Thread: July 4th holiday, 2009

Any flying plans for the weekend? Looks like the weather is going to cooperate for our flight from NC to Lake Erie (OH) to visit family. I'll take 3.5 hours in the CT vs. 9.5 hours on the road any time.

Yesterday, we flew from the SC coast to just south of Lake Erie on the PA side. Was beautiful through the Carolinas and Virgina, but had to do a little bobbing and weaving around the clouds when I got to PA. Very smooth the whole way, though. My trip was five hours in the CTLS vs 12 hours in the car.

Where do you cross the mountains? I keep looking for better (less bumpy) routes across the Blue Ridge. Yesterday, I tried crossing between Blacksburg VA and Beckley WV and it was much better than my previous crossings further north.

My CT is down with a transponder problem; I could have rented one while mine's in the shop but didn't want to pay $300(!) for the rental.

So I will be truly be celebrating freedom by flying without the engine in the sailplanes. Lift should be good here with 100+ heat (680 fpm thermals topping out at 9000 ft expected today).

Doug

Originally Posted by Pawlander

Yesterday, we flew from the SC coast to just south of Lake Erie on the PA side. Was beautiful through the Carolinas and Virgina, but had to do a little bobbing and weaving around the clouds when I got to PA. Very smooth the whole way, though. My trip was five hours in the CTLS vs 12 hours in the car.

Where do you cross the mountains? I keep looking for better (less bumpy) routes across the Blue Ridge. Yesterday, I tried crossing between Blacksburg VA and Beckley WV and it was much better than my previous crossings further north.

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From Raleigh, NC, we take the lowest Appalachian elevations (3200') that I've found by going through Pulaski, VA and Beckley, WV. We went to Lake Erie (northwestern Ohio), but returned tonight. My wife had to get back, and the weather looked a little questionable for tomorrow coming through the mountains. Had headwinds all the way up on Thursday and tailwinds most of the way back tonight.

Weekend roundtrip Phoenix-Las Vegas was wonderful, if not a bit warm. A/noon temps 105-108, but the mornings were great flying. Oil temps to upper-green on climb, but came down nicely during 6-7K cruise. Sat on the 2nd story restaurant/bar patio at Henderson Executive airport and saw dozens of fireworks displays from all across Vegas. Nice.
Tim

Great soaring on the 4th, celebrating flight without an engine. Cloud bases were 6500 to 7000 MSL and the puffies were closely spaced and had good lift. Work a thermal to 500 below the cloud base, pitch down to speed to fly towards the next cloud, repeat. After an hour of this, I had to turn the glider over to the next person (I was using a 2-place club ship, getting ready for my commercial checkride). Airspeed to 80kt, some nice 2g steep turns to loose a little altitude, then roll level, airbrakes fully out and back to the field.

There are very, very few places in the world where we are this free to fly, and I am glad that I have this freedom.

Doug