Transition

The forecast for Sunday had looked good several days.  However the forecast that morning hinted it might be blown out.  Ignoring that forecast, or hoping for the best, Jeff and Peter tossed onto my car and we drove west to the Mohawk Trail.

We parked next to Keith's truck, minus a glider, when we arrived at the end of the trail to launch.  It was windy enough we debated whether to hike in with our gear but carried in everything in spite of the rattling tree tops.

We didn't rig after being pushed around by the strong gusts plowing through.  We talked and tried to size up the weather as other pilots trickled into the setup area.

I decided to start rigging after a couple lulls convinced me I could safely launch.  Although the forecast didn't predict a diminishing wind, the lulls became longer and more frequent as we leisurely got ready to fly.

Peter

Randy

Rigging the toys...

Allen

Mike and Linda

In spite of what we saw earlier, I was worried the wind eventually might not support ridge soaring.  (Finding a thermal before landing is tough when launch is only 750 feet (229 m) above the bailout LZ below).  I suited up and was the first to launch.  The wind was light and I waited for a bit of a "straight-in" breeze before launching.  I glided south to the "Wigwam House" before returning below launch.  I was getting desperate when I smacked into a tiny thermal ripping up the mountain slope to the north.  After a few 180s I cleared the ridge line, cranked into it, and quickly climbed above launch.

The climb was surprisingly strong for September and I was soon flying at cloud base.

I was surprised by the light wind at 9 mph (14 kph).  Only when I neared cloud base did the wind increase to 18 mph (29 kph).  The higher winds at the top of the boundary layer explained the fast moving clouds, but the stronger winds on launch must have been primarily thermal gusts.

Speaking of thermal gusts, Randy spent a long time on launch before getting airborne.  Brooks followed soon after and both climbed out south of Route 2 along the ridge.  The next two pilots, Jeff and Peter, were not so lucky.  Both had short flights and landed in the undesirable bailout LZ below.  Their performance was enough to keep everyone else on the ground.

Brooks and Randy climbing along the ridge, launch (closest clearing along the ridge), LZ lower right

I briefly flew with Brooks and Randy, but each of us wandered in different directions.  I flew over the ridge and valley soaking up the chilly fall air and tinted leaves.  I also played around the new unactivated wind mills on the hill tops north and east of launch.

Wind mills, hair-pin turn, and launch (leftmost clearing on ridge line in lower right corner of photo)

Transition to fall colors underway

Randy landed in the valley south of the school while Brooks and I ventured to the far side of the valley north of launch.  I explored even more after Brooks glided to the mini-golf LZ.

Jeff and Peter, less than thrilled with their short flights, got on the radio and joked about leaving for home.  I took the hint and agreed to meet them at "Amy's LZ" in the valley.  I flew back to launch and radioed the waiting pilots that the air was mellow and buoyant along the ridge.  I watched a pilot launch as I headed into the valley to land.

I felt like a novice pilot on his first mountain flight as Jeff and Peter radioed in wind direction changes as I lost altitude over the LZ.  The wind, although not strong, was switching from southwest through east.  It was tough to plan an approach with that much variability but I was lucky and landed into a fairly consistent north wind.

They patiently waited as I broke down and five gliders floated along the ridge in an evening wonder wind.

Jeff

Peter amongst the emerging colors of autumn

Flights: 1, Duration: 3:03

Final Exam

Many students start their school year about now.  My flight on Labor Day felt like a final exam for this year's flying season.

Peter stopped by and snatched me before stopping near Gardner to pick up JJ on his way to Mount Greylock in western Massachusetts.  We meet Al, Brooks, Doug, and Jeff at the LZ before dodging runners racing to the top of the mountain.

The wind, if any, was forecasted to switch from the desirable east-southeast, to the crossing south, and then to the un-launchable over-the-back southwest.  We were happy to see the wind blowing straight-in and delighted to feel a real breeze instead of the usual trickle.  I rigged as swiftly as possible while still managing a quick hello to many friends.

My trusty steed.

Doug

Al (Don't ask!)

John answering questions while getting ready.

Time to mount up.

The first paraglider to launch bobbed around the mountain top, never got high, but wasn't sinking out.   Good enough for me!  With Peter, JJ's, and Gary's help, I waded through the crowd and was the first hang glider to run into the air.

The flight was a series of 3 or 4 cycles where I: fly around launch, slowly sink out when high clouds drift overhead blocking the sun, fight for every bit of lift with a dozen other pilots until forced to fly into the valley to the LZ, snag a weak climb drifting away from the field back to ridge-height downwind of launch, breathe a sigh of relief, fly back to launch, and repeat.  I would lose most of my flying buddies at the low point of each cycle but would pick up a new batch when I got back up.

Some pilots don't like a day like that but I loved it.  I had to be efficient, a bit daring in the climbs near the tress, and nimble flying through the maze of darting pilots.

JJ was one of the pilots that succumbed to the first flush cycle and volunteered to hike back up the mountain to drive Peter's truck down.  A one point he announced on the radio he could hear my vario; sure enough I looked down and could see JJ waving back.

After buzzing launch a few times and showing off to motorcyclists parked along the road to the top, I flew northeast to the LZ at the miniature golf course called The Range.

LZ at The Range

Looking northeast towards the Mohawk Trail

After landing on the nice manicured lawn I walked over to where Brooks, Matt, and Peter were packing up.

Peter

Brooks

Doug, JJ, and Jeff soon showed up and after a quick ice cream bar and a short debriefing we were on our way home.  I don't know if I passed or not, but it sure felt like I had just completed a through final exam on low saves and hillside scratching.

Update:  Several pilots posted videos from their flights.





Flights: 1, Duration: 2:31

Summer Flying in New England

I owe PK for the nice flight last week in western Vermont.  I knew it would be a good day but even with PK's encouragement I couldn't get motivated for the early departure and 6 hours of solo driving.  I resigned myself to another day on the ground as I picked produce from the garden and had a leisurely breakfast.  I played out in my head the day in front of me; dull work and an evening alone since Amy was going out with friends.  Crap, maybe I should have gone.  Everyone was meeting for the ride up at noon.  It was 9:15 and it takes 3 hours to get there; already late and I still had to pack up and load the glider.  What the ****!  I literally ran around the house gathering my flying gear, tossed it in the car, hurriedly strapped the glider on top and rolled down the driveway by 9:30.

I got my fill of racing and shaved 15 minutes off the drive north.  Luckily for me, Keith and the rest of the crew (Al, Amy, Bo, Dan, Jordan, PK, and Todd) waited on the tardy one.  We were greeted by light soarable conditions on top.  Bob was already rigged and proved it was soarable as we quickly setup our gliders.  Bo launched next and was soon far overhead in his paraglider.  Sweet.

Of course, as PK, Keith, and I suited up, Bob floated by launch and said it was getting marginal.  Sigh.  PK launched and found a little bullet thermal to the west.  Keith waited for signs of life before launching.  He must have chosen well since he was already above the ridge when I ran off after him.  I cruised around in the bowl maintaining or slightly climbing until a real thermal blew through and quickly climbed out.

Bowl in front, Todd on launch at left end of ridge

I flew upwind into the valley and found a climb that eventually merged with a climb PK was in further out.

Thermals merge into one

PK and I climbed out as everyone else in the air was flushed to the ground.  As they say in real estate "location is everything"!

Climbing downwind of launch

The clouds downwind to the east looked great and the wind was stronger than we expected.  It would have been fun crossing the Green Mountains at 6500+ feet (2000m), but we were not sure how strong or reliable the lift was and crossing the Greens would make retrieve driving much more difficult for Jordan, our driver for the day.

Todd's daughter and driver, Jordan

Although the sky wasn't as promising and flying crosswind would be a chore, we decided to fly north along the western edge of the Greens.  Our first glide lead to broken and weak climbs under a dying mass of clouds.

Gliding north

The surface winds were southwest, the bulk of the column westerly, and the top northwest.  Press weak climbs (100-200 fpm, 0.5 - 1.0 m/s) through that grinder and you have challenging climbs.  We floundered for a bit before drifting into the valley and eventually onto the Greens.

Quarry

Of course I had to stop and take pictures!

I always want to pass Lake Dunmore to the west over open fields, but always end up flying over the trees downwind to the east.  The same thing happened this time, even after using two glides and climbs so I could be upwind of the lake.  Sigh.  From now on, I'm just going to suck-it-up and head straight for the trees!

Looking north towards Lake Dunmore.  Notice the wind lines on the water.

Looking southwest towards launch (upper center left)

PK and I shared a smooth climb over Lake Dunmore.  We were flying at the same altitude for a relatively long time.  He would occasionally ask on the radio if I was still there since he couldn't see me right behind him.  At one point I positioned myself so I could fly directly over him as the sun was on our backs.  As my shadow passed over his glider I gave him a good banshee scream.  Didn't need the radio for that!

Lake Dunmore

Looking east over the Greens

Looking southeast over the Greens

As it always happens the day started to wane.  We left the mountains and flew to the valley fields into a noticeable headwind.

We flew along the west edge of the mountains east of the Middlebury airport.

Middlebury airport at the base of the ridge, Lake Champlain and the Adironacks in the background

Although it was breezy above, we landed in nearly calm wind south of Bristol.  The neighbors were friendly and talked about someone landing there years ago during the July 4th holiday.  Jordan arrived just as we finished packing.  Thanks Jordan!

We later discovered the pilots that launched after us had short flights.  Several went back up for another that were also short.  Sorry guys.  :-(

This flight was very enjoyable.  We didn't go very far, get very high, or even explore new territory.  However the air was pleasant, the views great, the pace relaxing, and the company good.  It was definitely worth the effort (and miles) to make it happen.

Flights: 1, Duration: 3:07, Distance 31.7 miles

Race of the Century

Amy and I checked out the "Race of the Century" at the Collings Foundation in Stow Massachusetts on Sunday.  Quoting from their website, the purpose of the Collings Foundation is to "organize and support “living history” events that enable Americans to learn more about their heritage through direct participation".  The "race of the century" pitted "some of the greatest technological advancements in air and ground transportation against each other in a series of races".

I like horses and old automobiles as much as most gear heads, but the aircraft were my favorites.

Stearman

T-6 Texan

Amy

Inertia

I think the universe wanted me to stay on the ground Saturday.  It took forever to gather the flying and camping gear and then get Amy and I on the road.  A quick projection showed us arriving at Morningside around noon, which probably meant I would be so far back in the launch line that I would miss the afternoon soaring window.  Maybe I could shave time off on the drive north.  Hardly.  I stopped for gasoline only to find the pumps broken.  The next place we stopped didn't accept credit cards and I needed cash for tow fees.  Sigh.  After feeding the car, it was time to feed the humans on board.  The first place we stopped was done with breakfast.  Ugh.  We drove onto another place as I began to see the pattern for the day.

A short while later the universe then threw another roadblock in front of us; literally.  We were driving through a small town when traffic stopped and we could see the parking lot extending far ahead.  No problem, we'll just look at Google Maps and find a way around.  We dropped onto side streets and took a parallel road that merged back with the main road.  I was feeling smug until the paved road shrank to a gravel road, then a rough dirt road, and then a narrow logging road with potholes the size of small lakes.  Given the way the day was unwinding, I fully expected a locked gate or washed out bridge at any moment; but after some four-wheeling we broke through the trees onto a paved road near our intended route.  Whew.

Aside from the frustrating slow drivers that didn't understand how important it was for me to get to the flight park quickly, the rest of the trip went well.  ;-)

Although the hillside was decorated colorful gliders when I arrived at Morningside, I was surprised to see no one setup along the runway.  I had just stared talking with Peter J as Jon S pulled in.  We each asked "what are we waiting for?" as we looked up at the cummies overhead.  Apparently nothing as we headed across the road to setup.

The wind was light westerly, or 90 degrees cross to the north-south runway.  The wind had been predominately north or northwest while we setup, but switched with noticeable velocity from the south as Jim R towed two tandems.  Jim stopped by and said we would be launching from the north end of the runway.  Peter scored a ride with four-wheeler but I carried my glider and harness on foot.  Of course the wind blew in my face from the north during the entire walk.  I had a bad feeling but I needed to go where the tug was.  I helped Peter launch around 1:50pm after waiting a long time for the wind to go completely calm.

The wind remained calm while Peter was on tow, but started blowing on my back as loaded the glider onto the launch dolly.  I then noticed the launch dolly only had narrow grooves in the cradle; cut for round base bars.  When Jim returned I asked him about the dolly and he recommended not using it with my wide carbon speed bar.  After a quick call back to the hanger, I was left with the option of taking the dolly back to the shop for "sculpturing" or come up with something else on my own.   Jim recommended wrapping shirts or towels around the dolly supports to "fill in the holes" but I was totally out of spare shirts.  Lucky for me, Rob J stopped by and offered two shirts from his truck.  Thanks Rob!  We tied the shirts around the supports and both thought it would "probably" work.  ;-)

Now I had the issue with the continuous tailwind.  Jon was towed to the north end of the runway an a 4-wheelers just as we decided to walk all the way to the other end of the long, long runway.  He rode as I walked, once again, the length of the runway with all my gear.  I was beginning to wonder what it is that I specifically like about this sport.  ;-)

About an hour after Peter's launch, I wiped off the sweat, collected myself, and successfully launched using the jury-rigged cart.  I pinned off at 1400 feet (450 m) over the factories and started climbing at 150 fpm (0.75 m/s).  All was good until the thermal faded at 1700 feet (518m).  I searched for another climb and found a numerous bumps but was back on the ground after 15 minutes.  It didn't help that Jon was climbing under a cloud that Peter reported was at 6600 feet (2000m).

No problem, I'll just tow again.  The last words I heard as the tug wound up was something on the order of "don't release early this time".  Of course the weak link snapped as I came out of the cart.  I had a great landing in spite of the prop wash.  "OK, this isn't funny anymore!"

I dug out another weak link, put my harness back on, forgot to turn the video camera back on, and mounted up around 3:45, almost two hours after I was originally ready to go.  Sigh.  I had a good long tow to the factories northwest of Morningside where we met Jake flying in from Mount Ascutney.  I released once I was over Jake, waved a "thank-you" to Jim, and started climbing. Finally, the universe relented!

Jeff B and John A soon joined the weak and sometimes broken climb.  We flew around the valley and enjoyed the late afternoon.  I snapped pictures of Jim towing up a tandem over the river.

Jim towing over the Connecticut River

I flew around until the day started fading.  I soared with 3 paraglider pilots and another hang glider pilot on the 450 foot (137m) Morningside ridge.  It brought back memories of earlier flights when just getting above launch was a major thrill.

I made sure I was the last glider to land.  After everything was packed away, Amy and I drove to the top and soaked up the evening.  The nostalgia continued as I watched students launch into the smooth air over the valley below.

Morningside 450 launch

Early evening in the valley

Flights: 3, Duration: 1:43