[Amigo] > [Skippy flight index]

Anne-Odile Thomas Flight Log Index (aka Skippy)
Sunday, 4/9/06?

This is what most pilots did today, after driving up to a low cloudbase, thinking it would be a waste of a day... Boy, were they wrong... Only a few hung in there.

First to launch today was JR (from his private launch) who milked it, but was probably a bit too early.  Then Scottie from the Bypass when cloudbase lifted enough for him to go for it.  Little John followed suit from the Rock, and joined him up to the heavens.  Tony the Tiger, not wanting to be left out, also launched from the Rock, and soon was circling above us, catching up to those guys at cloudbase.  This is when most pilots left, except DD, Mark and I, who decided to give it a shot at the Eliminator, hoping it would open up enough for us to launch.

We set up in the clouds, but the heavens soon opened up for us, and we were able to get off.  I then had a magical flight, hanging out in the whispies for 1+ hour and then landing at East Beach.  It was sooo smooth out there, and so much fun.  One of the highlights was my out climbing Scottie at the Antenna Farm (Ha!), before he out glided me, of course, at 50+ mph. I also followed him out to the TF where we caught up again, and thermalled wing tip to wing tip.  That was pretty awesome for me to fly with him, as it doesn't happen too often.

I also hung out with a young peregrine falcon between the Antenna Farm and Parkers.  He was really playful, showing me his talons, and then diving off again.

Bo joined me after a while but I then headed off to the beach, where Tony picked me up.  I then drove for him back up to launch for a 2nd flight.  Hammer and Greg also showed up, trying to make up for earlier in the day.  Jim Maddox and Irene also flew, as well as a couple of other PGs.  Hammer and Tony didn't launch until 5pm (yes, 5pm), and went straight up to cloudbase...

As I drove down, I saw the same falcon at the same spot, and told Tony to keep an eye out for him.  Sure enough, he joined Tony at the AF, and also played with him... Nice!  All in all, a fantastic day... It was probably soarable all day.  Scottie had the flight of the day, flying for 4 hours, up and down the range, and also over town.  Hopefully, he'll write up about it.  We were all so stoked!  Skippy