Southern Arizona Hang Glider Association
I met Eric in the Meadow at 1 PM, unfortunately for us his students had to be back in Tucson so we were without drivers or wire crew. We decided to give it a shot anyway, so up we went.
It was blowing in pretty nicely, although there were fairly long lulls in between those nice cycles and indications that the real direction was west or even a little south of west. I took off first and flew right into a ripper that shot me up over the top of the HG launch ridge in a matter of seconds. Once high enough I worked my way over to paraglider ridge to (carefully) test the winds aloft. It was blowing straight up paraglider ridge, and which side had the roter changed periodically. But the southwest face did get me back up about the time Eric was self-launching a WW Fusion, and I was relieved to see him safely flying over the HG launch.
I never got very high, maybe a hundred or so over the top of the PG launch. Eric got a low save around the first PG knoll. I couldn't even stay in the thing he was in, let alone circle in it. but he rode that gnarly little thing to 8000 where he eventually went over the back. I had a good time down low, and after an hour headed out to a good landing in the front LZ. He landed in the meadow after flying around in back a while.
I hiked up and recovered the truck (really worked for that flight) and recovered Eric and our equipment. A nice day but a little challenging, definitely a hot, high pressure June day.
John
Box Saturday HG report
Moderators:ioan, John Wolfe, aaroncromer, jlowery
Box Sat Hg report
That was a lot of fun, thanks John. I was surpised to be able to use so much of the mountains. At one point I climbed out to 8000 half way to Helvetia. Gliding back to the Pg peak took most of my gain. I even checked out the spine to the north towards the Burrels. You seemed to be hanging in staying aloft on the pg west ridge.I thought I might get to the lz before you.
That little thermal we tangled with took me to 10K over the back. I never found any real lift over the meadows or route 83. I enjoyed the 1.5 hrs challenge to stay aloft. It is sweeter when you earn it.
On a side note:
I spent 4.5 hours on the training hill with Dave and Joel. These guys are flying! Their enthusiasum inspired me to get some airtime. Good to work with motivated people. I love this sport!
Eric
That little thermal we tangled with took me to 10K over the back. I never found any real lift over the meadows or route 83. I enjoyed the 1.5 hrs challenge to stay aloft. It is sweeter when you earn it.
On a side note:
I spent 4.5 hours on the training hill with Dave and Joel. These guys are flying! Their enthusiasum inspired me to get some airtime. Good to work with motivated people. I love this sport!
Eric