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

Logan's Comment on Chris Lorimer's Tuesday 2/4/2020 flight from EJ Launch to the Nordhoff
Initial Comment on 2/8/2020 / Updated 2/10/2020

In an email exchange between Tom Truax, Chris Lorimer, and Logan Walters, Chris asked for review and feedback about his flight. Below is Logan's response...

Nice job Chris!

You have been working really hard on your flying and it's obvious you are making great improvements!

I am very early in my own paragliding career but having gone over the pass in both directions a number of times, I see many decisions you're making as decisions I would have made at the same amount of time. Here are a couple things I have learned in the last couple years you might be able to take with you and make some small changes.

Often the first thing I do is check what kind of altitude I am getting and generally where is that thermal coming from.

During my climbs up I try to note any changes in wind direction and if any part of the climb becomes much weaker or stronger.

I note the drift and try to take that into account on my glides (I know Truax mentioned this earlier).
I pay attention to how much drift each thermal has, the stronger thermals will tend to stand up to the wind a lot better.

On glides I often allow the wind to move me around a bit and most of my longer glides have a curve to them as we normally fly up ranges with anabatic flow and wind aloft in different directions.

As the day progresses and then eventually turns off you need to keep note of the changes happening (climbs going higher / getting blown apart / high clouds coming in / cloud base changing / clouds dissipating / wind direction and strength / sun angle and aspect.)
If you start with a good clear image of the day it makes it easier to make slow changes based on conditions as opposed to being "surprised". Conditions will also help me decide my speed to fly (you have to figure this out for your comfort and glider).

Gliding is difficult and the more time you spend making small and large transitions the better you will get. Sit down with Tom or me and we'll talk more about your specific line from the Powerlines to Ojai, then more general about ridge / valley crossings (many times this is what makes the difference for pilots who make longer flights)

Wind and the Nut House.... lets go fly the nut house. I know you like to hike. I'll give you the run down that Truax gave me, and I think it works great. I have seen many pilots bomb out at the Nut House because they try something else. Unless you're chasing a bird Truax's method works so well and I have yet to bomb out there (I know it's coming though :)

So much to learn I hope you can pull something from the little bits I can share so far. There is always more information out there than we could possibly fly with, but I think we should share it all! The community just gets better together.

Logan

Kinda a ramble but you get the point. Sit down with a map and Truax or me.

Tom's Comments
2/8/2020

Chris, I’ve reviewed both of your flights to Ojai. Looks like you are flying well and mostly making good decisions. I do have some comments that you might benefit from, but they are more specific in nature and not so much generic, so it would be best to review with you on a computer screen, either in person or perhaps a web session?

The 2 most common ways to view track logs are via Google Earth and the Ayvri Web Animation. Both are useful. Google is useful for detailed review. I recommend the Google Pro Desktop version (not the slim web app). It is free https://www.google.com/earth/versions