8.30.08 XC!

When I woke up on Saturday morning to a constant stream of calls from fellow pilots, I slowly became hopeful for a good XC day. One thing was consistent amongst all the talk, it was going to be a Heber day. Cody and Dorothy drove down from Logan with Matt, and met Greg and me in Park City. I called Steve Rathbun only to discover he and his driver were already at launch. Everyone was finally on launch and setting up around 12:30 pm.

Once everyone was airborne, it was apparent the day wasn't going to be a disappointment. Around the launch area the thermals were rowdy to say the least, but once you were a thousand or so above, the climbs were strong and predictable.



Matt, Greg and Steve were out ahead of Cody and me. By the time I caught up over Coalville, Greg and Steve were low and contemplating an imminent landing. Matt ventured up Chalk Creek (Go to Matt's blog for more detail at mattsbigadventure.blogspot.com/) and ended up landing close to a gas plant to the east of Porcupine Mt. for a 36.8 mile flight.




Our driver Dorothy. It wouldn't work without her!!


Matt with his new U2

After Greg and Steve landed 22 miles from launch, I pushed toward the north end of Coalville where the beginning of a cloud street was setting up. I ran upwind slightly to position myself under a newly forming cumulus. Cody was bringing up the tail, and as I was climbing out it looked as though Cody would join Steve and Greg. Cody was unzipped and getting ready to land when he flew into a forming core. He ended up working the broken lift until it turned into a boomer that took him high and back on course. Meanwhile, I had topped out under the cloud at 18,000 and change and was heading toward Evanston. The lift was consistent, so I followed I-80 ending up at Evanston at 16 grand. I got my highest gain there topping out at 18,504 asl. Cody was in hot pursuit remaining ten miles or so behind. From Evanston I took the typical route over the windmills to the east and on to highway 189, where I turned more northerly following Oyster ridge to Kemmerer, WY. for a 95.6 mile flight. Cody landed just a few miles behind for a 71 mile flight. When I was a few miles south of Kemmerer, I looked NE, where last year Jeff O'Brien's route continued from there over some really desolate terrain. Jeff ended up with the new state record last year, 220 miles! It would have been nice to have Jeff or Steve along for the flight. Their expertise on this complex route would have been priceless.


Cody


Greg


Steve's driver Chickadee


Steve

All the pilots were quickly retrieved, thanks to Dorothy and Chickadee. Most of us ended up in Evanston at Don Pedro's. Can't beat a day like that!


Me on launch

More Dribble

Just some random posts. For starters, Saturday turned out to be another sled run day at Inspo. It seemed like it might have been a great flying day, considering the forecast, but sometimes you just don't get what's advertised! Flying is mostly fun, no matter how long the flight - of course longer is better.

One kinda crazy, kinda cool thing happened on the way back home from flying on Thursday. When I got out of my truck to unload Greg's glider on to his truck after driving home 45 miles from Inspo, I looked up at my glider with shock and amazement. I completely forgot to tie down my glider. It rode the whole way back to Park City with absolutely no tie downs!!

A few moire pics from the NY trip.


I was very tempted to make up a there I was story that would go along with this pic. I actually took this shot myself (at the Museum of Natural History in NY)



Melissa my Daughter.


Julie.

I spent Thursday on launch at Inspo, waiting for the wind to calm down and straighten out. After a week of following Jeff O'Brien's blog covering his efforts in Lakeview, and hearing about Steve Rathbun's 110 mile flight from Heber on Tuesday, I was eager for a good flight. Fellow pilot Greg and I set up in strong southerly winds hoping as the day progressed, better conditions would manifest. The wind did calm a bit, as I was able to launch around 6:30pm. I ended up with an extended sled run and Greg chose to save it for another day. Jeff's latest blog helped remind me of the uncountable awesome experiences I have had flying hang gliders. Every experience, even the not so great flights, add to the sum of my hang gliding career. It's been a rich, and continues to be, as Jeff put it - magic! Even the short seemingly insignificant flights.

NEW YOOORRRK CITY!!

Julie and I split for NYC last week for an extended weekend to visit family. We usually go every year. This year we went to a few spots we have never visited, one, the Statue of liberty.


An exact copper replica of her majesty's face. (found in the museum).


The Gal herself.

Some impressive architectural reliefs, mostly cast concrete, found in and around Brooklyn.











Me sitting on a bench in Harlem.


My famous movie maker daughter Melissa.


Doctor Julie with Melissa.


The flight home included a sunset that lasted over two hours, thanks to the real fast jet flying west. Weird!

Big Day at the Short Divide (for some)

Set up area at the Short Divide - pic courtesy of Matt


Friday turned out to be a big miler for Cody and Matt. I had a great flight, but ended up on the short end of the stick mileage wise for the day. The crew convened at the Short Divide around 12:30pm on Friday. Cody, Matt, Greg and I were set up soon after arriving at launch, as the south winds were picking up. On the way up, we were worried the high winds in the Salt Lake area would manifest in Plymouth. The winds stayed below 25 mph as the last pilot (me) got off the hill. Cody and Matt launched 30 minutes or so before Greg and I were in the air. As I launched, Cody reported climbing up through 13 grand and that he and Matt were turning down wind. They were on their way! Soon I was in the air and high enough to consider going over the back and on route. I was just below 13,000asl as I drifed over the back in strong lift. Greg had been feeling out of it before launching and ended up landing in the bailout LZ 20 minutes after take off. An hour and a half after launching, I was setting up to land north of Preston, Idaho, just around 30 miles out. I had an uneventful landing in a steady, smooth 20 mph wind.

Matt and Cody were crossing into the Grace Valley as I landed. Cody ended up with a 70+ mile flight. Matt went on to complete his longest (84 miles) and highest flight (17,000asl+) - without O2 or a vario!! We ended up with a time consuming retrieve, as Cody landed out in a remote valley. Stinker!


On route - pic courtesy of Matt


All in all it was a great day of flying. check out Matt's flight details on his blog - http://mattsbigadventure.blogspot.com/

How To Build A Below Ground Fire Pit

I chose to use a four section concrete design with rebar. 1) Weight and the logistics of setting the sections - each section weighs aprox. 150lbs, 2) Less cracking as the sections cure.




It was recommended I use a 5000 psi fire resistant concrete. I poured the sections dry with the minimal amount of water, as concrete losses strength as water content increases.





The finished sections in place (no easy task!), ready for the rock surround.

Friday Greg and I met up at Inspo with a couple from the Bay area, Adrian and Heather. They had never flown Inspo, so Greg gave them both the rundown on LZs, house thermals etc.. The soaring forecast looked great, but the wind was strong out of the south. Not good. We all ended up with slightly extended sled runs.

On Saturday I ran back down to Provo, hoping to meet back up with Adrian and Heather for a redo. They had car problems, so I ventured on up to launch solo. The wind looked perfect and coupled with the mornings positive soaring forecast, I was anxious to get in the air. Two factors were bearing on the back of my mind as I set up. To the south just past Provo, a significant cell was developing and ever so slowly pressing north. The other factor was the fire in Provo Canyon that over the past several days grew from a structure fire to a forest fire. Firefighting aircraft were ferrying water to the fire, so I was wondering if I should be in the air at all. I decided to continue setting up.

Soon enough I was on launch waiting for a good cycle. Immediately after take off I found a nice core out front that developed into a boomer! I topped out at 13,850ft. The canyon fire was less than a few thousand feet over the back of Cascade and was quite impressive from the air. After a nice jaunt over to Timpanogas, I decided the developing cell was moving to close for comfort, so I headed out over the city finding some of the strongest lift of the day. Due to the growing threat from the encroaching thunderstorm, I felt the need to get on the ground so I cored some sink and landed an hour and a half after launching.

An added bonus was having my truck waiting for me at the LZ, thanks to a friendly couple at launch.

House Guests

Yesterday I went to the South Side for a few hours. There was only one other hang glider pilot out. We waited for a while, finally launching around 11am. The air was buoyant and textured - but fun. After several landings and takeoffs the wind diminished a bit. I had other things to do so I packed up. The wind picked back up, probably soarable as I was pulling out of the parking lot.

House guests

The Crawfords 7.13.08

A hand held vid. Turning above the Crawfords.

Sunday started somewhat slow. A few of us debated as to weather or not to fly at all. Somehow we decided on the Crawfords up by Randolph, UT. Steve Rathbun, Greg and myself met Cody and Dorthy At the LZ around 1pm. Once on top, the conditions quickly went from maybe to lookin' real good - fast! Unfortunately, Cody was missing glider parts and consequently couldn't fly. However, He and Dorthy made up a great cheering section and was on standby to drive just in case those in the air were able to leave the ridge and fly XC. Even though it wasn't a great XC day, we spent 2+ hours in the air working fun thermals and just boating around in the buoyant air.

Today At Inspo

Fellow birds, Johnathan and Mike at launch.

I pulled my gear together and got myself on launch at Inspo around 2pm. It was blowing rather well as I pulled into the turn out, but as fate would have it, as I set up the wind died off and actually started puffing down. From time to time, a cycle would blow through, but nothing really strong enough to coax me off. The north pushed through complicating things further. I was eager to launch contemplating a north cross at 3pm when Jeff O'Brien called me back and informed me he wouldn't be flying. As usual however, Jeff offered me a ride back up later after my flight. A couple of bags, who had been on top when I arrived finally launched. They didn't find much to speak of, as they landed 15 minutes after take off. I waited, hoping for better conditions. 4,5 finally 5:30pm rolled around. Still not much! I decided to move back out to launch for the third time and take my chances. I waited through a long downwind cycle, when finally the wind switched up slope. I took the first little puff and was off.

The air was amazingly buoyant! I flew straight out and found little workable bubbles. They weren't to cohesive, but strong enough to maintain launch altitude. I noticed my drift was slightly south, so I made a be-line to the north ridge close to Provo Canyon. I was able to work the light lift coming up the north facing slopes until eventually finding a solid core that landed me at 10,000 asl. SWEET!! Patience is truly a virtue. I landed at 7:15 for an hour and some change flight.

Cool forward launch.

Time For Friends and Family

I just returned from a two week trip back east. I flew to Nashville for some business, and got to spend time with family there.

There has been so much rain in Tennessee this spring. It's typically green, but this year it's so lush.

I connected with a few old music friends I haven't seen in decades. I was invited to a cigar party at Tommy Coombs home. I haven't seen Tommy since the end of the last ice age. Tommy wrote quite a few classic Christian songs from the 70's and 80's. We were privileged to hear some tunes of Tommy's as well as Phil Keaggys at a party.


Tommy Coombs performing.


Cousin Glen, myself, Tommy Coombs and Phil Keaggy


Gene. Mighty proud of his stack of burgers

I was able to get out and do some hiking at Percy Warner Park most mornings while in Nashville. One of my goals while on this trip was to get wired into my GPS unit. Even though I've been flying with my GPS the last couple of years, there have been elements I've not quite understood. So most mornings I hiked, I brought along the GPS and set way points, created tracks etc.. It was fun.


My cousin Susan

After Nashville, it was on to Oklahoma City to visit my parents and sister. We had a great forth of July Party at my sisters. Liesa's next door neighbor bought over $2000 worth of fireworks, mainly aerials - impressive!


Now I've really done it - corrupted my own mother!

Now I'm home - ready to do some aerial work myself!!

Drillology 101

Quite a showing for a weekday at Inspo. I impulsively threw things together this afternoon and jetted down to Provo. I thought I'd be flying alone, but to my amazement there were six other gliders almost set up! Ryan Voight, Mitch McAlear, Dave Gibson, Dude and two guys from North Carolina made up the field. Mitch and Ryan were off before 3:30pm and had to work to get up. Finally their work paid of and they were out of sight.


Ryan Voight


Dude

I was the last one off. Most of us waited through a strong south cycle that lasted over thirty minutes. Once the wind straightened out, the remaining few trundled off like lemmings. I was able to maintain over launch and climbed to three hundred over. Because of the strong south component, I drifted north to a bowl that typically produces when it's south. I encountered zero sink and basically drifted with the marginal lift until I was across the canyon and had the primary LZ on glide. I landed after less than thirty miniutes. Most everyone else had longer flights. Ryan, Mitch and Dave got on Temp and and had great gains - 12asl+.



Dude making a South Side style landing.


Mitch lands after an impressive aerobatic demonstration - including consecutive loops.

The crew headed south to Milford Tuesday, with plans to fly a site called Frisco. I met the gang close to the South Side at an Iceberg burger joint. Jeff O'Brian and Steve Rathbun were there as well debating weather or not to go. After an hour or so the group was defined and we drew straws to determine who among the four would drive. Lucky me!

We spent the night in Milford. The next morning, as soon as we downed a hardy breakfast, we were off to launch. Steve talked the whole way up to launch, giving us advice about the wicked ramp as well as flight strategy. The ramp really was scary! It just extends out, perched precariously above the rocky terrain below. By the time Steve got through with the horror stories associated with the ramp, and once on top actually seeing it, he had our attention.


Everyone got off safe and almost immediately caught nice fat thermals. Cody had his highest gain ever, topping out at over 18,000ft! They made it easy for me, as all three landed close to the highway that follows the route.


What bored drivers do, while waiting.

Patience Luke. Not long after this pic was taken, the force took Cody to cloud base (almost). From 6/08/08


A few flights to note. Inspiration Point (Inspo) in Provo has been consistently great the past several flights. Sunday, June 1st started rather slow. The conditions didn't look that great. Steve Rathbun and I were the only hangs that showed up. There were an uncountable number of bags in the air and on the ground (literally), when we arrived. I ended up with a 2hr+ flight that yielded many gains over 12agl. My highest gain was close to 15agl. It was a somewhat easy soaring day, one just had to bumble into one of the giant thermals out front and turn! One of my first thermals landed me at 13agl, which I used to make my way north to Mt. Timpanogos. The air was quite a bit more textured close to Timp. It was an experience hard to describe. Emerald melt water ponds dot the backside of Timp and the recent snowfall freshened up the lingering snowpack. Beautiful! The air was exceptionally clear, which made for a great kodak moment - no camera. The odd thing about Timp is when you are looking east, the range looks so remote as though the terrain belongs in Wyoming or Montana. However, a glance west over the sprawling Salt lake basin puts it all into perspective. Steves flight was very similar to mine.

This past Sunday there were six hangs and a few bags that showed up at Inspo. Everyone got high and enjoyed a super clear spring day.

Squeezing It In

(Archive photo - Greg Billow at the Point)

Wednesday I had a nice flight at Inspo. Greg and I arrived on launch and was set up to go, when the wind died out. We waited - Greg broke down his glider, but I hung out for an hour or so and finally launched in a light cycle. Surprisingly the air was somewhat thermic as I gained a few hundred feet over launch. I drifted north to my favorite house thermal and climbed out to 700 and some change. After circling in the light lift for ten minutes or so, I was high enough to make my way over to the shoulder of Timp, climbing out well over 2500 in the creamy, buoyant air. I'm waiting for Jeff to forward a pic or two of my landing sequence. The LZ was filled with soccer players, so I picked out a spot with no kids and flew a gauntlet style landing. I ended up landing safely on my belly, thanks to my new set of wheels!


We've been getting the house ready to sell - gona do it again!
Here's a few projects I've been working on.


Our front entry door has been without strike plates for the locks since the beginning.


I built a custom jig and routed out the aluminum jam - carefully.


New set of stairs accessing out newly terraced side yard.

Saturday At Inspo

One of the strongest showings I've seen of hang gliders, appeared at the LZ at Inspo on Saturday. Jeff, Craig, Mark, Greg, Gary and myself loaded up and reached launch around 2:30pm. There were several bags on launch. After several minutes the bags were off and climbing out overhead. After setting up, we waited through several long lulls. I carried my glider out to launch and took the first good straight cycle. I scratched around and exhausted all known thermal generators. I ended up in the bailout LZ with a 15 min. flight. All the rest of the boys waited around on launch for better conditions. The air on launch got unpredictable. Throwing up a few dust devils, mother nature was intent on letting everyone know she was boss. Gary's glider got picked up and tossed down the hill. Greg got picked up by a dusty (hooked in), and had a scary pre-mature launch. Finally everyone was in the air and had good flights. Jeff and Greg topped out above 12,000ft. Gary, Mark and Craig did well, all landing in the big green LZ.