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SkyPort

From: Trifko
Activity_Date: Mon 1/28/02
Remote Name: 4.33.232.119

Comments

Amazing day...

Nick and I headed up the Gibraltar road... last stop - SkyPort.. 5-6 hangies are rushing up to spread their wings. We met at the launch with Chad, Lien, Dan and one other pilot (can't remember his name at this moment). There were some nice and strong cycles, coming up to the hill, but a little bit to west. We are all anxious to punch-off from the hill after watching one HG taking off and flying in the very bad sink. Than the sky OD. Chad was patiently waiting for sun to break trough the cloud layer. My sixth sense was telling me that I should get ready to take off after Chad. You could see rain approaching fast. Than the sun finally burned trough the clouds. Chad launched in the good cycle and headed straight toward AF-TF. I spread my wing with the little help of my friends. Launched in good cycle.

Vario was beeping all the way to the TF (I think that's the name for that spot before the by-pass). Chad was already scanning area for a good thermal and couth the good one. I was a little bit surprised by the wind speed so it took me 5 min to locate a good thermal. Then really good lift. Reached 4000 ft + ... I saw then (can't believe), snow forming right below cloud base. I always wanted to see this as a kid, how the snow is falling right from the cloud. Whishes come trough really :)  20 min in to the flight I couldn’t feel my fingers. That moment I wished for a really good pair of skiing glows. Headed down the range after Chad. You can really see miles away his yellow wing.

Day was developing really fast. I can see from 4300 ft some HG scratching for some lift low, below me, heading toward Ojai. I didn't plan this mini cross-country flight today. Also my fingers have already convinced me that I should give up on that crazy idea to follow them to Ojai. Instead I turned my wing in Chad's direction. He was heading away from the range closer to the ocean. I cought up with him right after Polo fields. Both of us were fishing for some thermal activity. Wind was getting really crazy. 10-15 min later Chad headed for a landing at the Polo field (I believe so). I punched my speed bar to the metal. But no use. I couldn't penetrate the air faster than 3-5 mile/h ...

At that moment I was sinking toward orange trees down below me... and ironically enough the nice clean LZ was just about 30 yards in front of me. I was very aware of my position. 30 min before I have scanned area for a possible LZ. 350 ft AGL I turned down the wind to land on the clean peace of private property some 300 yards down the wind. What a speed! I have landed perfectly. 5 min later the landowner was waiting for me, with a gun (just kidding). With his wife. He walked me to the foothill road. Really nice people. I called Nick to pick me up. Chad showed up a 5 min later and offered me a ride. Hi was going to pick up some pilots from the Ojai. He gave me directions for Nick, how to get there (where I was). 15 min later I was driving toward SB talking to Nick about my Amazing 9 mile flight. Cross-country is really nice and rewarding challenge. I'll need to prepare a little bit better than flying in my jeans and some 10 year old copy of spitfire jacket. Don't want to mention nice Glows to. I want to thank you all, for making this day an excellent flying experience!

Dragisa Trifkovic, Trifko

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