Saturday from Skyport
Posted: Mon Feb 26, 2007 8:06 amApprox. nine pilots took the ride up to Skyport in the Eagel van on Saturday morning. Most of us were uncertain about what to expect from conditions--a beautiful clear morning, not much visual evidence of an inversion but no cloud development and increasing barametric pressure. As usual, Ron Faoro was first to launch at 10:45 or so in what appeared to be a good cycle--the first thermal he encounted, however, was above the power lines where he followed the ridge back up to the TF and about 3600'. I was next but 30 minutes later, just enough time for conditions to improve. I managed to ride the house thermal to 3500 over launch.
That started the treck down range with several of us toping out at 4100+ at the TF. From there we seldom saw 4000 again. A weak inversion at 3400 was often the ceiling, although from time to time we could punch through to 3800 or so.
Instead of strenthening down range, it seemed to weaken perceptibly until, at Castle Ridge, staying above the ridge line was a struggle. It was a gorgeous day to be in the air, however, less turbulent than is often the case. SA and OJ landed at the polo grounds, Ron, Andy Danesberg, Art, Dean, Tony Deleo and I landed at the Padaro Grill with Tom Pipkin driving retrieve. We were back to Parma in record time.
Thanks to SA and Tom Pipkin for the van. It's not often a retrieve vehicle is waiting at the Grill when the first pilots begin landing. Ron made a 3:00 haircut, some of the rest of us completed chores around the house that seldom get done on a flying day!
That started the treck down range with several of us toping out at 4100+ at the TF. From there we seldom saw 4000 again. A weak inversion at 3400 was often the ceiling, although from time to time we could punch through to 3800 or so.
Instead of strenthening down range, it seemed to weaken perceptibly until, at Castle Ridge, staying above the ridge line was a struggle. It was a gorgeous day to be in the air, however, less turbulent than is often the case. SA and OJ landed at the polo grounds, Ron, Andy Danesberg, Art, Dean, Tony Deleo and I landed at the Padaro Grill with Tom Pipkin driving retrieve. We were back to Parma in record time.
Thanks to SA and Tom Pipkin for the van. It's not often a retrieve vehicle is waiting at the Grill when the first pilots begin landing. Ron made a 3:00 haircut, some of the rest of us completed chores around the house that seldom get done on a flying day!
