Even the Buzzards Were Walking

I really needed to get away for a day, but it was still a tough decision to go flying this morning. The winds were forecasted to be totally calm, the lift was forecasted to be exceptionally weak to non-existent, and the first satellite image of the day showed cirrus covering most of New England. Did I really want to drive 5 hours for a sled ride? I guess so.

I was driving into Keene when I noticed that even the buzzards were walking. Not a good sign! Pete posted earlier that he was planning to be at the base of Mount Ascutney at 11, so I stopped by to say hello. I wasn’t going to hike into Ascutney for a sled ride so after waiting 20 minutes with no sign of pilots I headed to Morningside. The training hills at Morningside were covered with Falcons. I forgot how light wind days are desirable for training.

I was about to leave when Scott decided to drag his glider across the road for a quick tow. There were a couple wispy cummies around, but nothing that indicated it would be soarable. Rhett gave Scott the first-rate tour of the area and finally dropped him off across the river towards Springfield. Scott started turning and soon reported a 400 fpm climb. That was enough to get Dave D and I enthused for a flight. Meanwhile Pete showed up after hiking out to the launch at Ascutney without his glider and deciding it wasn’t worth the effort. Pete caught the contagion and also setup his glider.

Scott topped out the climb and headed back towards Morningside. He spent some time in a weak climb but soon was landing in light and variable winds. Meanwhile Dave launched into a tailwind and about belly landed shortly after launch. Dave got off after a high tow and was about to land when I launched.

Rhett and I ran into some light but widespread lift over the factories, so I pinned off and started a slow climb. After some snooping around I found a good 350fpm climb to over 5000 feet. Instead of moving on to something else, I tried to stay on the top of the thermal. Since there were no clouds, I could climb to the very top where the air slides off to all sides. It was fun playing around and trying to “balance on the top of the ball”.

I eventually tired of that game and tried to see what else might be working. The hottest looking spot, besides the metal roofs of the factories, was the Claremont airport. I went on a long smooth glide to the airport. I began to wonder if I made a bad choice, but I finally started hitting some turbulence and then another good climb back to 5800 feet. I continued moving around looking for “hot spots”. A couple of large parking lots provided some more climbs before I headed back towards Morningside to fly with Pete.

Pete had found a diffuse thermal that wandered all over the place. We climbed together for awhile before the little thermal died of exhaustion. I made a long glide over towards the river and the quarry, but I didn’t find anything this time. I did find a few reasonable bumps back of Morningside, but finally was forced to land. Pete landed just a minute after I did.
It wasn’t an epic flight by any measure, but it was fun to be in the air and somehow satisfying to squeeze 1.5 hours of flight from a stable day.

I had my first instruction flight with Rhett on the Dragonfly this evening. It became immediately apparent that it will take some time for me to get the feet and hands working together so I can coordinate my turns. I am really looking forward to my next lesson.

Ready, Set, Stop

Today was the last day for the 2005 Big Spring Open. I didn’t think we would fly today until I saw a decent clearing line form upwind to the south of us. For a short time I thought we might have a fun day of flying. However, 40 minutes later towering cumulus clouds formed wherever the sun hit the ground. I watched the same thing happen to the southwest when some sun finally appeared there.

The task committee did the best they could and called a short barbeque task to Lamesa so we could be back in time for the awards ceremony and party this evening. Some pilots, such as Larry, simply packed up their gliders and left. Some, such as Dave and Ron left their gliders in the bag waiting to see what else develops. The rest of the pilots, me included, started preparing for another comp day, but in slow motion. Some pilots would scold anyone that appeared to be moving their glider towards the staging area. Everyone knew that if anyone started walking down the runway to stage, everyone else would be forced to follow suit. After much delay Davis started down the runway and soon after the stampede started.

The sky eventually cleared overhead and the rigid wings, after a delay, took to the sky. We flex wing pilots stood around and watched them struggle to stay in the air. We also watched the wind mills to the southeast stop turning, small cummies form overhead, and big cummies explode to the south and southeast. Once again anyone making a move for their glider was greeted with “don’t do it!” from the other pilots. However, once a couple of rigid wing pilots started climbing instead of maintaining, a launch line quickly formed and the game begun.

I knew we would have a small window of opportunity between stable and explosive, so I tried to carefully pick my place in line. I forgot that the top 10 ranked pilots could move into line at will. I think all 10 stepped in between me and the front of the line. I was afraid I was going to be too late. As I lay in my harness looking at the quickly building clouds I noticed that the wind mills were now spinning rapidly. Um, that is odd. I then realized that the outflow from one of the towering clouds was heading our way. I started passing the word up and down the line. The launch was put on hold while Dave checked with the tug pilots. The tug pilots reported a wind shift above and it became more and more apparent that foul air was heading our way. Several pilots in front of me stepped out of line and started heading to the hanger with the carts! I pulled out and pulled a little forward, but stayed close to the launch line. A few minutes later, Dave cancelled the day. Michael, who decided early to skip the day, walked with me as I quickly rolled back to the hanger.

I was lucky to have the cart and a good protected spot to break down. Some other pilots had to struggle with their gliders and were breaking down outside when the gust front and rain hit. Luckily, most pilots had their gliders behind the hanger or partially disassembled before it got ugly. Meanwhile, the few pilots in the air were trying their best to get down. I heard that most of the pilots were back on the ground before the gust front arrived. Dustin, however, wasn’t so lucky. He said he noticed the wind pick up on the surface and decided to skip the washing-machine landing and decided to out run the front. He found a good 700fpm climb and then started heading away. He said clouds were forming below and slightly in front of him as he was running. He finally ended up with a good landing at the intended goal in Lamesa. Kevin dashed out with Rob’s truck and brought him back just in time for the dinner.

We had the awards ceremony in someone’s backyard at the edge of town. Once it again it shows how welcoming the people in Big Spring are. Would you open your home and host a party for a large group of strangers? That is exactly what this couple did! I wish I could remember their names. They provided us with snacks and sandwiches, drinks, a live band, and a nice cushy yard. Thank-you!

We had the typically informal awards presentation followed by more music and dancing. One pilot even wrote and sang a song about the competition that had everyone laughing and singing along. I said goodbye to as many of my friends as I could before heading to the truck with Linda and Mark for our leisurely 32 hour non-stop drive home.

Drifting Away

The day started off with Kevin blowing a loop and safely coming down under two parachutes. Needless to say everyone was relieved to hear he was ok. Maybe Kevin will write up something on his blog.

It was breezy today. Bobbie parked the tug at 2000 feet which confirmed that the early morning clouds were indeed screaming by from the south. Some pilots openly wondered if the day would be cancelled, but I was hoping we would get a task. I got my wish at the pilots meeting, a 127 mile downwind shot to an airport near Littlefield. It was windy enough that moving the gliders onto and off of the carts was difficult for some. I didn’t have any problem floating my glider onto the cart and then turning it around for a “wind cart” ride to the staging area to the north.

Since the wind was blowing, we knew that launch time was probably close to start time. I moved into the launch line behind Mike and in front of Bubba. I had a scary moment when my upwind wing lifted off the cart just as the tug powered up. I held onto the cart, but the cart started rolling off to the right. I was momentarily stuck to the cart and then managed to lift off. By then the tug was far to the left, so I tried to correct without entering a dangerous lockout. I manage to shot back to the left behind the tug just as the tug was hit with something the sent it skyward. I pushed out with everything I had and finally got in position behind the tug. The rest of the tow was reasonably smooth and uneventful. The air was also pleasant. It was like flying in Florida.

I immediately found a climb after releasing and was soon at cloud base. I could have taken the first start time, but decided to fly back upwind. Several pilots were around for the second start time and several of us did a “fake” start before turning around and flying 6 miles upwind to the airport. Finally a good group formed (Mike, Andreas, Carl, and another pilot) and we took the third start time.

We moved under the moist clouds darting left and right trying to find lifting air while still gliding at 65 mph over the ground. I got behind the two lead gliders only to pass them up on the next climb. I headed northwest on course line, but the others pilots took a more northerly course. After topping out I headed northeast to rejoin the group. I caught Carl but missed the rest. Carl and I continued heading north under a nice line of clouds rarely turning. I kept trying to move west towards the course line, but Carl would continually move away from course line to the east. I thought it would be better to have a partner looking for lift, so I kept close enough to take any climb he found. We had a couple low climb outs, but each climb took us further off course line. I should have ditched Carl and gone west to a nice looking line of clouds as we approached Lubbock. Instead Carl and I plowed into an area with dying clouds. We tried to work some lift at 100 to 200 feet off the deck as we zoomed across the cotton fields. I thought we might actually pull it off, but we were soon turning into the wind and landing together.

It turned out that Carl couldn’t get his GPS to work correctly and didn’t even know where the course line was! Carl said he would have followed me if I made a hard turn to the west. What I interpreted as a desire to go east of the course line was his idea the lift was better on the east side of the clouds. Sigh, I haven't made such a needless mistake in a long time.

It was tough being on the ground with such wonderful looking streets and convergence lines setting up to the west. I pointed out one line to Carl and said that if anyone got into that line, they would have an awesome joy ride. I later found out that Bubba was on that line and flew at least 20 miles along it with almost no turns. Julie and Dave, who landed a few miles north of Big Spring, showed up just as we finished packing the gliders in the middle of the road. Carl join us and we headed back to Big Spring with a brief stop at the Dairy Queen in Lamesa.

I had hoped to do well today and maybe move into the top ten. I can forget that now. Bubba said 6 or 7 pilots made goal and many others were scattered about on the way to goal. I thought I would have done better in this meet but now realize I still have a lot to learn, especially about when to trust my own judgment and when to follow the group. Oh, I forgot to mention in my last entry that Dave’s flight yesterday was his longest flight to date. Congratulations Dave. Today I managed 37 mph for the 77 miles I completed, which is probably my fastest average speed on course so far. (The leaders yesterday were going at 40 mph).

Town and Country

It’s late, I am dirty and tired, but I am happy. I made goal after a truly enjoyable 88.7 mile flight that featured high cloud bases, lift up to 1000 fpm on the 30 second averager, and a dose of light air tip-toeing at the end. Many pilots made goal and a couple were very close.

It was mostly clear this morning with some high cirrus floating around and a few storm clouds far to the west. Gary predicted higher cloud bases, stronger wind from the south, and stronger lift except to the far north. Davis presented the 88.7 mile down wind task to the Town & Country Airport near Lubbock. I flew that route last year so I knew the way there.

Everyone was ready to go at the scheduled time, but there were no signs of lift and a good breeze that would make staying in the start circle difficult. The task committee pushed all the times back 30 minutes, which gave Dave and I some time to relax under our gliders. After the 30 minutes went by, the rigid wings took the still blue skies and slowly climbed and drifted away. None of us flex wing pilots were inspired to fly after watching the rigid wings so everyone just stood around waiting for a sign from above. The sign finally appeared as several cummies forming over the town and the airport. Since I was near the end of the staging line, I suited up and joined Robin, Dustin, and a few others and raced to the launch line. Our action was enough to start the stampede but I was lucky enough to be one of the first 10 to launch. Whereas a few minutes before the sky looked barren, Neil pulled me through several light thermals on the way up.

It was too late to take the first start time but I was in a good position to take the second start time. I left with several pilots but turned around when it become obvious no one really intended to go. Nice fake job guys! I didn’t have any problem getting back to the start circle and even back to the airport. The day was really turning on. When the next start time rolled around, most of the field was bobbing around at cloud base at the start line. This time most of us actually left.

I took a bad line and came in below about half of the pilots at the first climb. We immediately got squeezed off when the lift quickly slowed down. Remembering my pledge to “just make goal” I stayed right where I was and climbed back up. Meanwhile Dave took a risky long glide that paid off with a 500 fpm climb that put him at least one thermal ahead of me. Dave remained in front of me for the next half of the flight.

Once I climbed back up I just did the classic “climb and glide” routine. There is a scenic gorge area along the course that was just cracking today. I had several climbs that topped 1000 fpm and still remained so smooth that I was thermalling with one hand and taking a drink of water. I finally caught up with Dave at the northern edge of the gorge area and then pressed on into the crop land on the plateau. After a couple good climbs we entered an area of weak climbs and little clouds. This time I quickly slowed down and remained high as many pilots were now sharing the weak and precious climbs. I moved through the area without many worries, but did give up a lot of time by being cautious. I went of final glide from 12.5 miles out with 1500 feet above best glide. The numbers dropped to 300 feet about 5 miles out, but got better again when I cruised through some lift over a quarry just south of the airport. I arrived at the airport with 300 feet and landed without flaring into a good southerly breeze. I continued to keep the glider flying by jogging right over to the breakdown area. Sweet.

Since so many pilots made goal before me, I probably didn’t do any better point-wise than I did yesterday. However, it is satisfying to be at goal even if everyone else is also there. Julie and I were rooting for Dave when he radioed that he had goal by 500 feet above best glide. However, Dave landed 1.5 miles short next to the quarry I flew over a short time earlier. Mark F made goal with style, maybe even beating my time. Linda gave it her all when she kept flying until she was on the ground 0.55 miles short of goal. Bummer.

The local forecast is calling for a similar forecast tomorrow. I hope it is as fun as it was today.

When trying hard just isn't enough

I awoke to a pleasant morning with mostly clear skies. A local church made us burritos and orange juice for breakfast at the airport. Some pilots started moving gliders to the north end of the runway even before the pilots meeting since we would probably launch there again today. I found out during the meeting that, as a member of the protest committee, I would be dealing with an official protest. I suspect the committee will meet tomorrow morning to decide how to handle the protest.

Our task was a triangle to the west northwest, then north, and then back to the airport. With an east southeast wind, the last long leg would be upwind and difficult. I launched early after Bo and Mike. I had some trouble getting out of the cart, a first for me. Bobby dumped me off almost at cloud base which was 2500 feet. I made an exploratory glide upwind to the southeast, found nothing, and almost decked it on the return trip. I found a weak climb and was soon at cloud base with an ever increasing number of pilots. Soon the entire start circle was filled with pilots floating about at cloud base waiting for the start gate to open. The sky over the airport was void of clouds, so everyone was hanging out on the edge of a large cloud to the northwest. Johnny did his usual “I’m bored” loop to burn off altitude. Given the long upwind leg at the end, I decided to take the first start gate with many other pilots.

The first couple of climbs were good and predictable. However, I kept getting lower and lower as I approached the first turn point, basically drifting in weak climbs. I join up with Kevin and Mike G and snagged the first turn point. Dave came back upwind to the turn point after drifting past it. I then headed north but decided to turn around after seeing several pilots land in front of me. I wallowed around in some “almost” lift with many other pilots. I radioed to Julie that Dave and I were just a few turns away from landing. I watched Bo land at the intersection that was our turn point. Dave and I found a good climb and were immediately swarmed with gliders. The climbed turned into a 600 fpm elevator ride to cloud base where I joined up with Linda.

Linda and I headed north northwest under some clouds. We had several nice glides and climbs together. I found a reasonable climb out in the blue that let me climb away from Linda before I headed up wind to a couple gliders that were turning down low. As I got closer I could see it was Carl and probably Claire. I joined in and we gained some much needed altitude before sneaking up on the second turn point. Carl and I found a strong climb and were soon joined by Kevin and another pilot. I was now high enough to get the turn point and start the tough upwind leg. Carl zoomed off while Kevin and I banked up on altitude. Kevin gained an extra 700 feet on me at the edge of a cloud before we dove out into the blue. I didn’t have enough altitude to continue with Kevin so I stopped to join a pilot circling over a cotton field that turned out to be Carl again. We shared a measly thermal that drifted more than it climbed. I eventually decided I had enough and headed down course line to a frustrating but good landing in a cotton field.

Now everyone says things are bigger in Texas. I am now a believer. I landed in a cotton field that I thought had an access road. The road turned out to be a ditch between two fields. No problem, I’ll just hike out to the paved road just a short distance away. Well, that road was a 1.5 miles away. Ugh. I walked my glider, with harness still on, for about a mile before I gave up and broke down in the field. Julie and Dave, who landed just before the second turn point, showed up, hiked in, and helped me hike out my gear. Thanks!

This makes the 3^rd day I have not made goal. It is very frustrating but I am trying to learn from my mistakes. I am having a tough time adapting to the uneven climbs, that range anywhere from 100 to 600 fpm. I start out cautious, but turn on the speed after several 500 fpm climbs only to end up struggling with a series of weak climbs. I could have done better being more cautious all the time, but being cautious can cost big points when the day is good. Sigh. As they say, this sport is good for keeping one humble.