Peterson Butte Flight report from Tuesday

[Bill Briskey]

Four pilots attacked the hill yesterday for an optimistic attempt at aviation.  The LZ sock showed south at about 8mph, so we headed up.  Once at mid I checked the Corvallis airport wind on the west side of the valley to find it steady at 10S, suggesting that we should see 15 at the butte.  However, it was now apparent that there was a SE flow on the east side of the valley where we were.  Factory smoke indicated the same.  And by this time the LZ sock showed west and it seemed like we would soon see the bullish south wind overpower the evil east wind, so I set up to launch.

I chose a likely cycle, as it was a little gusty, ranging from 5 to 12, pulled up and looked at the wing (but not the brake line right near the risers), then "jumped off the hill" (as we are said to do).  I experienced pockets of lift and sink from the start, which was probably texture from the wind wrapping around the hill.  I also realized that my right brake was pinched between lines at the mallion where the A's attach to the riser, a new experience for me.  Since I was not far above the trees and still near the hill, I made sure that flying the wing was my first priority and reached above the problem point to grasp the brake line and easily maneuvered away from the hill.  I hoped for lift and altitude so I could then see if I could free the brake, but I found nada.  So I headed toward the LZ and landed safely with no problems.

After repacking, I headed back up, and we all decided that the top was the place to be if we were going to have a chance to soar.  It was averaging about 10S and the windsocks at mid and the LZ both showed SW.  Mat launched first and showed us that there were few pockets of lift and that the air was pretty smooth out away from the hill.  Josh launched and didn't find much of anything close in, and they both landed after about five minute flights.

As soon as I started to step into my harness, the wind switched to SE with an evil, gusty vengeance.  I had to grab a wing tip if I wanted to keep my gear on this side of Interstate 5.  I've launched to the SE before from the top, but not in such aggressive conditions.  So after seeing that it was not a temporary shift, Andrew and I called it a day and packed up.  It was strong enough that we felt that it was prudent to help each other with bagging our wings.

It was an interesting day; not much flying but still a fun experience with like-minded folks.  We wouldn't have had any of it if we had stayed home.

--

Bill