See Also Tuesday, 2/4/2020 [Weather] and Flight Articles by [Derek]  [Schuyler]  [Chris Lorimer] [Comment] & [Google Drive Photos]

Derek Musashe
Tuesday, 2/4/2020

Skyport to Muscle Shoals

Reference: [IGC Text Data File] and [Google Earth KMZ File] or [Ayvri Web Animation] pending?

Article Copied from SBSA Telegram Chat / last SBSA edit on 1/4/2020 at 9:07 PM

My experience of the day largely mirrors Heckman’s.

I launched at around 1:30 and was immediately feeling a west wind.  During the whole flight I was feeling wind that probably averaged 7 mph west, with lulls down to 5mph and peaks in the mid teens.  My top altitude for the day was a climb to 5k at Thermal Factory.

In general I found this day just oddly difficult, with incredibly disorganized and wind blown climbs.  I think I had maybe one climb the entire day where I was solidly in lift for my entire circles.  Strange for a day with otherwise decent altitudes...

I think the pilots that got out earlier and got downrange faster got better conditions.  Good on them for getting out in front of it.

Still a fun day to fly and a great training flight.  I really don’t like flying in much wind but today was manageable enough for me to still feel safe while also pushing my comfort level to the edge.  Glad I got to fly.

A big thanks to Chad and Pierson for the ride up to launch, and a huge thanks to Holly and JG for retrieving me from Mussel Shoals.

Also, the landing party put on by Mike Harrington and Willy was definitely the highlight of my flight!  So much fun sharing a ride back with the hangies, all of whom sent it today, crushing the January task

 [Top of Page]  [Home]