Mount Equinox

I spent last Saturday helping build a new deck on the ramp at Mount Equinox in southwest Vermont.  Jeff C and I left my place around 6:00 AM so we could be at the gate at 9:00 to meet Mike, Linda, and John S.  We drove into the clouds on the way up and wouldn't see the sun until noon.

Other pilots continued to arrive as we carried supplies into launch.  Since John had the master plan in his mind we just followed his instructions, but only after giving him good-natured grief about his innate need for perfection.

The new composite surface should survive the rugged mountain weather.  I know it will take a lot of wind to pull the 2400 screws we used to anchor the deck to the frame.

Photo by Linda

Although we didn't finish the deck until late afternoon, we talked about christening the new ramp with an evening flight if the katabatic winds were not too bad.  (The ramp is on the east side of the mountain, so it is shaded in the evening).  John A, the new site director, decided to fly.  Greg H and I helped him rig before the incoming breeze on launch started to blown down instead.  John had a good launch, momentarily got above launch, and then started the long glide out to the LZ.

I'm looking forward to my first launch from the new decking.

Flights: 0, Decks: 1