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Flight Articles from Saturday, 3/4/06 (in order of posting time stamp)
[Sharon Sweeney] [OJ] [Ron Meyer] [Bob Peloquin] [Randall McCormick] [Andy Palmer] [John Scott] [Kabir] [Dean] [Mike Preston] [Scotty]

Randall McCormick
Saturday, 3/4/06
Skyport to Carpinteria Beach (Linden Ave)

What a weird day. I hadn't flown the Skyport in about a year or so, but Saturday looked like the perfect time to reacquaint myself: strong lapse rate, light and variable, post-frontal. But people ended up scattered all over the landscape from below launch to Whiteledge like so much litter in the wind.

I got up right after launch, but fell out of the lift when I turned away to avoid another pilot. After scratching in front of launch for a few ineffectual passes I ended up too low to cross to the thermal factory or Round House, and found myself in the position I hate most: sinking down into Rattlesnake Canyon with a SE wind. I was sure it was St. Mary's for me (if I was lucky). Taking Chris' advice I limped over to the Holy Hills with the last of my altitude, and not much hope. I've never soloed over the Holy Hills before, and wasn't expecting much--but surprisingly, there was some decent lift and I was able to work my way back up to 3000 agl. What a great feeling to be back in the game!

I crossed to the AF, got higher in some incredibly ratty air, then left down the range with 4200. The rest of the way was pretty straight forward going, though the thermals were punchy and erratic and bullet-like at times and you had to work for everything--but there was always lift when I needed it. I got to my max altitude of 4500 in front of the power lines, but the clouds were starting to move in and I could see that it would be tough going to make it with these altitudes to Ojai, and I was happy just to have made it as far as I did.

I bailed out towards Carp, hoping for the beach, but realized with my glide I'd have to settle for the high school. I was a bit disappointed. Then, just before the high school at about 1000 agl I hit some lift and started turning slowly in it. Five minutes later I was at 2500 feet. Sweet! Headed out for the beach and landed gently just behind Ron Faoro in the grassy field next to the State Beach. First time out to Carp beach. What a great day!

Can't wait to hear Andy's story...