Flytec - Day 4

Today was a day of unusual clouds. Although the low-levels of the atmosphere were mostly stable, the mid-levels were unstable and active. This produced a lot of unusual cloud patterns that changed from hour to hour.

The 72k (45 mile) task was to a small airstrip to the northeast and then to field to the north northeast. Kevin took a test flight and reported abundant light lift so the tugs started rolling on time. I had a sweet tow behind Jim to a climb and slowly climbed to 5000 feet over the field. A few of us headed to the start circle and didn't find much. We were still wallowing around when the next gaggle joined in a bit higher. I didn't have much altitude but flew back upwind to snag the 2nd start clock and returned to the gaggle.

It was then that I made the biggest mistake of my short flight. I was ready to go and instead of continuing the climb I joined a couple other pilots on a glide along course line. I faded furthest east but the glider furthest west found the next climb. By the time I got to the climb I was below the rest of the forming gaggle, including the gliders that let us take the risk leading out. I never really found the climb and had to move on low. I connected with a couple little climbs but was never "in the race" with everyone else. Jack, I and another pilot found a bumpy climb short of the first turn point that was drifting off course line and over a lake. I thought that climb might be our ticket out, but it just gave me enough height to cross the lake and make minimal progress until I had to turn down wind further off course to find an LZ. Four other gliders that glided directly across the lake higher landed in the same field in a light rain about 3 miles short of the first turn point.

Mark and Dave picked me up shortly after I finished packing. We drove on to pick up Derek who landed with Kevin and Jim about 10 miles short of goal.

Once again I had problems flying effectively in the large gaggles. I had trouble climbing when everyone else was turning in large circles that prevented me from centering in the small bubbles. Even so, the single decision to fade east on a single glide probably did me in for the day. Many pilots made goal and I'm sure I dropped a lot of places in the standings. Still, it was an interesting flight and one I would have not tried if free-flying.

Rain fell last evening as we enjoyed a very good female singer with an acoustic guitar and free-flowing blueberry beer. I slept well if not long.