Gary's Blog
Wesmar 5-10-2008
Sun May 11, 2008 1:14 pm
[  Mood: Happy ]
Figured it was time to add a current entry to my blog. With the exception of a dust devil that came through and tossed several gliders around like toothpicks it was a great day at the field. Lots of pilots showed up and we had aerotow and scooter operations in full swing. Things started out slow and my first 2 scooter tows were nothing more than extended sled rides. I knew it was turning on when I watched Steve555 release from tow, turn left and immediately start to climb. Thog was next and he did just as well. After the jump plane took off and the dust devil passed it was my turn. Had my highest tow of the day at 1100 AGL. Turned down wind and found some light lift. At first the lift was light and tight but it got better as I gained more altitude. Eventually cored some 500-600 FPM and was on my way up to join the others.
The higher I got the colder I got. I did not launch with gloves on but I told myself I would not try to put on my gloves until I was near cloudbase. Finally topped out just above 5000 AGL and was in 1000 FPM up. Fear of getting sucked up in a cloud had me diving for the downwind side of the cloud to get out of the lift. After fumbling around with numb hands I finally managed to get my side pouch unzipped and get my gloves put on. At this point I was nearing 5 points debating on whether or not I should head off to Deer Creek state park(visible in the picture). Since about everyone was already up I decided to play it safe and stay within glide back to the field.
Went ahead and flew to 5 points and had fun boating around in the abundant lift. After about a hour I was freezing and my back was starting to hurt so I decided it was time to head back for the field. This was the first time I actually had trouble getting back down. Made a run towards Darbyville and then back towards the field. Had fun burning off altitude doing full speed runs with full VG and banking and cranking in some sink. The warmer temps as I neared the field were a welcome relief.
All in all a great day with great friends. Congrats to CHassan who had a awesome XC adventure, Steve555 who had a flight over 2-1/2 hours long, to Thog who managed a great flight as well, outlasting my meager 1:21 minute flight and all the others present that had great flights.
This was the first soaring flight with my new Z5. I need to look at the boot to see if I can shape the insert to keep my toes from being pointed down during flight. I found my calfs and toes were cramping bad at the end of the flight. I also found out that my new HD1000 stops recording after the file size reaches 4GB  . I was only able to capture a little over an hour of video of my last flight. Lastly, like Steve555 I think it is time to order a set of bar mitts. My fingertips are still hurting as I type this entry.
GNelson
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Wingspan34
2 thumbs up
Joined: 14 Mar 2007
Posts: 5652
Location: Central NY
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 Posted: Sun May 11, 2008 2:19 pm Post subject: |
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That sounds like a truly amazing day for you and many others. Let's hope we all get a few just like it in the next couple months. 
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Thog
3 thumbs up
Joined: 29 Sep 2007
Posts: 207
Location: Millersport, Ohio
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Posted: Sun May 11, 2008 5:51 pm Post subject: |
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Great entry GNelson! I learned my lessons in lack of preparation...my battery was dead in my vario (I must have forgotten to turn it off), so I had to pull one from my GPS. Took off w/o gloves, and froze my fingers as well. Who would ever think you'd WANT to come down on a day like this! 
Thog
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steve555
3 thumbs up
Joined: 04 Jan 2007
Posts: 514
Location: pittsburgh pa
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Posted: Mon May 12, 2008 8:40 am Post subject: |
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| Fear of getting sucked up in a cloud had me diving for the downwind side of the cloud to get out of the lift. |
Yup.
I found out that I could park under the little clouds way away from the field while I waited for the parachute guys (meat missiles) to jump. Then when I saw them deploy I knew it was safe to come back.
This worked for a while but I noticed I was getting higher and higher into the cloud as the day went on.
So I'm looking for CHassans dad when i notice I can't see anything on a horizontal plane around me and there are little wispies of cloud beneath me. Thinking I've over stayed my welcome I went to a smaller cloud further up wind.
Parked looked again for GHassan and that was it... all could see was grey, then the vario started to scream luckily I was reall close to the edge of a really small cloud.
Incidently that was my highest alt. all of the day
6666 msl
Lesson learned
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dmslowpoke
Joined: 10 Dec 2007
Posts: 95
Location: Ohio
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Posted: Mon May 12, 2008 1:40 pm Post subject: |
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Great flight guys. Thanks for posting so us earth bound bums can enjoy too.Man it sounds like it was the day to be there. Steve has had 2 good days there now. If it's ok to say, MAN, YOU GUYS ARE KILLING ME!!!
Looking forward to flying with you all.
Dan M. grounded in Hilliard, Oh
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