Crestline Soaring Society

Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Flight 895 >>>> 3 hours 30 minutes
Launch: Crestline >>>> Wind: S @ 6 then still then N @ 4 then S at 8
Max Alt. 12,215 Ft MSL >>>> Left lift to go on glide… Cloud Base at approx 15,000 ft.
Total Ascent 29,445 feet
Max FPM Averaged: 1,100fpm
Max Sink: 1,450 fpm
Mileage Logged on GPS >>> 140 Miles

This was a really nice flight. Dusty launched first and was at approx 9,000 feet. I launched next and Chris launched 5 minutes later. Chris and I were climbing out over billboard in separate thermals. Chris had a better climb rate so I dove it on over and we both past through 10K. Chris headed out front a bit and I stayed in the smooth lift up to approx. 12,000 ft. An Alaska Airliner Buzzed to Close for comfort and I thought I was close to cloud base until while banked up and climbing I could see Dusty on his Falcon at what looked to be about 2,500 feet higher (15K I guess). I went on glide to the east flying at about 45 mph with 150 fpm climb rates here and there. A bit of sink for a stretch had my Flight Level down to 9K over Strawberry. Soon nice 800fpm climbs and back to 12,000. Keller Peak looked close so I gave it a go. The air was getting really turbulent (= whimp) at about the point where Highway 330 was right below me and I decided to make a U-Turn and try for Cucamonga Peak. I spotted Kyle on an orange glider at about 8K below Strawberry Peak and it was interesting to watch his glide West with a birds eye view.

Myself and 3 HG pilots arrived at launch at 11:45. BIG day! Clouds were popping all along the range from Corona down to Murrieta. When we got there, the clouds were just popping behind the E launch. I watched a few and then got ready. I launched at 12:20 and worked the house thermal and first bump for a few minutes and slowly made my way up to 4K msl. (Launch is at 2900 msl.) I saw the cloud over to the west of the South Towers and headed for it.

Big fish in our pond

I arrived at launch around 11:45. Nice Cu Nims popping off the range from The E launch NW to Saddleback and beyond. There were haze domes over the Ranches and South towers. I launched into a 6-10 mph ENE wind at 12:15. Went left to the house thermal and was rewarded with lift. I fumbled around in it for about 15 min and got up to around 1K over launch. I pushed to the West where the center of the cloud was.

Wednesday, October 01, 2008
Flight 896 >>>> 3 hours 20 minutes
Launch: Crestline >>>> Wind: SW @ 11
Max Alt. 12,105 Ft MSL >>>>
Total Ascent 23,584 feet
Max FPM Averaged: 1,100fpm
Max Sink: 1,250 fpm
Mileage Logged on GPS >>> 109 Miles

Another great day flying with Dusty, Jack, Kim, Bruce and Dave. Lots of lift east of the cut-off 12K Max.

Dusty captured some more airline pictures.

One Fast Little Corporate Jet.