More on PB
Ancil Nance
My flight was only 10 minutes, by choice, because I felt conditions
could get stronger (but did not) and I did not want to get closer to
the limit of my wing's speed. I may be light on my wing since most of
the time I had to keep speed bar in play. When I launched, conditions
were gusty (8 to 15 from the south). 12 is my usual opt-out speed, so
for me to even launch was out of character. I usually opt to fly when
sinking out rather than blowing back is possible.
I admit to being a "coastie," and this was not what I call smooth
conditions, keeping me too busy to relax and enjoy the view (which
was wonderful). A little bit less gust factor and it would have been
more fun. Wind was consistent over the altitudes we were in, except at
the 700' hang launch some gusts to 18 and 20 were noted. At the 1200'
launch my Hall wind meter showed 8 to 15. Just a bit more wind
strength would have put me too close to the edge of uncomfortable; as
it was it was simply annoying. I annoy easily.
Landing was assisted by a lull as I was able to come to the saddle
without any fuss. After I landed Dave grabbed a wing tip that began
hopping around, but the gusts were not much over 18.
As many pilots chose not to fly as flew, which was a remarkable show
of good sense.
pch...@comcast.net
I had original plans to go to Peterson Butte on Sunday, but instead opted to go to Bald Butte. I never made it to Bald Butte because the wind was WAY too strong and gusty just S of Hood River, so I detoured to fly some RC sailplanes at this site:
http://www.passoaring.us/sites/site_lumber.htm
Winds were extremely strong and gusty. My estimate would be 25mph with gusts to 35 or so. Flying the RC's was just on the edge of being fun vs nerve-wracking. At one point a gust flipped the model completely upside-down.
Were the winds just as strong at Bald Butte?
Tom N
of good sense."
Ancil,
I have a lot of respect for you, but this statement looks like you are
saying those who decided to fly were not showing good sense, and if
that is your intent I take offense at the implied public insult.
Your experience was significantly different from the rest of the
pilots who flew (gusty, rough edges, needed speed bar most of the
time) and you are probably right that you were light on your wing and
if so for you it was the right decision. You did launch,and that was
your decision after evaluating conditions and watching three of us in
the air. We launched after evaluating the wind with both your and my
wind meter, noting the cycles and deciding it was acceptable. After
the first launch, we each evaluated again, and after my launch, again.
We three other pilots discussed it after landing and did not find the
characteristics you did, overall except at the hang launch. It may
have been partially because you flew lower and out forward and stayed
around the hang launch where conditions were a little more active, but
from our launch upward that was not the case. I also hasten to add
that I am mid-weight on my wing and do not fly the coast very often.
If your statement actually meant that many people evaluated the
conditions and made individual, informed decisions - which was the
remarkable show of good sense- I am in agreement. That is how I
understand the sport is supposed to be approached.
Thanks in either case, it was nice talking to you at the site.
Tom
Tom N
-----Original Message-----
From: Steve Forslund [mailto:skf...@effectnet.com]
Kinda thin skinned did not sound like an insult to me....
I shouldn't read these late at night while tired. I tried to mitigate
the possibility of being thin skinned with the last couple sentences,
but you are probably right.
If I took it wrong and I insulted YOU, Ancil, my apologies.
Tom
Ancil Nance
fly in faster conditions than I want to, and I was only saying that
the 5 or 6 pilots who did not scramble up the hill after us were
showing good sense because they were getting readings of 18 and 20 at
the 700' level. Flying closer to the edge leaves less room for error,
it does not mean it is less safe to fly. I like to err on the side of
having to sink out rather than the other way around. I have seen
conditions at PB go both ways from "doable" starting points.