We flew today. The weather was sunny, dry and high pressure. We got to launch at the usual10 a.m. and settled in to wait for the day to start. The wind techs begin to launch about 11:15 a.m. but were having a hard time climbing out. So we knew that today was going to be tricky.
The launch window opened at 11:45 a.m. and the start was at 1:00 p.m.
I launched about 12 noon, and climbed out on broken light thermals. Not much more then 500 feet per minute max. The ceiling kept lifting as we were climbing, and the gaggle topped out at a little over 7,000 feet msl. It was an interesting start gaggle today as the start was an exit cylinder only 1 km in diameter. It must of looked interesting from the ground as basically the whole group was together. The thermals were drifting toward Lake Chelan, so once topped out you had to get back to the top of the Butte.
Once the start alarm went off everyone went on glide for the task. It was a 69 km task from the Butte to Okanagan, north of Chelan. The interesting part to the start was you could cross the Columbia river to the flats, or follow the foot hills on the Butte side then cross the river to the flats. Once at Brewster you had to cross the Columbia river again north to Okanagan.
I unfortunately, got drilled again today on the first glide from the Butte and landed at Chelan airport. Last word I have received at 4:30 p.m. is there are 40 pilots in goal.
Another tricky day, and patience is what is paying off. Forecast is for cloudy and windy on Friday, but let's hope we can get two more tasks in the last two days. Cheers!
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Day 3
Today is Day Three and no task today. We went up to launch in hope that winds would be on the decrease. Unfortunately, it seemed to stay strong and the powers that be called it after about an hour and half on launch.
There is a Low pressure system to the north off the Britsh Columbia coast, and with a High to the south a strong westerly flow has set up. Tomorrow, Thursday looks to be a better day, but they are calling for an increase of clouds. The rest of the week looks OK but it is too early to tell right now with this Low just hanging there.
On day two we didn't fly as the winds were strong and increasing through the day as the cold front passed. Stay Tuned.....
There is a Low pressure system to the north off the Britsh Columbia coast, and with a High to the south a strong westerly flow has set up. Tomorrow, Thursday looks to be a better day, but they are calling for an increase of clouds. The rest of the week looks OK but it is too early to tell right now with this Low just hanging there.
On day two we didn't fly as the winds were strong and increasing through the day as the cold front passed. Stay Tuned.....
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
1st Task
Chelan was true to form the first day with very light winds, and small dust devils skirting the launch area by 10 a.m. It turned out to be a blue day, and a cap to about 7,000 feet, but some pilots managed to get to 8,000 feet msl over the flats. It was my 4th day on the Tracer, and the 1st day in the thermals that were stronger then 400 feet per minute. The glider flew well, and felt perfect.
The task was about 58.1 km race to Leahy with one turn point, and a third of the field made goal.
Jeff Wishnie won the day.
Launch window opened about 11:45 a.m. and the task start at 12:50 p.m. I finally got off launch about 20 minutes before the task started and had a good climb out over the butte. The top of the butte is about 3,900 feet msl, and I climbed to about 7,000 msl. Still a little low to make the flats comfortably. The main gaggle left right at the start time, but I lingered over the butte to long, and lost 500 feet in the process. After finally crossing the Columbia river to the flats, I was low and not many other pilots there to mark thermals. I found a weak climb over Mcneil canyon that finally got me onto the flats, but there I was thermaling alone on a blue day. We also had a cross wind to make it to Sims the first turn point which made it difficult if you're low, as the thermaling drifted you way off the course line. I scratched for a while and then dirted about 9 miles from the butte.
Even though I landed early, I was happy to have a flight on the new glider in stronger air. Also, it takes me a while to adapt to flying in the big gaggles again, and programing the GPS's for scoring
The group of pilots are experienced so all of our pilots meetings have been short and to the point. Chelan is showing to be the perfect venue for comps again.
Right now day 2 we are on hold due to a front moving through. We are meeting again at 12:30 p.m. to decide if we can get a task today.
The task was about 58.1 km race to Leahy with one turn point, and a third of the field made goal.
Jeff Wishnie won the day.
Launch window opened about 11:45 a.m. and the task start at 12:50 p.m. I finally got off launch about 20 minutes before the task started and had a good climb out over the butte. The top of the butte is about 3,900 feet msl, and I climbed to about 7,000 msl. Still a little low to make the flats comfortably. The main gaggle left right at the start time, but I lingered over the butte to long, and lost 500 feet in the process. After finally crossing the Columbia river to the flats, I was low and not many other pilots there to mark thermals. I found a weak climb over Mcneil canyon that finally got me onto the flats, but there I was thermaling alone on a blue day. We also had a cross wind to make it to Sims the first turn point which made it difficult if you're low, as the thermaling drifted you way off the course line. I scratched for a while and then dirted about 9 miles from the butte.
Even though I landed early, I was happy to have a flight on the new glider in stronger air. Also, it takes me a while to adapt to flying in the big gaggles again, and programing the GPS's for scoring
The group of pilots are experienced so all of our pilots meetings have been short and to the point. Chelan is showing to be the perfect venue for comps again.
Right now day 2 we are on hold due to a front moving through. We are meeting again at 12:30 p.m. to decide if we can get a task today.
Sunday, July 27, 2008
In Chelan
Finally made it to Chelan, Washington. It was a 20 hour drive with a stop overnight in Boise, Idaho. It was a pleasure to come into the campground called Beebe, which is on the Columbia river, to friends and a site for my tent. We had six tents crammed in the area for the site. Unfortunately, I could only set up half of my tent as the spot they saved me was for a two man sized tent. My tent is a 4 man. Anyway, it worked for last night, and a another tent site opened up and I was able to secure that, which enabled me to complete the full set up.
This morning we woke up to a nice day, but to wind. It did not look promising to fly. A couple of pilots launched, but were not getting anywhere due to the strong wind. Of course the goal is to launch from the butte, get at least 3,000 to 5,000 feet over launch and then cross the river into the flats. If I remember correctly the best hieght is around 8,000 msl. The higher you are the easier it is to get to the flats with enough altitude to find a descent thermal to go on.
We ended up hanging by the lake, and swimming. The water was a pleasant 75 degrees. We have now downloaded the waypoints into our GPS and will soon have the pilots meeting, to go over the comp details. Stay tuned for more info.
This morning we woke up to a nice day, but to wind. It did not look promising to fly. A couple of pilots launched, but were not getting anywhere due to the strong wind. Of course the goal is to launch from the butte, get at least 3,000 to 5,000 feet over launch and then cross the river into the flats. If I remember correctly the best hieght is around 8,000 msl. The higher you are the easier it is to get to the flats with enough altitude to find a descent thermal to go on.
We ended up hanging by the lake, and swimming. The water was a pleasant 75 degrees. We have now downloaded the waypoints into our GPS and will soon have the pilots meeting, to go over the comp details. Stay tuned for more info.
Thursday, July 24, 2008
A beautiful morning flying in Wolcott. Tandems have been going great with a little soaring. But, what's really new is the Sol Tracer that I will be flying at the Chelan XC Open. I have only had three flights with this glider, but all three have been soaring flights in light thermals. The real test will be in the big air in Chelan, WA. I still have some kinks to sort out on the glider.
The handling is amazing, turns on a dime, or flat which ever you need for the thermal size, shape and strength. The brake handles are soft which is new for me. I have been used to a brake with a rigid handle. Since I like to fly with a rap of the brake line around my hand, the soft handles squeeze my hand so much that I lose circulation in the fingers. So I will change the brakes to a rigid handle.
The speed system on this glider is the most user friendly I have had. The pulley system is set up to increase pressure the more you push on the speed bar. It's very easy to go to half speed, and then the pressure increases progressively until full speed. The speed system on the other gliders I have flown with have always been very difficult to push from the beginning. They really found the right combo to make this system functional for long transitions when going XC.
I will be on the road Friday with a stop in Idaho, and then on to Chelan, arriving Saturday in the afternoon. The weather has been sunny with highs in the Upper 80's and 90's. I hope the conditions stay favorable for a good comp. Keep you all posted.
Cheers, Greg
The handling is amazing, turns on a dime, or flat which ever you need for the thermal size, shape and strength. The brake handles are soft which is new for me. I have been used to a brake with a rigid handle. Since I like to fly with a rap of the brake line around my hand, the soft handles squeeze my hand so much that I lose circulation in the fingers. So I will change the brakes to a rigid handle.
The speed system on this glider is the most user friendly I have had. The pulley system is set up to increase pressure the more you push on the speed bar. It's very easy to go to half speed, and then the pressure increases progressively until full speed. The speed system on the other gliders I have flown with have always been very difficult to push from the beginning. They really found the right combo to make this system functional for long transitions when going XC.
I will be on the road Friday with a stop in Idaho, and then on to Chelan, arriving Saturday in the afternoon. The weather has been sunny with highs in the Upper 80's and 90's. I hope the conditions stay favorable for a good comp. Keep you all posted.
Cheers, Greg
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Pre-Chelan
Greetings Everyone! Well, it's time to get ready to go to Chelan, Washington to the Chelan XC Classic paragliding competition. Chelan, WA is a beautiful area. Not only is the flying amazing, but the town of Chelan is on a beautiful glacial carved lake. There is lots to do if the flying is shut down. However, the many times that I have flown there, the weather has cooperated most of the time to have 4 or more good days of flying.
Chelan is a butte on the west side of the Columbia river, and on the east side of the Cascade foothills. We launch on the butte, cross the Columbia river onto the flatlands of eastern Washington, and fly the flatlands sometimes landing out there or flying traingles landing back at the butte. Tons of wheat fields with talcum powder like soil allow for excellent thermal production, not to mention dust devels that mark the thermals.
I will keep you all posted as we get closer to the comp.
Cheers, Greg
Chelan is a butte on the west side of the Columbia river, and on the east side of the Cascade foothills. We launch on the butte, cross the Columbia river onto the flatlands of eastern Washington, and fly the flatlands sometimes landing out there or flying traingles landing back at the butte. Tons of wheat fields with talcum powder like soil allow for excellent thermal production, not to mention dust devels that mark the thermals.
I will keep you all posted as we get closer to the comp.
Cheers, Greg
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