Skyport Sunday

[Dean S]

With all the anticipation for an epic day launch was crowded. Plenty of familiar faces with a few new ones thrown in as well. The day didn't quite measure up to expectations but it was still fun. Some launched early, others late (myself included). Unfortunately, cloudbase was too low and the OD wasn't ready to give up any ground so most of us waited until close to 1 p.m. before launching. Despite the day's less than stellar conditions it still felt good to be back in Santa Barbara.

A few shots from the day:
http://www.pbase.com/fllspdahd/santa_ba ... 7&page=all

[Parma Chris]

Despite the day's less than stellar conditions it still felt good to be back in Santa Barbara.

I look forward to the day........ When on a “less than stellar day” I am flying with this view -> http://www.pbase.com/fllspdahd/image/86093520

Saw 4 of you go down range today… Nice flying boyzz. Where did you wind up? I could see it was Dean, I think Riss? And who else made the first journey down range?

[faoro]

Dean, Riss, Bob Hurlbett and I took the "low road" to Padaro Grill on Santa Claus Lane after launching near the last of the big group at 1:30 PM Sunday. We were as low as 2,200 feet after canyon crossings as we slipped downrange under the cloud cover. I was never higher than 3,300 feet until the last thermal on the ridge before the powerlines, where I hit 3,800 before the glide out to the beach. Bo Criss had made the flight to Carpinteria earlier in the day.

Dean worked the front points in the sun while those at the rear of the pack (me) were swallowed up in the last pulse of the day: the overdeveloped gloom and gray. Only after we landed at three PM, did the day open up completely and sun filled the front range.

Bo drove my car down from Skyport and picked us up at the beach.

[Rich]

I took off dead last (2PM or so) from an empty launch zone wanting to get to Parma for the first time flight from Skyport. Getting out rather low over the wires got good lift over the Antenna Farm and was well clear of the Roundhouse. Over Parma was at 2600 to 3600 parked, so decided to head to the beach. Nice lift all the way and ended up 1499 over the LZ and took some pictures to pass the time, heh heh.

http://picasaweb.google.com/richardharr ... N23SEP2007

[Jeffy]

Richy,
SkyPort Virgin no more...
Dude your NUTS breakin' out your camera phone while flyin' !
Schweet first flight from SkyPort.

[irene]

Nice job Rich! There was a strong convergence N/S on the way to the beach and I found it pretty turbulent myself ! I was going up over the beach and even pulling big ears was not always working to get down.
irene

[BobA]

Awesome Sept weather - had a great time despite the grey matter ! The cloudbase soaring was killer. Even scraped one off the deck below the Rock...climbed into the clouds above the Rivera. Caught the bucking convergence lift when the SW pushed through. Vario says max lift of 943 ft/min...

Pics under SB Season Opener

http://bob-shots.spaces.live.com/photos/

Cheers, BigA

[Tony de Groot]

Nice pics Bob. Had a nice flight too and was the first HG off quite early. Cloud base dropped and I was just crusiing around low but enjoying the clouds and plenty of lift. At Parkers I flew with Bo and one other paraglider pilot. Bo and I were going mano e mano toward Montecito Peak but Bo was mas macho as I flinched and then watched Bo peal away as I chickened out. Next time Bo I'll try to keep up!
I made at least six tries to get to Shadow or to Montecitio but kept turning back as I was uncomfortable going so low. I was hoping cloudbase was going to raise but it was taking its sweet time. Lane and I caugt a few choice thermals and finally got one high enough and made it to Shadow and then Montecito Peak. Of course as I got there Hammer was leaving....hey.. what about me. It started getting an even grey everywhere so I decided to take what I had and point my toes and put put back as Hammer was "disappointed" I didn't try for Romero.

Nice long flight and great opening day. Lets do it again.

Tony