Crestline Soaring Society

Third in a string of very hot (110F) and humid days with abundant moisture coming from south and east. Previous two days had serious gust fronts plus thunderstorms with lightning. Also 10K+ soaring and several long distance XC flights. I launched my Falcon 225 from Marshall at 14:41 after deciding I had a good hour before any gust fronts came through (faith!) and the drift was so fast I headed west before trying a serious climb. Hooked one at Regionals at 3700 MSL, good 300-500 FPM lift. At 5300 it stopped drifting so much and sped up. I had about 1300 FPM peak climb rate, a little like balancing on a beach ball, and left the lift when I got to 10,600 MSL; clouds were within 1000 feet. I descended a bit and enjoyed the spectacular view, but got worried about a large cell with a tall top over Moreno Valley, plus rain over desert, fire toward Big Bear, lots of aircraft - spotters and bombers low, and close helicopter at 8k MSL. Decided to top land before a gust front could come from Moreno Valley. Had to fight to get down to Marshall. First approach couldn't get low enough. Second approach I flew the glider with the basetube about 2 feet AGL until it was starting to settle; pushed out a little and rolled my body to lay on ground on harness. Too windy to actually flare, too bumpy to settle gently on feet. No blood, but a couple of scores in my right calf, mild charley horse in right thigh.

GPS track images and flight gory details on my website.

Good Flying,
Ken Howells

Marshall to 10K Quickie: 6,900 foot climb from Regionals to 10,600 MSL in Falcon 225.