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Posted by Mark Wass....
on 5/27/2008, 8:51 am, in reply to "Memorial Day Soaring"
64.80.107.66
From my perspective.
Another great soaring weekend. Both Saturday and Sunday turned out to be great days, and I understand that Monday was good as well.
Saturday:
Saturday I was unable to keep the 1-26 flying for more that 30 minutes. The thermals were good but seems broken up down low. Perhaps I should have stayed on tow a bit longer. The glass ships seemed to be doing ok. Doug Bradley had his fine machine out of the box for a few laps. Jari Walach launched shortly after the noon hour and headed SE on a Gold distance attempt.
It was apparent that the thermals persisted very late in the afternoon. Once Chuck gave his stamp for the annual inspection on the Club Grob, Rick Roman was up for a regular flight with a 4 pm launch. Jim Rizzo completed his all day instructor duties and launched in the Club new machine later than that.
So, its 5:20pm. Three birds still at large and none in sight. The sky is starting to look like perhaps things are getting weaker and spaced out. Some calls go out on the radio….no answers. The hanger phone rings….someone needs a retrieve….not the this time. Rick Lafford, the last tow pilot on the field, decides to go home but leave word that he is willing to come back if anyone needs a tow.
5:30pm Rick Roman lands in the club Grob right on time….no SK, no Pegasus.
At 6:15 pm comes the whistling of fast wings over the hanger, it’s Jim in the Pegasus finishing a final glide from the north. That’s two, one to go, and Jim reports the sky is still working, so the news is optimistic.
Finish packing the hanger with the exception of the Pawnee, at 6:40 pm or so… SK is tuning base. From Jari’s report on the ground, 95 miles SE and back. Back against a 20-25 knot headwind. 6+ hours in the air and early reports are a Gold Distance for Jari Walach. Congratulations Jari on a great flight.
Sunday:
Blue, calm, and good thermals. The hanger was empty for a portion of the day with the exception of the Pegasus for service. Chuck Zabinski and Doug Cline where both out there somewhere yonder. The 21 was busy with lessons and rides most of the day. Cy Castner took the Grob out for a fly. I managed to take a couple of short two points tasks to the south in the club Grob. The high point of my day was releasing is a thermal over the East Hill at ~3000 msl and didn’t stop turning till the altimeter read 7000+ msl.
Sometime midday the Pawnee decided it needed a rest and refused to turn over. Doug Bradley called on the Citabria for couple of tows while the call went out to our maintenance captain. The report from Chuck Taft was, a minor connection problem at the starter solenoid and the main tug is back in service.
Monday:
I understand condition were good on Monday, many good flights, but I was grounded with domestic duties.
--Previous Message--
: Hi:
: Memorial Day provided more memorable soaring
: than I anticipated. Four instructors, Tom,
: Jim, Doug B., Doug C., were present;
: towpilot was Drew, while Ray and Jake were
: the only other members present. Jim soared
: the Pegasus to over 7K in wave south of DSV,
: Doug and Tom both flew the Jantar, while
: Jake and I ridge soared the ASK21 followed
: by Ray who took his friend for a flight.
:
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