Sun 08 Sept : High Rock also an option?

[markc]

Current forecasts indicate that conditions at High Rock on Sunday will be NW or NNW through 3:00pm . It's a bit iffy, because the 3k forecast is strong-ish early in the day, when the winds are supposed to be solid NW. Add the fact that most of us are *very* rusty on cliff launches, and the uncertainty in the timing and strength of the front that's supposed to go through on Sunday.....

But even so! It would be pretty cool if we could fly The Rock just after the recent repairs, and get some wings in the air at our most historic flying site.

Anyone considering it?

MarkC

[mcgowantk]

I couldn't get out during the week but can fly on Sunday. I will want to fly somewhere. I will watch the forecast with interest!

Tom McGowan

[XCanytime]

The wind direction forecast for Sunday is quite unique. You could launch at the Pulpit before 12 noon and run the ridge to the right as it curves in sync with the wind clocking around to NNW by the mid-afternoon. If you time it right, the winds will be perpendicular to the ridge at all times as you traverse up the ridge towards the Raven's Haven site near the end of Tuscarora Mountain. Now that's a task. Or you can fly High Rock in sync with the NW window from noon on for a few hours. The winds are supposed to be due N by 4P at Hagerstown. Or you can fly the SAC between 2 and 3P anticipating the due N winds predicted at 4P til sunset in Harrisburg. Bacil

[Danny Brotto]

I’m in Italy for a few days (so won’t be flying the Mid-Atlantic sites) but with a few minutes of down time, I decided to check the home forecast. From the Hagerstown forecast, it looks like the Sac will be to place to be with a rather brisk north wind (which the Sac tends to attenuate anyway.) But then I checked the local forecast for the Sac and it does not look good with light SW winds? Even Thompsontown is showing that same general trend as the Sac and even shows for a chance of rain midafternoon?

Dr. Jack’s looks all broken up too?

What gives? Looks like the low in New England is spinning in moisture which is keeping the forecast a bit unsettled. That night be the reason for the questionable forecast to the east of Hagerstown. The east will show more of the influence from the low. The Hagerstown forecast is clearly depicting the frontal passage but the eastern areas are still a delayed. Do see that gusts are expected with the frontal passage in the area mid-afternoon so you might keep that in mind if you launch prefrontal. If the front does go through the Sac, it could be spectacular with interesting clouds but it looks to be late if at all. Oh course things can and will likely change overnight. Will be good to get reports from the Hagerstown area sites and the Sac! Good luck for good (safe) flights!

Danny Brotto

[XCanytime]

Danny sounds like the webpage you visited was not updated and you may have been seeing today's forecast for the SAC area disguised as tomorrow's. I've seen that many times with weather.com. Bacil

[markc]

It's looking like the NW winds won't last much beyond 1pm at High Rock, but I'm still motivated to give it a go if there's enough pilot interest. I mean come on, when's the last time we flew there????

The Sac is looking good but I just don't think I've got that long drive in me on a Sunday (from Highland to boot).....

MarkC

[FlyingFelix]

I'm interested in going. Will make a decision in the AM.
Any other pilots interested in flying the newly refortified High Rock?

[markc]

Yeah! Let's give it a try! Who else is in? Tom? DaveB? Kelvin? Kurt? Would be fun to dive off the cube again!

MarkC

[markc]

I dunno Felix, I think we need at least three firm for the Rock. Still have hopes that we'll hear from more pilots!

MarkC

[bowen.tim]

I am game, but I need an observer. I last flew HR back in April. One way or another, I would like to get some air time in either here or Ridgely. I would prefer HR since it's 45 minutes from my house.

[DanTuck]

I think I'll go ahead on out to High Rock if you guys want to give it a try.
Could be a decent day.

[markc]

On the road from Highland....

[FlyingFelix]

There we go, that's 4 of us! Any other takers? Should be nice at HR today
My ETA is around 11AM

[bowen.tim]

I just called 800-wx-brief and P-40 is NOT expanded...the Prez must have more pressing issues than spending his time at Camp David this weekend!

[mcgowantk]

Era 10:30. Tom mcGowan

[FlyingFelix]

Great weekend flying after more than a month off.
Started off yesterday at Highland, got 2 after-noon flights in (a great hour-long flight and an extended sledder) - then took 3 more flights in the evening to get acquainted with my new (to me) harness, a super-nice Rotor Vulto, thank you Hank, it's super-comfy and fells awesome.
Today at High-Rock was a weird day - looked amazing at times but up in the air was a different story...Got to see 2 magical low saves by Tom out in the valley, South of the LZ after we all thought he surely was going to land - that was inspiring!. I got a lucky 36 minute flight, topped out at about 2350 MSL after one thermal to the left of launch then bounced around a bit, chased a couple of Hawks, much fun. Thank you to my wire-crew!
Awesome day, lots of people and pilots - thanks Mark for pulling all those pilots out today!