on a downwind leg is SO embarrassing