mustang/box on Friday
Moderators:ioan, John Wolfe, aaroncromer, jlowery
I'm contemplating either Mustang or Box on Friday. Thermic activity is looking pretty sweet, and there's a window from 11 to around 3 where the wind is pretty much blowing straight in at Mustang. Can Box take a more southern wind than Mustang to launch?
-
- Posts:996
- Joined:Fri Aug 12, 2005 6:08 pm
- Location:Oro Valley (NW Tucson)
Yes, Box can take a more southerly wind than Mustang. However, the southwest launch on the first knoll of Box can be very dangerous when the wind shifts toward the west, as it nearly always does as the day wears on. The westerly wind tends to generate nasty mechanical turbulence that can be devastating if encountered shortly after launch.
I suspect this turbulence was a major factor in Gunter’s accident. Recently Guido found this same turbulence while soaring the southwest bowl, taking two collapses.
If you choose to launch from the southwest face of the lower knoll on Box, please take some time to analyze the terrain in the southwest bowl and visualize the airflow as the wind direction rotates from SW to NW. Then, construct your flight plan accordingly.
I suspect this turbulence was a major factor in Gunter’s accident. Recently Guido found this same turbulence while soaring the southwest bowl, taking two collapses.
If you choose to launch from the southwest face of the lower knoll on Box, please take some time to analyze the terrain in the southwest bowl and visualize the airflow as the wind direction rotates from SW to NW. Then, construct your flight plan accordingly.
Mustang tomorrow
If the wind window satys open for the whole day Jake and I may come out.
-
- Posts:996
- Joined:Fri Aug 12, 2005 6:08 pm
- Location:Oro Valley (NW Tucson)
I think I'll stick to Mustang. Wind is supposed to switch S-W-S in the morning, noon and evening respectively, so I'll get more soaring time at Mustang. Jake and Mike, you aren't going to have a launchable window all day, and the window might be a little turbulent for your tastes, so it's your call. I'd tell you to go to Box but there's not a lot of LZ for you at the S side that's free of ocotillos. And you should have someone there to show you the site. We need to find some more sites!
Ive been watching the weather today. It does look good after 12pm. However id rather see it look good all day long. Gotta make the most out of a 6 hour drive! Your right though, we need to find more places, preferrable several thousand feet higher! I am eyeing a 3000 foot launch up north, with a drive to launch and landing.
Right on Jake, I'm glad at least you got some good flights in on Wed. Oh, I asked some guys at South Mtn about speedflying Mingus. Everyone said it's a definite no-go. The bailout LZ is just barely within glide of regular PG wings. They said if you didn't mind landing on a slope with a lot of bushes it would be doable. There are also some roads you could land on. BUT they said usually there's a lot of sink down low so it would make for a hairy landing on a speedwing. I think we're better off doing those cliffs you've been looking at.
I'll probably show up at Mustang around noon tomorrow.
<a href="/http://s115.photobucket.com/albums/n283 ... 8094-1.png" target="_blank"><img src="/http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n283 ... 8094-1.png" border="0" alt="Mustang 5 Mar 10"></a>
I'll probably show up at Mustang around noon tomorrow.
<a href="/http://s115.photobucket.com/albums/n283 ... 8094-1.png" target="_blank"><img src="/http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n283 ... 8094-1.png" border="0" alt="Mustang 5 Mar 10"></a>