First thought was to go finish getting my aerotow signoff but Brad called and they are going to the Craters.
HG at Box if I can find a driver PG if I can't?

Jerry

I doubt if i'll be going...i'm getting through yet ANOTHER flu bug
Got to love those kids and the whole classroom environment

I don't even know if i'm going to make the Cancer walk.

Hey Eric, or anyone else that might be walking the "A" tomorrow...if i don't show up, will you save me a med or large T-shirt (i already paid).
Thanks

Ray's still in Vegas... so he won't be there either.

If i don't see anyone...Be safe
Sherry

I'll be the "A" in the morning. Then plan on Box in the afternoon. . Surface winds look a bit strong, maybe launch real low. What do people thing about glass off conditions? Gunter

could be a few mph too strong, could be right on.
Looks like the possibility of some towering cumies as well.
I'll check back in the morning after the soundings and see if it looks better earlier, or to wait for the glass-off.

I'll have the weather on-line while you guys are walking the A and can keep you posted. Have your cell phones with ya'.

I've checked the NCEP and FSL winds for glass-off time this afternoon. Depending who you believe it's either going to be NW at 14 or NW at 21. The lapse rate is consistent with light high pressure lift. Probably a reasonable afternoon for the stiffies but doesn't look good for the bag wings.

Eric, Jerry and I drove the long road up to Box HG launch, with Gunter joining us as a driver. Wind was 15-20, but typically 80 degrees cross from the north. Eric launched first and immediately skied out.

I got up to launch next in my brand spanking new Sport2. Apparently a little unfamilar with how it feels, things didn't work out so well for me. I said 'clear' when the wind straightened out a bit, and held her in the flow for, I guess, a few seconds too long. I took a hesitated step forward, the wind switched rapidly and nabbed my right wing. It lifted faster than I reacted and before I knew it had me flipped 180 degrees rotated into the hill about 10 feet below launch. Sometimes the pilot wins, sometimes the rocks at launch win. The rocks claimed victory this time and put a nice tear in my leading edge. Doah! Ever since the Titanic, those maiden voyages have been the riskiest. Fortunately, no injury to me and much to think about. The tear being large enough for me not to fly my new wing (now being repaired).

Jerry had a successful launch next and Eric and Jerry enjoyed the brisk winds and steady lift for the next hour and a half. Eric headed XC, got to 10,500 under a developing towering cu' and eventually landed near Sonoita corners. Jerry got over 9K, lost it, but then went over the back and made it to the rear meadows. Nice flights for both of them, with Eric claiming the first XC of the year, and me claiming a Turkey nomination.

Damn, Morey, sorry to hear about that. But very glad to hear it didn't come out any worse. To me, Box is a scary place when it's blowing hard enough to be a sure thing. Especially if it's crossing or gusty.

As hard as it was blowing in town I was surprised to hear you guys went to Box.

John

I made a series of mistakes that lead to this misfortune. The strange thing about it was, I knew that I was making them at the time. As I was driving up to launch, the whole time I was thinking that if it were too gusty, or if things didn't look just right, I just wouldn't fly.

I haven't flown a Stiffie at Box in a couple years, and I remember that it takes a unique launch style to be continuously successful there. I knew too that I was in a glider that I had less control authority over than what I was used to, and one that started flying at a lower airspeed. Both contributing to being a bit more difficult to handle once that wing started lifting. With a lack of the right muscle memory to feel and correct this more quickly, it got away from me. As the wing started lifting, my immediate reaction was that I could get it under control easily, and I didn't react quickly enough by backing up the right wing, nor loading it with 'everything I had'. That, and about 4 other things contributed to my misfortune.

Rather than patch the tear, Eric and I pulled the sail off yesterday and it's going back to WW for a new right side LE material. Now I know the downside to having a 54lb glider. The leading edge material is very light weight and tears easily. I would expect that the coated mylar stuff (PX15) that goes on the LE of the high performance wings would have held up with just a few nicks. Pic of the tear posted here:
http://www.sahga.com/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=45

Morey, thanks for the report and the picture. We're delighted you walked away intact. The glider can easily be repaired.

Thanks for the report Morey. I'm glad the damage was minor. I have been contemplating getting the Ram Air out, but frankly am afraid to fly locally. It may be time for a trip to the coast.

Oddly enough, we were just talking about whether we'd ever see you (Scott) in a stiffie again. Glad you're still thinking about it. (it's good to be biwingal!)

In the right conditions, Miller launch can be quite easy and forgiving. Then, once off- you get plenty of time away from terra firma to figure things out.

Also- training hill day coming up this weekend! Although I would never recommend to take a high performance hang glider to the training hill.