Monday, January 18, 2010
Launches
I received requests for more video from the 1996 Morningside Glide Angle Contest after my post yesterday on landings. Here are some launches from the second day.
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Landing
Since the days are short and the nights long, I've been digitizing my old analog videos. I came across a video I took in the late 1990s August 1996 during an annual Glide Angle Contest at Morningside Flight Park. Well known pilots from around the United States and Canada used to come and see how far they could glide from the 250 foot (76m) launch. It was always a fun event, even for non-pilots. It was an aerial version of a horse or tractor pull; everyone could tell who was winning.
Manufacturers sent their top pilots to squeeze every bit of distance from their gliders. Some pilots complained that the distances were not a true measure of a glider's glide angle (ratio). Of course they were right, but they missed the point. The real draw was the pilot skill. Putting the maximum amount of energy into the launch. Managing the most efficient turn around the pylon at mid-course. Dropping into ground effect at the right time. And of course, safely landing at the absolute last moment.
I learned much from watching and competing in those meets. For example, I'm still surprised when I talk with pilots that freak-out when they discover they can't unzip before landing. It's really not a big deal in many cases. Land on your belly or land standing up in your harness. I watched people regularly do that trying to get a better score. Eventually I tried the techniques myself and still use them to this day.
I created two videos. The first contains the raw material. It includes flights from many pilots that inspired me during my early years such as Ken Brown, Curly Dunn, Rob Kells, Dennis Pagen, Tim Donovan, Paul Voight, and others. The second video contains just the landings. It highlights different variations and provides a range of typical landings. The first video is too long to post on YouTube, so for now here is the shorter video containing just the landings.
Manufacturers sent their top pilots to squeeze every bit of distance from their gliders. Some pilots complained that the distances were not a true measure of a glider's glide angle (ratio). Of course they were right, but they missed the point. The real draw was the pilot skill. Putting the maximum amount of energy into the launch. Managing the most efficient turn around the pylon at mid-course. Dropping into ground effect at the right time. And of course, safely landing at the absolute last moment.
I learned much from watching and competing in those meets. For example, I'm still surprised when I talk with pilots that freak-out when they discover they can't unzip before landing. It's really not a big deal in many cases. Land on your belly or land standing up in your harness. I watched people regularly do that trying to get a better score. Eventually I tried the techniques myself and still use them to this day.
I created two videos. The first contains the raw material. It includes flights from many pilots that inspired me during my early years such as Ken Brown, Curly Dunn, Rob Kells, Dennis Pagen, Tim Donovan, Paul Voight, and others. The second video contains just the landings. It highlights different variations and provides a range of typical landings. The first video is too long to post on YouTube, so for now here is the shorter video containing just the landings.
Friday, January 01, 2010
A New Season
The days are getting longer since we've past the winter solstice in the northern hemisphere so its time to start thinking about the next flying season! I've starting piecing together my competition schedule and will fit my usual winter XC and competition lectures between the snowstorms and spring.
The first meet of the season for me will be the 2nd Annual Rob Kells Memorial at the Florida Ridge, in La Belle, Florida, from April 17th to the 23rd.
The next meet, the 2010 Flytec Race and Rally, starts immediately afterwards at La Belle and runs from April 25th to May 1st.
Although I have not registered yet, I plan to compete at the 2010 East Coast Championship, at Highland Aerosports in Ridgely, Maryland, June 6th through 12th.
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
December Soaring
I had my first December thermal soaring flight in New England on the 4th. I almost didn't go. Peter offered to pick me up on his way to the Mohawk Trail since I couldn't carry gliders on my car. I was hesitant to blow off hunting new clients for yet another day of ridge soaring. Although it was a longer drive, Peter was game for trying West Rutland since the computer models hinted we might have usable thermals.
We got a late start which can be a joy-kill in December with its limited amount of daylight. We met Art, Jeff, and PK in the soggy, muddy, cold parking area out front. Even though the doctor forbid him from flying until his shoulder mended, Bob came along to shuttle us up the mountain and help us launch. Major thanks Bob!
Although the wind was light when we arrived on top, it slowly increased to soar-able velocities as we rigged. That, the cold, and the quickly passing day encouraged us to rig quickly.
Art was the first to launch. Although the velocity was nice, the wind was blowing across launch at times and caught Art. His right wing almost touched the ramp as he tried to level the glider during his run. Needless to say, the rest of us were extra cautious and had clean launches.
Note the right wing. What happened?
The air was unbelievably smooth and buoyant. It felt coastal. There was just enough wind to ridge soar and the 1 - 1.5 m/s (200-300 fpm) thermals were big and as soft as pillows. I had climbs to 1100m (3600 feet); about 150m (500 feet) below cloud base. I flew upwind reliably connecting with thermals below dark clouds and circled in thermals with VG settings from full loose to full tight. PK and I shared a couple runs upwind, including one were we zipped along at 80 kph (50 mph).
I grabbed some pictures of the low-on-the-horizon sun lighting up spots on the barren hillsides.
I was excited for Art and Jeff when they got adventurous and made long glides upwind as well.
Although it was still "mid-afternoon" I could tell it was time to land unless I wanted to break down in the dark. PK and I started a long upwind glide to burn off altitude before running back downwind to land. I watched Peter land in the sloped field behind Bird's Eye and decided to land there as well. I arrived over the field about the same time Art did, so I threw in some dirty spirals to quickly lose altitude. The smooth air allowed me to do a fast and tight approach along the power lines, over the house, and deliciously close to the trees before dropping into the field. Ah, a sweet way to end a season of flying.
Flights: 1, Duration: 1:34
We got a late start which can be a joy-kill in December with its limited amount of daylight. We met Art, Jeff, and PK in the soggy, muddy, cold parking area out front. Even though the doctor forbid him from flying until his shoulder mended, Bob came along to shuttle us up the mountain and help us launch. Major thanks Bob!
Bob
Did I mention soggy? The mountains are normally snowed in by December, but warm heavy rains kept the snow away. Waterfalls were transparent liquid instead of solid glittering blue and the fields below were reflective lakes instead of expanses of dry white.
Where is the ice?
LZ is the island along the highway!
No place to land in the gap either.
Although the wind was light when we arrived on top, it slowly increased to soar-able velocities as we rigged. That, the cold, and the quickly passing day encouraged us to rig quickly.
Peter
Jeff
PK
Art was the first to launch. Although the velocity was nice, the wind was blowing across launch at times and caught Art. His right wing almost touched the ramp as he tried to level the glider during his run. Needless to say, the rest of us were extra cautious and had clean launches.
Art on launch.
Note the right wing. What happened?
The air was unbelievably smooth and buoyant. It felt coastal. There was just enough wind to ridge soar and the 1 - 1.5 m/s (200-300 fpm) thermals were big and as soft as pillows. I had climbs to 1100m (3600 feet); about 150m (500 feet) below cloud base. I flew upwind reliably connecting with thermals below dark clouds and circled in thermals with VG settings from full loose to full tight. PK and I shared a couple runs upwind, including one were we zipped along at 80 kph (50 mph).
I grabbed some pictures of the low-on-the-horizon sun lighting up spots on the barren hillsides.
I was excited for Art and Jeff when they got adventurous and made long glides upwind as well.
Although it was still "mid-afternoon" I could tell it was time to land unless I wanted to break down in the dark. PK and I started a long upwind glide to burn off altitude before running back downwind to land. I watched Peter land in the sloped field behind Bird's Eye and decided to land there as well. I arrived over the field about the same time Art did, so I threw in some dirty spirals to quickly lose altitude. The smooth air allowed me to do a fast and tight approach along the power lines, over the house, and deliciously close to the trees before dropping into the field. Ah, a sweet way to end a season of flying.
Flights: 1, Duration: 1:34
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Cape Cod
Randy was a man on a mission; snag another 5 hour flight soaring the dunes on Cape Cod. I was pulled into the madness when I accepted his offer for a ride. We had to leave at 4:30 AM so we could fly and land before high tide swallowed the LZ around mid-afternoon. John B, Peter J, Rodger were up for flying, but not leaving that early! JJ and Matt were also planning on early flights but would be heading off to work immediately afterwards.
Randy pointed out the next morning that we left at 4:32 AM; he would be bummed if he had to land at 4:58 minutes because we were late! As expected JJ and Matt were already there when we arrived after 7 AM. However, I was surprised to see Peter. Apparently he couldn't sleep and decided to beat the morning rush hour traffic. It was obviously soar-able so we rigged behind shifting sand dunes and commenced launching. Matt went first, followed by Randy, Peter, then JJ. Lucky for me, Rodger and John showed up as I was helping JJ launch. I found a good spot to balance the wing, dropped to the base bar, and stepped into the air.
I immediately discovered it was mindlessly soar-able and that I was overdressed. I thought about top landing to shed clothes, but instead unzipped and let the cool air whisk away the heat.
I played with the smooth marine air, but thought it was a bit too strong for aerobatics. I saw Peter to the north, so I left in hot pursuit. I dove through flocks of sea gulls launching from the beach, chased seals from high above, and laughed as I easily crossed gaps that are "nightmares" on less ideal days. We passed Matt coming back from Highland Light, which is about 8.5 miles out from launch. I flew on to the lighthouse, turned around, and chased down Matt before heading back to launch.
John and Rodger were getting ready to launch as I played around with JJ and Randy. Matt landed so he could go to work while Randy took off to the north. I hung around waiting for John since it was his first flight there. After wrestling with the crappy air in the setup area, he smoothly ran off launch and floated up.
Instead of waiting for Rodger to launch, I got impatient and decided to chase down Randy. We flew together until Randy had to take a few minutes to gain altitude before crossing a gap. Once I reached the Highland Light again, I took some pictures. You can easily see the curve of the cape and the water on the other side.
Randy wondered if I was trying to cook myself when I snapped pictures of the FAA radar dome and the funky little tower next to it.
We waved at John and Rodger heading north as we passed headed south. By the time I arrived JJ was leaving for work and Peter was on the beach. I was trying to top land when Allen announced he was getting ready to launch. Cool. (He read about our plans on Twitter and decided to show up at the last minute for his first flight at the beach.) I moved away to the south and tried to touch down on a tiny dune. It was nearly impossible; I just couldn't get the glider close to the ground!
Randy announced he was heading south to Nauset Light and I gave chase. However, I turned around after passing through sprinkles and seeing heavier rain on the other side of the cape. I turned around to land while Randy continued on.
I flew over the ocean to lose altitude, did a quick downwind dash to the beach, and then flew along the beach as I slowly settled in. I started moonwalking with the glider until I stepped too strongly into the sand, caught my toe, and dropped the glider on the base bar next to Peter. You could see my early light steps in the sand and then the "deep" footprint and "toe drag" that foiled the show. :-(
Breaking down in deep sand and blowing wind is an art, but no matter how good you are sand gets in everything. I had already taken my glider up to the car and was walking along the beach to get my harness when Rodger came into land. His approach seemed fine until I noticed he wasn't descending! The beach was just about gone behind me as Rodger barely flew over my head. I was afraid he would end up in the water, but to my (and his) surprise he continued soaring past the water and was unceremoniously dumped into the sand far beyond it.
After a long walk back, we watched John and Randy land. Randy mentioned that Allen landed to the north, so I took Allen's van north while everyone else broke down.
Allen and Rodger flew with video cameras. Check them out.
Allen's video
Oh, Randy did fly for more than 5 hours, so my 2 minute delay wasn't a disaster! Randy also had his 100th hour of hang gliding airtime during the flight. Very nice.
Flights: 1, Duration: 3:00, Distance: 34 miles
Randy pointed out the next morning that we left at 4:32 AM; he would be bummed if he had to land at 4:58 minutes because we were late! As expected JJ and Matt were already there when we arrived after 7 AM. However, I was surprised to see Peter. Apparently he couldn't sleep and decided to beat the morning rush hour traffic. It was obviously soar-able so we rigged behind shifting sand dunes and commenced launching. Matt went first, followed by Randy, Peter, then JJ. Lucky for me, Rodger and John showed up as I was helping JJ launch. I found a good spot to balance the wing, dropped to the base bar, and stepped into the air.
I immediately discovered it was mindlessly soar-able and that I was overdressed. I thought about top landing to shed clothes, but instead unzipped and let the cool air whisk away the heat.
I played with the smooth marine air, but thought it was a bit too strong for aerobatics. I saw Peter to the north, so I left in hot pursuit. I dove through flocks of sea gulls launching from the beach, chased seals from high above, and laughed as I easily crossed gaps that are "nightmares" on less ideal days. We passed Matt coming back from Highland Light, which is about 8.5 miles out from launch. I flew on to the lighthouse, turned around, and chased down Matt before heading back to launch.
Instead of waiting for Rodger to launch, I got impatient and decided to chase down Randy. We flew together until Randy had to take a few minutes to gain altitude before crossing a gap. Once I reached the Highland Light again, I took some pictures. You can easily see the curve of the cape and the water on the other side.
Radar dome and little tower
We waved at John and Rodger heading north as we passed headed south. By the time I arrived JJ was leaving for work and Peter was on the beach. I was trying to top land when Allen announced he was getting ready to launch. Cool. (He read about our plans on Twitter and decided to show up at the last minute for his first flight at the beach.) I moved away to the south and tried to touch down on a tiny dune. It was nearly impossible; I just couldn't get the glider close to the ground!
Randy announced he was heading south to Nauset Light and I gave chase. However, I turned around after passing through sprinkles and seeing heavier rain on the other side of the cape. I turned around to land while Randy continued on.
I flew over the ocean to lose altitude, did a quick downwind dash to the beach, and then flew along the beach as I slowly settled in. I started moonwalking with the glider until I stepped too strongly into the sand, caught my toe, and dropped the glider on the base bar next to Peter. You could see my early light steps in the sand and then the "deep" footprint and "toe drag" that foiled the show. :-(
Peter and the churning ocean
Breaking down in deep sand and blowing wind is an art, but no matter how good you are sand gets in everything. I had already taken my glider up to the car and was walking along the beach to get my harness when Rodger came into land. His approach seemed fine until I noticed he wasn't descending! The beach was just about gone behind me as Rodger barely flew over my head. I was afraid he would end up in the water, but to my (and his) surprise he continued soaring past the water and was unceremoniously dumped into the sand far beyond it.
Imprint of Rodger's nose and flying wires. :-)
After a long walk back, we watched John and Randy land. Randy mentioned that Allen landed to the north, so I took Allen's van north while everyone else broke down.
Allen and Rodger flew with video cameras. Check them out.
Allen's video
Rodger's video
Oh, Randy did fly for more than 5 hours, so my 2 minute delay wasn't a disaster! Randy also had his 100th hour of hang gliding airtime during the flight. Very nice.
Flights: 1, Duration: 3:00, Distance: 34 miles
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