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Flight Articles from Wednesday, 3/15/06 (in order of posting time stamp)
[Andy Palmer] [Ron Meyer] [Dean Stratton]

Dean Stratton
Wednesday, 3/15/06
Skyport Past Piru
~ 55 miles (~ 31 LFSD points)
[photos]

Well, there weren’t any records broken on this day.  If it wasn’t for the 7-8 mph SE component that we fought all the way to Whiteledge we may have had a better shot at something big.  Yesterday’s flight wasn’t magical and the conditions were definitely not ideal.  In fact, the conditions put most of the pilots on the deck early with all the sink and turbulence.  Unfortunately Ron, who was with us, got caught in the kitchen sink as well.  Andy and I somehow managed to avoid an early land out but we certainly had our share of getting knocked around in some nasty, trashy air.  I’m sure Andy would agree that the flight was rewarding but it wasn’t a whole lot of fun.

Once the day got rolling we had very strong climb rates and it continued all the way to the Topa Bluffs.  The problem was that it took so long to get there that the conditions were deteriorating soon after.  In the end I put it down at 54.5 miles, about a mile further than last week.

Once again my goal of Magic Mountain has eluded me but I figure if I just keep pounding my head against the door it’s going to open at some point.  My realistic goal is the run from Skyport to Magic Mountain (approx. 62 miles); however, my ultimate goal has always been to fly from Skyport to my house in Valencia.  Ever since the first time I went through the pass I’ve wanted to land in the park across from my house which is 65.5 miles.  I’m hoping that if the day is working well enough to get to Magic Mountain it might be good enough to make it to my house being only a few miles further.  Of course, if the day is working good enough to get to my house, maybe it’ll be good enough to break the site record currently held by Truax at 69 miles.  You’ve got to set the bar high, right?

Now that I’ve been through Fillmore and Piru several times I’m starting to understand that breaking the site record will be no easy task and will definitely require extremely cooperative weather.  I’ve heard Deleo, Truax and Pipkin say before that the game doesn’t really get started until you hit Fillmore and I couldn’t agree more.  The better part of the flying day is spent getting through SB and Ojai, so once you hit Fillmore the climb rates will begin to drop off as the day begins to wane.  If that isn’t enough the terrain drops off as well.  As you can see from the photos that I usually post the usable terrain gets lower the further you push up the 126 corridor.  Most of the terrain ranges from 700-1200’ AGL, not a lot to work with.

One other problem that comes into play is the prevailing onshore West winds that venturi up the 126 corridor.  So once you hit Fillmore you’ve got the back side of the day and deteriorating conditions, much lower terrain to work and 15+ mph winds that make working the late day, light lift difficult.  As was the case yesterday, you have to exercise plenty of patience.  For me, that’s a problem because I’m generally not a patient person.

If there’s one thing paragliding has done for me it’s taught me patience.  Most of the thermals that you’ll be lucky to catch from Fillmore on will generally be light with plenty of drift, fortunately you’re drifting in the right direction.  For those of you reading this that haven’t flown into Fillmore and beyond but want to, my best advice is to exercise plenty of patience, take whatever lift you can get and never give up.

I’m sure I've bored a lot of you expecting a detailed log of the day but I thought I’d take the time to pass along just a little info to those that would like to fly this route but haven’t had the opportunity yet.

The flight of the day definitely goes out to Andy for his first run through the pass, congratulations Palm Pilot!  I tried to get Andy to celebrate with me and have some ice cream back in SB but he wouldn’t join me at the trough.  Oh well, more for me!

My condolences go out to the hangs that waffled and eventually decided not to fly.  There’s no doubt you guys would’ve made it out to Magic Mountain.  The day was definitely better suited for a hang glider.  The rabbits were on course but no sight of the greyhounds, where were the greyhounds?
Score: Rabbits 2, Greyhounds 0 (For the record, I’m keeping score…) Contest runs from 3/15 - 3/18/06

If I haven’t bored you enough yet, the photos will absolutely put you to sleep.  They’re mostly showing the route and conditions, nothing exciting.
[photos]

I just got off the phone with Pipkin and he said the conditions he was seeing along the range from his vantage point in Ventura looked better than yesterday.  Maybe we'll have some good stories from today on the board tonight.  One more thing; Ron suggested we get a Topa Trophy Girl and I'm liking that idea.  Maybe Bob Hurlbett can tell us if we have enough money in the club account to purchase a Trophy Girl that can give a big wet, sloppy kiss after our flights?

Flight Articles from Wednesday, 3/15/06 (in order of posting time stamp)
[Andy Palmer] [Ron Meyer] [Dean Stratton]