Crestline Soaring Society - Pilot Reports

Marshall, 3-10-10

Ken Howells — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 19:55:09 -0600

I drove the first round, about Noon. Cloud cover 50%, light S breeze with thermals making it switchy; soarable at Marshall. Mike and Steve flew T2C 144s and there were five PGs from Oregon finally getting some air on their last day here.

At 13:00 cumies were forming actively over the mountains, 65% cloud cover. Wind SE to SW 3-10 MPH. No wind at launch, 13:20, with a hawk circling out front. Cycle came and I found lift where the hawk had been. The PG group arrived for another round and they wasted no time getting off the hill. I did a few passes with the Sport 2 155 over Marshall then went to Cloud Peak. Found 200 FPM lift right over the point and it went straight up. When I got to 5k MSL it was averaging 500 FPM and I saw a dome of mist way above me. Kept circling and getting very cold. By the time I reached cloudbase, 6400 MSL, at 13:30, the lift was averaging 800 up and the dome had become a solid cloud, so I ran SE to the edge and climbed about 100 feet up the side. The cycling gloves let most of my fingers go numb, so I dove to NE of Marshall full tight, full stuff; turned 180 and dove for the LZ. Flags at the LZ showed wind from the NW and I climbed in the thermal responsible back to 3500. Finally cored sink over the paved road and had lift all the way back to the LZ, where it was weak SE. Dove on in to an approach heading S expecting to land crosswind and running but it was nil wind on final so I flared and jogged a few steps.

Mentors

Brad Hall — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 16:06:41 -0600

To All USHPA members in Region 3,

At the upcoming Board of Directors meeting next week we will be discussing the Mentor program. It is our hope to implement the program nationwide this year. What the Mentors do is help newer pilots with the help and guidance needed to advance safely toward their intermediate and advanced ratings. Many students are on their own once they leave the care of their instructors. The Mentor program will provide a link to up and coming pilots with others in their community that will help with site introductions, peer reviews, equipment advice, and even the occasional driver. It is a great way to help our flight community grow and make new and valuable friends. If you, or someone you fly with, would be a good candidate for this position, please contact me before next Thurs am. I will add your name to the list of possible Mentors. You can get all the information on the program at ushpa.aero . Click on the "Learn to Fly" button and scroll down to mentors.

Some Luck Needed

Mike_Zeller — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 01:57:24 -0600

Friday 3/5/2010. Rode the McBus to Crestline. No sun with sky overcast by high clouds. Wind was upslope, just barely. Rob warmed his Tandem Passenger up with vigorous practice runs in the parking lot. He was a young man in excellent shape and together they ran down the hill when a tiny cycle trickled up and made full use of the ramp as they executed a solid launch. Not a hint of lift in front of launch, they disappeared from view below Billboard but soon became visible and after several minutes were above launch. Convinced soaring was possible, Lee, Marcus and I launched in that order.

Owen Morse receives USHPA Presidential Citation

Faiz — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 02:05:15 -0600

I think I remember the club regulars mentioning this last year, but you can never thank Owen enough. Now that the USHPA magazine is out as a reminder, congratulations and thanks again to Owen...for the exhibit at John Wayne, for free wifi and for being the O in Big O. In fact, thanks to all you all who make that stuff happen and apologies for not spending enough time doing the same myself. Soon come I hope...

Marshall, 3-2-2010

Ken Howells — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 20:31:07 -0600

Lots of clouds and not much wind down low. I flew Falcon 3 195s from the 750 while Da Boyz took T2C 144s, which I'm too big to test, to Regionals for flights 2,3,& 4.

9:30 - Cloudbase at about 3k MSL and shifting up and down, 95% coverage. Wind 1-3 MPH, SE to SW. Forecast said chance of rain by 4 PM. Waited out a down/cross cycle or two then had a good launch and sledder to a right hand approach and landed inside the PG circle.

Aerobatics Clinic

Rod_Clark — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 04:01:32 -0600

DesignbyDave and I attended an aerotow/aerobatics clinic over the weekend at the invite of RCDave. Our goal was to learn the art of aerobatic judging. RCDave and Dallas Willis are putting together a team of judges so we can begin having aerobatic meets again in the US. RCDave and the USHPA invited myself and DxD to be judges.

The weekend was generally enjoyable, with a great turn out of Nor Cal pilots, who all flew quite well. Tom Low brought his Lancair 325 and gave me a ride in it. We did 200kts 50 feet off the deck! Then at altitude we did two beautiful rolls. I've never been upside down in a GA plane before!

Lift! Lift! Lift!

Mike_Zeller — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 23:58:56 -0600

Lately it seems like if it ain't blowin' north its raining, but today was very nice. Lots of lift at Crestline and blowing pretty stiff.

King posted gliders mostly stuck around the ridge while topless gliders were already laying down marks for this years longest out and back prize. PGs launched from Marshall.

Temperature in the LZ and even at launch was quite pleasant. In the air I never saw below 50 degrees, but that was still a bit chilly for me. There remains a little snow in shady places between some trees but the camp pool is no longer frozen over, now its green.

CSS annual XC contest

rebardan — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 11:23:54 -0600

I am resurrecting Len's annual xc contest by offering up a 100 buck prize for the longest HG flight originating from marshall/crestline. Contest begins today and ends December 1st this year. Entrants submit gps track via this site as file attachments and distances calc'd by seeyou flight software. I'll qualify that my hundred bucks is for flexy flights either straight line or out and return. If someone wants to toss in a cash prize in for another class then thats even better!!!! PG, Kingpost, Single surf, H3, whatever.

The Gate From Hell (day two) Short but sweet!

whack — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 15:56:39 -0600

http://vimeo.com/9604340

The gate from HELL...

whack — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 17:13:05 -0600

http://vimeo.com/9529188