been awhile, again

It's been a while since I've posted anything. I know, I'm lacking flying time or interesting things to post. The Alberta crew put on another Octowberfest this year. We all head to the Standard tow site and tow up. The weather has never really cooperated at this meet but it gets us all out. This year it was mostly newbies and few veterans. I arrived and set up my glider after towing Graham up. Rob was doing a few tandems so I towed him up a few times. On the last tow the wind switched 90 degrees and that was the end of the towing from that road. I packed up my glider and taxied Satier to the cross roads and towed him into the wind. After a thousand feet or so the wind switched 180 degrees and I was driving 100K just to spin off line. He was in a falcon and after releasing, couldn't penetrate and ended up in the middle of a field somewhere. That was my sign to get lost.....

A couple weeks ago I got a phone call in the evening wondering if I knew who the victim of an accident at Camrose ridge was. I knew nothing about it and after a few texts was informed of the guys name and that he had died when he hit a rock pile at the ridge. I recall meeting him at the tow meet but did not get to know him. He was a yearling that was just getting started. Had a few high flights under his belt and was looking to soar. The entire circle of friends here was rocked. I'm sure his mentor took it hardest of our family. I feel bad that I didn't get to know him but on the other hand I think I was spared a hardship and heartache. From the obituary it sounded like he was a hell of a guy who lived and loved life.

Last week the wind gods smiles at me the same time as I had no other commitments. Now that I am all by myself in regards to flying partners, I didn't need to ask anyone if they wanted to go. I loaded up the truck and headed to the ridge. The wind looked slightly light but was to pick up as the afternoon wore on. Once I set up the wind was honkin. No windmeter but it took a half hour to walk the hundred feet to launch. Twice on the walk, if I could have unhooked and not been cartwheeling in the wind, I would have. But when the wind quit gusting enough to unhook, it was also good enough to walk ahead and launch. I waited for a lull and launched. Instantly gaining a hundred feet. It was fairly rough in the air, gusty and a few thermals, one of which I gained 1500' over the ridge. I flew for an hour before I was wore out fighting the wind. Landed 50' away from the truck flying the base tube till my feet touched the ground. By the time I was packed up the wind was back down to barely flyable. Lucky timing. It was close to a year since I flew the ridge last. I wasn't let down this time but I'm owed some good flight there.



Good looking wind on the ridge


Pack up time.

Day 7 last day

Winds were a bit strong and from the sw. Short task was set to get everyone back for awards. 60k to the north. Ian launched first but blew it. I got ready and was in the air early.

The fires in the area intensified and the course line was right over 2. From the air I could see 200' flames, firefighters and choppers. I made it 13k short of goal. 10 were in goal with Jeff being 1st and mike taking second. Gary was last into goal but launched 2 min after the start window and only got minimum distance. He took it well.

It was a great competition and the organizers/volenteers did a fantastic job. I gained tons of experience that will help me in my future flying.
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Day 6

83K task to the north. Strong SW wind started up just as launch opened. GP piled into a tree on launch and was uninjured. Couple of ugly launches but all but 6 got off. I was one of those 6 that felt it was unsafe to fly and bagged it. At least one in goal that I know of at this time. A t-storm blew through last night causing at least 4 fires in the area. That caused a bunch of heavy air traffic too.
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Results day 5

Canceled do to unsafe wind on launch hopefully tomorrow is better
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Day 5

83K downwind dash to the north called. Gusting to 25K on launch out of the south. Lift forecasted to be the best yet but wind may be a problem.
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Day 4

125k task, no one in goal. Jeff was 10k short and lots littered in between. 2 blown launches. No injuries. Dust devils wreaked havoc on launch tossing a couple gliders around. Tomorrow looks better for lift but may be windy
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Day 2 results

Day 2 saw a repeat of day 1. Slightly different optimistic task of 80k but same stable air. I made it highest over launch height at 1100 over and when it petered out I did a dash into the shade to shoot for minimum distance but was short by 10k. Ross did a k farther than me. We were the only ones that shot for the task. Everyone else baled to the lz, which translates to another no points day. No incidents today. We are all optimistic that "tomorrow" will be better.
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Day 1 results

Day didn't turn on. Everyone sunk out. One injury, Peter from Ontario ended up with a dislocated shoulder on a downwind into the "crashpad". Everyone flew.
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Day 1

91 Km task set consisting of one out and return to the north, then another to the west from Savona launch. The overcast sky is slowly burning off and it's looking like a doable task.
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Practice day at the nats

Woke up to gray skies that turned to rain. Registration saw some optimistic pilots but alas the lift was canceled and everyone did their own thing. Some went to Savona to fly and it's looking like they my get to fly this evening. I'm just bumming around being bored. Tomorrow is looking good and this week is looking awesome.
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