Flytec Race and Rally - Day 4

The fourth leg of the rally was Americus Georgia to Eufaula Alabama.  The forecast for today originally predicted brisk northwest winds, but the morning forecast showed light and variable winds slowly becoming west-southwest.  The task committee chose a later-than-usual start since the task was shorter than the previous days and it took awhile for cumulus to form.

I was 3rd or 4th to launch behind Steve piloting the tow plan.  The ride was rowdy from the "get go".  I finally released around 900 feet (300 m) and immediately started climbing to base over the airfield.

Photo courtesy of Alex McCulloch

I soon noticed a glider with a broken keel laying on the ground just in front of the launch spot.  I saw people run to assist the pilot and became worried when the crowd didn't move the glider aside to resume towing.  This usually implies the pilot was hurt and this was the case.  Patrick and then Charlie got on the radio to let know that Julia had crashed and was hurt.  I watched the ambulance arrive as I glided away from the airfield in case a helicopter extraction was needed.  After awhile I was told to land and then told I could stay in the air if I wanted.  A few minutes later I was told to land immediately since the police wanted everyone on the ground before the medical helicopter arrived.

Mitch, Curt, me, and two other pilots did our best to chew down through 5000 feet (1500 m) of air.  The field was still active when we landed, but we all were on the ground and out of the way before the helicopter arrived.  (We found out later Julia was OK, aside from cuts and bruises).

The task committee hastily tried to salvage the day, but it was probably too late to pull off a task that would be fair to all the pilots.  Jamie finally cancelled the day and a few pilots decided to fly around the field.

Some pilots are fashion trend setters.

I parked my glider for the night near an abandoned crop duster.

Bill, Patrick, and I met a small group for dinner in Americus before returning to the airfield and our tents.

We plan to continue our journey tomorrow.

Flights: 1, Duration: 0:33

Flytec Race and Rally - Day 3

The third leg of the rally was from Moultrie Georgia to Souther Field in Americus Georgia.

It was a beautiful day to fly.  I escaped the heat on the ground early, took a leisurely climb to  the top floor and then spent about an hour floating around in the cool shade of the clouds.

I decided to try a new persona and race hard and fast.  I was impressed with my new-found aggressiveness until I botched my final glide into goal.  My flight computer said I had goal by almost 900 feet (275 m) a long way out.  I was doing great for the first 2/3 of the glide and then shifted a bit to the east and was pummeled with strong sink.  I soon found myself low within sight of goal, but too low to glide in.  I struggled with very weak lift as a dozen or more pilots flew by overhead.  Crap.  Make that "double crap"!

I eventually got high enough to make it in but suffered greatly in the scoring.  It was cool though landing at an historic airfield.  Souther Field, now the Jimmy Cater Regional Airport was, among many things, the place Lindbergh first soloed.  I camped at the foot of a statue commemorating that flight.

Flights: 1, Duration: 4:00, Distance: 74.6 miles

Flytec Race and Rally - Day 2

The second leg of the rally was from the Suwannee County Airport to the airfield at Moultrie, Georgia.

It was hot on the ground, but we managed anyway.

The sky filled with clouds but we initially had an 11 mph headwind.  It was tough getting out of the start circle.  Every time I looked down I was back over the airfield.

I grabbed a quick shot right at the start.

It was a fast racing day; I could barely fly fast enough to keep up.  Whew.

I made goal, along with half of the other pilots.  We parked our gliders in protected spots in preparation for today's flight.

After a lively dinner at a Mexican restaurant we crashed for the night.

You can read more about the rally at the Flytec Race and Rally blog.


Flights: 1, Duration: 4:37, Distance: 71.4 miles

Flytec Race and Rally - Day 1

Since time and internet access is limited, my posts might be delayed and almost certainly shorter than usual.

The drive from the Florida Ridge was an amazing drive through clouds of "love bugs".

We spent most of the afternoon after arriving at Quest Air power washing cars and trucks so our drivers could see out the windows!

The first leg of the rally was Quest to the airfield at Keystone Florida.  It was blue, the top of climb relatively low (3500 feet), and little or no wind to help cover the distance.  Pilots were reluctant to launch, especially after some of the early launchers landed.  However, we pushed on and managed to start covering ground.

I was doing well until I go low about 1/2 of the way there at the first turn point.  I struggle for 45 minutes before landing with Chris.  (I need to be careful picking in small LZs.  ;-)

My retrieve crew, headed by Mavis, arrived as I finished packing.

You can read more about the rally at the Flytec Race and Rally blog.

Flights: 1, Duration: 3:53, Distance: 52.4 miles

Rob Kells Memorial - Day 6, 7 - Shaded

The safety committee cancelled day 6 due to the wind.  Everyone quickly scattered after breaking down gliders.  I spent an exciting afternoon at the laundromat while others drove to Fort Myers.  The wind let up later in the afternoon and Randy went for a quick XC flight.  Allen, Jim, and I picked him up in his "small" LZ and then stopped for ice cream.

We snacked on a sample of the boar that Dave killed earlier and Jen and Louie dressed out.

We were concerned about the weather for the last day.  Rain and thunderstorms were forecasted for late afternoon so we launched early into the building sky.  The task was essentially an out-and-back to the northwest.   A low save near the field saved me from towing again and allowed me to be at the start circle for the first start.  We had a couple climbs but mostly smooth glides into a shaded sky.  I landed after rounding the far turn point with Jochen.  Davis, Tulio, Julia, Charlie, and Dustin eventually settled into the same spot.

Bill and Patrick showed up with the bug-mobile before the rain moved in.  Thanks!

The scores are available online.

Flights: 1, Duration: 1:23, Distance: 24.2 miles