Southern Arizona Hang Glider AssociationHello all. I am new to paragliding in the Tucson area, and would love to go fly this spring. Thursday or Friday evening anybody? I hiked the Box Canyon site today - beautiful light cycles up until about 12:30pm, then too strong for me. Fairly consistent from the SW. I'm guessing it dies back down in the late afternoon? Winds aloft look light/variable for tomorrow. Thanks!
Phil Schneider
P2
520.275.3084
weekday flying
Moderators:ioan, John Wolfe, aaroncromer, jlowery
Welcome Phil!
Hope to meet you at our club meeting. Next one is Tuesday, March 8th. 7:30pm at the Pizza hut on North Campbell.
Looks nice and light for the next couple of days, but with the potential for rain/storm conditions. Gunter would be your weekday man- as he no workie no more 'cause he's too old.
Somedays it mellows as it gets towards sunset, other days the wind actually picks up as you get near sunset, and creates a terrific glass-off, or a blown out one.
On the downside, Box, as you have seen, is a rugged and dangerous site. We have a very poor safety record here, especially with pilots unfamiliar with our terrain and condition types. This isn't by any means to imply that you shouldn't go, or that you're not good enough (heck, I'm not good enough), just an encouragement to be really careful, and to take the site seriously.
Now, Gunter is one of those really skilled pilots, so he hikes up 1/3 of the way to the first knoll, launches, and flies the rest of the way up. The rest of us make the grueling hike to the top- which gives us plebes a 10 times better chance of staying in the air. YMMV
Hope to meet you at our club meeting. Next one is Tuesday, March 8th. 7:30pm at the Pizza hut on North Campbell.
Looks nice and light for the next couple of days, but with the potential for rain/storm conditions. Gunter would be your weekday man- as he no workie no more 'cause he's too old.
Somedays it mellows as it gets towards sunset, other days the wind actually picks up as you get near sunset, and creates a terrific glass-off, or a blown out one.
On the downside, Box, as you have seen, is a rugged and dangerous site. We have a very poor safety record here, especially with pilots unfamiliar with our terrain and condition types. This isn't by any means to imply that you shouldn't go, or that you're not good enough (heck, I'm not good enough), just an encouragement to be really careful, and to take the site seriously.
Now, Gunter is one of those really skilled pilots, so he hikes up 1/3 of the way to the first knoll, launches, and flies the rest of the way up. The rest of us make the grueling hike to the top- which gives us plebes a 10 times better chance of staying in the air. YMMV
Thanks Morey, and welcome Phil. Yes, I'm the old fart in the neighborhood (ie. retired), but the problem is that I'm busier than most of you working folks and because of my love for flying will fly in conditions stronger than is recommended for P2's and P3's. As Morey mentioned our sites are not exactly nice easy sloping launch sites.
Tues, Wed, Frid, = golf, thurs - Bowling / dinner. This Sat working at "Tucson Open- Golf" . That leaves Sunday, wind direction OK but 11 mph in valley = 17 -18 at lower launch. Around here it's right wind velocity, wrong direction, or right direction , wrong velocity. This time of year it's usually wait and see last minute. I usually post my flying intentions the night before and update the following a.m. Please call me anytime on my cell phone (520-906-0182) if there's a chance to go flying. Flying is usually my No. 1 priority. Look forward to meeting you . Gunter
Tues, Wed, Frid, = golf, thurs - Bowling / dinner. This Sat working at "Tucson Open- Golf" . That leaves Sunday, wind direction OK but 11 mph in valley = 17 -18 at lower launch. Around here it's right wind velocity, wrong direction, or right direction , wrong velocity. This time of year it's usually wait and see last minute. I usually post my flying intentions the night before and update the following a.m. Please call me anytime on my cell phone (520-906-0182) if there's a chance to go flying. Flying is usually my No. 1 priority. Look forward to meeting you . Gunter