I didn't fly today, as did most, but I felt like I had just watching the gliders being worked by the NW winds up high and the strong West down low. The air seemed to be possessed by an odd combination of UFC, WWF and a touch of Glider Whack-A-Mole. I watched Andy and Kabir as they made slow progress towards Parma taking whacks, pitching, rolling and yawing. The cycles and gusty winds were coming from all directions at launch and it sent the rest of us packing and pouting...
In this next part of my post I’m talking primarily to newer PG pilots with limited experience. I observed some unusual flying tactics in the last couple days so I thought I’d throw out a few words. Santa Barbara is an amazing place to fly but it’s also a difficult place as well. When conditions are calm and winds are light flying from our two primary launches and making the primary LZ’s is easy. Winter conditions are generally a different story and it raises the bar with typical winds out of the North and Northwest that spill over the back bringing plenty of rotor with it. If the winds pick up and don’t allow you to get to the primary LZ’s, your options start to get very thin with all the power lines, trees and houses in the area. The last few days are a perfect example of that with seemingly good conditions on paper that turned ugly once we got in the air making it difficult to make the designated LZ. As I sit here writing this I'm still surprised, and relieved, that nobody got injured over the last few days because it could've easily gone the other way. Just last year I had a rotor experience down range in very similar flying conditions and hit the deck hard, but was fortunate to land in heavy scrub oak and manzanita that saved my bacon. I know several others with similar stories as well. There's no substitute for experience when it comes to judging the conditions for the day and deciding whether it's within your skill level to fly. Even at 500+ hours I still consider myself a green pilot with plenty to be learned about the weather. I’ll be the first to admit I still make bad decisions and now and then I find myself in situations that are difficult to get out of. If Mother Nature decides to give you a spanking it’ll probably leave a mark.
Here’s some rules of thumb reminders to inexperienced pilots when flying in stronger conditions, especially when conditions are cross and/or over the back. Cross conditions are unforgiving and you’ll be lucky to get away with just a slap on the wrist.
1) If the day looks great but you don’t see any PG’s in the air, only HG’s, there’s probably a good reason.
2) Before you launch have alternate LZ’s picked out just in case you can’t make the primary.
3) If you find yourself fighting a headwind to the primary LZ and there’s any question whether you’ll make it or not, locate your alternate LZ as soon as possible. Don’t be afraid to take the drift to a downwind LZ, it’s a lot better and safer than swimming upstream.
4) When flying in the lee, as we often do in SB, stay away from the top of the ridgeline (unless you’re high). I know it’s tempting but it’ll eventually bite you, especially when you’re low. When the North is spilling over the back try to stay out on the front points, generally the lift is better there anyway.
5) In cross conditions stay out of the canyons. Stay on the windward faces of the spines and follow the spines down. If you‘re coming up short to a spine upwind don’t push it unless you have too. Instead, fall off downwind to the windward side of the next spine and work it from there.
*If you fight the wind, more often than not it’s going to win. Instead, use the drift to your advantage.
I’m mentioning these things because I observed pilots in several situations along the range where these rules of thumb would’ve come in real handy in the last couple days. These reminders are part of our P2 training that we really can’t afford to forget. If anyone else has some helpful input please jump in.
I’ve been real lazy this year about photos, however, I have a few from yesterday:
http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/fllspdahd ... cd&.src=ph
**HAMMER – nice flying the last couple days, you make it look too easy.