Southern Arizona Hang Glider AssociationGunter and I arrived Wed. evening at Bishop. Lucky us we were invited To Kari Castle's birthday party which gave us time to meet some locals. The next morning we met Martin Ginsberg and headed out with local pilot Wayne Sayer to a site called Mt. Tom. The site is in a protected part of the valley, combination drive/walkup at the base of a 14k foot mtn. Very stable day with little to no thermals( except for that one dust devil-yikes) Wayne and Martin got up on some very light lift while Gunter and I dusted from the 1200' site. Friday morning the front was quickly bearing down on us withstanding lenticulars over the Sierra's. Determined to fly we headed out to a site called Mcgee's near Crowley Lake. A drive up 3000' site. A rather large group of desperate men. Martin was handing out suckers which seem appropriate. The wind was cross and light, lenticulars over head with midlevel clouds streaming from the west (the launch was east), virga on the range across the valley. Everyone hucked off except Martin and I and the Guide. The risk vs. benefit for a sled ride didn't look good. We ended the day with wine and a soak in the local hot springs. Today was forcasted blown out and we took heed. A 25mph gust hit us as we left the valley early this morning. It howled all the way until we arrived at Marshall. Blowing in briskly but doable. Gunter and Joe Webber were first off and showed it to be very smooth and soarable. Lot's of pilots milled about but eventually started to launch also. I finally got up enough nerve after seeing others getting dragged at launch but no one ever getting blown over the back. I had a good launch and sure enough it was smooth. One interesting moment was when I started circling my first thermal in front of launch.I saw this other pilot make a beeline to my position to get some of the lift? I don't know why since there was abundant air out there. None the less I trusted my gut and was very wary of him. He ended up intercepting my flight path perfectly ofr a midair. I slammed on the brakes of my 360 just in time for our wingtips to touch each other. I should get Turkey of the Month because all I could say was "Hey". Inside I wanted to say more. He moved on. Gunter and I both got over 2 hours of mixed thermals and ridglelift. Finally a rewarding flight. Tomorrow we aim for Torrey Pines and home. Cheers.
Todays forecast was
Report from California
Moderators:ioan, John Wolfe, aaroncromer, jlowery
Pacific Coast Toast
Every time I fly in Cali, I am amazed how disrespectful the other pilots are. Nobody follows the right of way rules. They fly the same way they drive.
I'm glad you escaped no worse for the wear.
I'm glad you escaped no worse for the wear.
Torrey Pines Flying Report
Ross and I arrived early Sunday morning in San Diego. Winds were out of SSW. So we walked off our breakfeast along the Pacific Ocean, down town San Diego. It was a feast for the soul. Around 11am we headed to Torrey. Winds were still SW and fairly strong, but under 15. There were only a few HG and PG pilots in the air. Gunter launched first and flew for 45 min, south almost to the pier and west all the way past the radio tower on the other side of the Torrey Pines golf course. It was smooth sailing all the way. Ross launched a little while later and had a great flight. We both landed for a snack and a brief rest . We had a shorter (35 min). second flight which was just as great, but the airspace was getting much more crowded by now. At one point I was following a tandem HG heading toward the launching space, when he abrubtly turned 180 deg and headed straight for me at the same altitude. Seeing that he was not turning I instantaneously made a sharp right hand spiral away from the cliff , which almost went into negative and then came out of it very roughtly. I made my decision to spiral almost instantaneously since he was approching fast and I wanted to loose altitude fast. I believe had I procastinated, the results would have been different. So much for flying in crowded airspace with restrictions on how many pilots can be in the airspace in front of launch. Overall it was still a great relaxing day.
Gunter
Gunter
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E.C.
Torrey Pines
How many and how often do you guys go fly at Torrey? Did any of you trained out there? Or just go out there every so often because of the nicer air/city? I am thinking of getting my P-2 out there then come back and fly with the locals in AZ. Getting my P-2 out there is mainly a time efficient decision on my part. Scott Horton actually recommended it. Any advise is greatly appreciated. I live in Scottsdale.
E.C.
If I happen to be in San Diego, I'll take my wing and try and get some airtime/practice time in at Torrey. But we, as a group, tend not to travel there to fly. Or, at least not often.
Torrey certainly would be a time efficient way to indoctrinate yourself into the sport. You'll get more kiting, launching and landing practice in a few days there, than you'll be able to get in a few weeks, or months here. The consistently smooth winds, grassy, gently sloping landing area- make it a nice place to learn to fly. You'll also get an opportunity to learn to fly with crowds (whether you like it or not). Dave and Gabriel Jebb seem to run a pretty good operation. Although, I had difficulty understanding Ki (one of their instructor's) accent, and I wasn't that impressed with the other guy that was there at the time last year. I was far more impressed with the instuction capability of people like Ken Hudonjorgenson (UT) or Dixon White (now deceased- not flying related), but his Airplay school still teaches, seasonally, out of Flagstaff/Merrium Craters. (or Scott H as well, if he didn't have that pesky day job).
Allen, a new PG pilot who lives in Patagonia, recently learned at Torrey and may give you some better opinions. I learned here with Scott, and just got my P3 cert done at Torrey. It's a much more efficient place to do multiple spot landings- as you can top land, launch and repeat!
Realize, also, that the conditions and environment at Torrey is very different than that of Arizona. So while you will learn some critical glider handling skills on the coast, it wont completely prepare you for AZ mountain flying. That's where Scott, and the rest of your new friends here in AZ come in.
If I happen to be in San Diego, I'll take my wing and try and get some airtime/practice time in at Torrey. But we, as a group, tend not to travel there to fly. Or, at least not often.
Torrey certainly would be a time efficient way to indoctrinate yourself into the sport. You'll get more kiting, launching and landing practice in a few days there, than you'll be able to get in a few weeks, or months here. The consistently smooth winds, grassy, gently sloping landing area- make it a nice place to learn to fly. You'll also get an opportunity to learn to fly with crowds (whether you like it or not). Dave and Gabriel Jebb seem to run a pretty good operation. Although, I had difficulty understanding Ki (one of their instructor's) accent, and I wasn't that impressed with the other guy that was there at the time last year. I was far more impressed with the instuction capability of people like Ken Hudonjorgenson (UT) or Dixon White (now deceased- not flying related), but his Airplay school still teaches, seasonally, out of Flagstaff/Merrium Craters. (or Scott H as well, if he didn't have that pesky day job).
Allen, a new PG pilot who lives in Patagonia, recently learned at Torrey and may give you some better opinions. I learned here with Scott, and just got my P3 cert done at Torrey. It's a much more efficient place to do multiple spot landings- as you can top land, launch and repeat!
Realize, also, that the conditions and environment at Torrey is very different than that of Arizona. So while you will learn some critical glider handling skills on the coast, it wont completely prepare you for AZ mountain flying. That's where Scott, and the rest of your new friends here in AZ come in.
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Guest
Morey,
Thank you so much for your input. That's really what I want to hear and further support my way of thinking. I did a PG tandem with Dixon last October at Airplay, and I did a HG tandem with Steve Stakeable at Torrey. I solo on trikes at John Kemmeries here in Phx.
I want to get into PG and HG eventually. Went up to Prescott a few days ago with a trike instructor to learn scooter tow with Greg B. A bit too much wind for a new guy. Time efficiency is the paramont thing for me and my family (a wife who is afraid of height and 2 young kids). I intend to learn PG at Torrey or at Santa Barbara for a week of a time for a couple of times to get my P-2, then Scott H. said he will check me out if I still needed be. Then I will meet some of the locals and learn how to handle the AZ air to save my soul.
I also intend to do the same thing with HG in San Jose, CA where my family resides. Living in Scottsdale and wanting to do these things are just too time involved and hard on the family. I don't have a problem to go out and learn and pay the extra associated costs. Purely a time efficient issue than a fiance one.
Ideally one wants to train, purchase gears and fly at the same place, but I just don't have that option and have some questions in regarding to this situation I am going to be in.
1. AZ PG pilots don't usually go out to CA such as Torrey to fly? It seems like a worthy trip like once a month or so especially when the weather here is not too co-operative. Besides, SD is so beautiful and so much to do and see.
2. I know HG is really a true bird-like flying and can fly circles around PG. I just want to eventually carry my PG and travel anywhere in the country/world and fly when weather permits. It may be only 100-200 AGL but that's enough for me if I am in a beautiful environment. e. g. this past summer in Rocky point, Mexico with the family laying on a beach with about 15 mph wind and the only thing I was thinking of and wanting to do is to spread a PG and launch up. To me a couple of hundred feet is plenty in that setting. Was I unrealistic or that's what PG is good for.
3. If I can be in touch with someone who had similar situation like mine that you can help me connect with is greatly appreciated. Whoever is reading this message and can give any kind of input is welcome.
Thank you in advance with best regards.
Warm wind,
E. C.
Thank you so much for your input. That's really what I want to hear and further support my way of thinking. I did a PG tandem with Dixon last October at Airplay, and I did a HG tandem with Steve Stakeable at Torrey. I solo on trikes at John Kemmeries here in Phx.
I want to get into PG and HG eventually. Went up to Prescott a few days ago with a trike instructor to learn scooter tow with Greg B. A bit too much wind for a new guy. Time efficiency is the paramont thing for me and my family (a wife who is afraid of height and 2 young kids). I intend to learn PG at Torrey or at Santa Barbara for a week of a time for a couple of times to get my P-2, then Scott H. said he will check me out if I still needed be. Then I will meet some of the locals and learn how to handle the AZ air to save my soul.
I also intend to do the same thing with HG in San Jose, CA where my family resides. Living in Scottsdale and wanting to do these things are just too time involved and hard on the family. I don't have a problem to go out and learn and pay the extra associated costs. Purely a time efficient issue than a fiance one.
Ideally one wants to train, purchase gears and fly at the same place, but I just don't have that option and have some questions in regarding to this situation I am going to be in.
1. AZ PG pilots don't usually go out to CA such as Torrey to fly? It seems like a worthy trip like once a month or so especially when the weather here is not too co-operative. Besides, SD is so beautiful and so much to do and see.
2. I know HG is really a true bird-like flying and can fly circles around PG. I just want to eventually carry my PG and travel anywhere in the country/world and fly when weather permits. It may be only 100-200 AGL but that's enough for me if I am in a beautiful environment. e. g. this past summer in Rocky point, Mexico with the family laying on a beach with about 15 mph wind and the only thing I was thinking of and wanting to do is to spread a PG and launch up. To me a couple of hundred feet is plenty in that setting. Was I unrealistic or that's what PG is good for.
3. If I can be in touch with someone who had similar situation like mine that you can help me connect with is greatly appreciated. Whoever is reading this message and can give any kind of input is welcome.
Thank you in advance with best regards.
Warm wind,
E. C.
Torrey training
Hi E.C.
I just came across your inquiry here. I totally agree with Morey on this. I decided on getting my PG2 at Torrey after having been an HG pilot long ago in the San Diego area with an appreciation for the glassy smooth and relatively dense air at the coast there. True, it’s not comparable to AZ flying but I think it’s perfect for training before transitioning to AZ flying. I felt like all of the instructors were highly qualified and good teachers, although some I found were not too humble or friendly. I liked David, Ki, Jason, and Tad the most. It takes some effort to understand Ki with his accent, but his history and experience with both HG and PG is so admirable it’s an honor to be his student. The P2 package is the most cost-effective one at Torrey, and you might want to allow more than two weeks there to complete it. I liked the flat rate because it allowed me all the time I needed to complete the requirements, so the marginal days didn’t add to my expense. I took nearly 5 months to complete the course because after the first week I was just coming out from AZ on occasional weekends. It is a terrific place to kite except that you frequently have to put down your wing for someone to land, but that steady breeze is just not to be found in AZ. I recommend only training on weekdays when it is not as crowded, and giving yourself a day of rest after every 3 days or so. The ability to top land greatly accelerates your number of flights; I had 10 of the required 25 flights on my very last day as a student there. By that time I think they were eager to get rid of me…
I also recommend Scott Horton whenever he’s available. I haven’t really been his student but he’s quite personable and generous with his time and pricing.
I look forward to meeting you some day. Feel free to call me any time at 520-604-0209.
Much Lift,
allan
I just came across your inquiry here. I totally agree with Morey on this. I decided on getting my PG2 at Torrey after having been an HG pilot long ago in the San Diego area with an appreciation for the glassy smooth and relatively dense air at the coast there. True, it’s not comparable to AZ flying but I think it’s perfect for training before transitioning to AZ flying. I felt like all of the instructors were highly qualified and good teachers, although some I found were not too humble or friendly. I liked David, Ki, Jason, and Tad the most. It takes some effort to understand Ki with his accent, but his history and experience with both HG and PG is so admirable it’s an honor to be his student. The P2 package is the most cost-effective one at Torrey, and you might want to allow more than two weeks there to complete it. I liked the flat rate because it allowed me all the time I needed to complete the requirements, so the marginal days didn’t add to my expense. I took nearly 5 months to complete the course because after the first week I was just coming out from AZ on occasional weekends. It is a terrific place to kite except that you frequently have to put down your wing for someone to land, but that steady breeze is just not to be found in AZ. I recommend only training on weekdays when it is not as crowded, and giving yourself a day of rest after every 3 days or so. The ability to top land greatly accelerates your number of flights; I had 10 of the required 25 flights on my very last day as a student there. By that time I think they were eager to get rid of me…
I also recommend Scott Horton whenever he’s available. I haven’t really been his student but he’s quite personable and generous with his time and pricing.
I look forward to meeting you some day. Feel free to call me any time at 520-604-0209.
Much Lift,
allan