Flying Saturday

[David Cantrell]

I know everyone is licking their chops where to go fly, me too.

 

Saturdays forecast is looking easterly for a few places. I see four places that show good soaring potential.

 

1. Siverstar: shows strong thermals per XCSkies, a -6 TI and -5 TI after 2pm upto 8k ft.  Winds are easterly most of the day but turning NW after 3pm.  The thermal index (TI) look almost scary strong. I doubt 8K ft. is achievable because MM5 is showing an inversion at 5K ft. although it  is a weak inversion.

 But siverstar is showing the stongest thermals and highest altitude Saturday compared to Bingen, Baldbutte, and Cliffside.

 

As for wind strength, The forecast (WUG, MM5) don't show too strong 8-9mph, but the pressure differential between Yacolt - Battlground indicates winds could be on the strong side with a delta of .06 inHg. Typically the cutoff is .07.

 

2. Bingen: forecasts TI of -3 to -2TI upto 3K ft. winds look light in the afternoon with pressure differential of .02 in the afternoon indicating between cascade locks and Lyle, indicating west winds.

 

3. Cliffside shows a -2 TI, light east winds. possibly to 3k ft.

4. Kutch shows -3TI with NE winds, possibly to 3K ft.

 

I am up for Silverstar Saturday or even Kutch.  Will check the AM forecast.

 

Dave

[Bill Briskey]

I'm up for Kutch if that is the chosen one.  If the best option ends up in the gorge somewhere, call me Misery and someone volunteer to keep me company for the long ride from Corvallis!

Bill B

542-740-6546

[Tom]

Dave,

 

Post if you guys decide SilverStar (or Kutch) with the time, Please!

 

You can stop by my house on the way back from SS for a cold one.. 

 

Tom

[Richard Moren]

Were all eagerly waiting for the ever so faithful Cantrel weather wizard to inform us of the TI for today ;)

[Steve Forslund]

 You'll have to forgive Dave, he skewed up the forecast.

SF

[David Cantrell]

Forecasts sure have changed since yesterday.  What I see is Bingen or Cliffside providing the most rewarding soaring flights for a wide range of skill levels.  The winds are to be light ESE with to 4K ft.

 

1. Siverstart is showing too much east at launch in particular.

2. Kutch is showing an inversion below 3K ft. and strong winds aloft 15mph according to MM5 and XCSkies.

    The pressure diff only measures .01inHg. though. So winds in the valley could be light in the lower

     elevations.

3. CLO too strong and North.

 

4. Bingen:  WUG indicates WNW 7mph it is 3mph NW right now.  MM5 and XCSkies indicate 0-5mph ESE with soaring potential +4K ft.  The pressure diff between cascade locks and lyle is .02inHg east around noon to afternoon.

 

5. Cliffside is indicating east winds with .03inHg differential between the Dalles. MM5 indicate +4K ft potential.  XCSkies indicates light thermals (-2TI to 1.3K Ft and -1TI to 5K ft).  So, you would have to fly pretty efficient in a -1TI.

 

So, I am up for going to Bingen or Cliffside.  Am ready to go and can carpool. Suggest leaving by 10:30 to get there on launch by 12-1pm.

 

If anyone else has suggestion where to go please share with them.

 

Dave

503-806-6662

[Mark Sanzone]

Meeting Dave in Troutdale at 11am (TA).

Mark