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Tim Barker aka timobarker or Timmay
Saturday, 1/3/2015

Skyport to Brush (Top) Land at the VOR then Re-Launch and fly back to Parma

Article Copied from: http://scpa.info/bb/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=3125#p9277
Posted by timobarker » Sun Jan 04, 2015 8:12 pm

On Saturday an almost full van went to skyport.  Upon arrival the cycles were weak and it was ODing at about 3,000 - 3,200 ft.  Aaron was off first sinking like a stone in a pool to the antennae farm where he quickly soared to cloud base.  I was off second, got established in lift above skyport and left for the RR.  I too quickly sank out and found myself below and behind the tit, just as Aaron was soaring overhead.  I eventually climbed out on the last nob of the holy hills.

Aaron and I had set the task of top landing VOR, then relaunching and landing at the car.  We estimated that it wouldn't take more than an hour to an hour and a half.  Cycles were great when the ceiling lifted, but then it would OD again and we'd eek out zeros for a long time. I t was the same at almost every point.  I eventually arrived at VOR spine and started to work the lower spine above the rock pile.  I was making steady yet slow progress toward the top where I thought Aaron was waiting.  Then I notice that he was below me.  I guess he had a low save over the T.

Anyway, this is where the flight gets interesting.  I was thinking I should name this post peaks and valleys because, as I'm sure most if you are aware, that's life.  On the New Years, I had a peak and wrote about it.  It seems only fair that I also write about my valley flight on Saturday.

So there I was slowly making progress toward the VOR launch where I was excited to top land.  Aaron was just behind me and I couldn't believe we were going to make goal.... especially since the ceiling of clouds was maybe 20-30ft above launch or lower.  I guess I was so excited about landing there that I came in rather low, with little or no bailout option.  I was also heading down wind.  I thought I'd be able to come down wind, turn in and land.  As I was just approaching the last bushes before the launch, I hit a pocket of sink and realized I had two options, piling into rocky earth or scraggly bush.  I chose bush.  I crunched in rather hard and my glider swiftly flew over my head and landed in the next velcro like bush.  I think I stunned the three pilots that we're sitting there waiting to launch.  Sorry Bader.

Anyway, I walked away with all limbs attached and a full dose of humility and reality.  I think back on the moment before the incident and can't figure out what I was thinking.  Chances are I stopped thinking due to the excitement of making goal.  I've learned a valuable lesson here, maybe one that is obvious to everybody else.  It was to Aaron at least, as it was one of the first things he said about it:  Patience!  In our sport patience is everything, especially when getting ready to land.  Have a game plan, feel it out, adjust the game plan as necessary and execute.   I had a game plan, but I didn't feel it out.  Aaron, in his top landing wisdom made a pass or 3 before deciding how and where to land.  I'll be more patient next time to determine the best method.  There will be a next time too, because I think it can be safe and fun when executed correctly.

It took us over 30 minutes to pick the glider out and set up again.  Thanks Robin for your patience and thank you Stan and Aaron for all the help.  It took over an hour to get to the VOR, but only 20 minutes to get back to Parma.  It was a great day and super fun, minus that little valley!!!  Soaring the clouds was beautiful!!!! 

If anybody has any other pearls of wisdom about top landing, I'd love to read about them.

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