spring break flying

Saturday:

Forecast: Calm winds in the morning, NW in the afternoon.

Woke up at 7.30, called the windtalker and found out that it was blowing NE and gusting up to 20 at the top of Ed Levin. It was spring break however, so we figured we didn't have anything better to do, and after a short discussion to convince Cleanpants that it was worth it, we ended up going out.

It was unlaunchable on top as we made it out, but there was a light south west wind blowing up the midlaunch on the 600, so we decided to to get a flight in there first. I ended up launching in nearly dead, did not hit any lift of any sort along the way, and sank like a rock. Had to make my first turn before I got to the 300, the second one right after, and still ended up landing a little short of the H4 spot. Shortest flight from the 600 ever.

After we had all landed, conditions on top had started to die down, so with the help of one of Ed Levin's wonderful observers we made it to the top, where we were met by weak SW winds. We all got one flight each trying to thermal over the farmhouse, all getting a little longer flights than usual.

Sunday:

Forecast: SE 5-7 to SW in the afternoon.

Unlike many days at Ed Levin where you basically only share the park with some horses and the occasional hiker, this was a day where you had to fight for parking. Everyone who usually flies Ed Levin was out this day, hoping that it would be soarable. Which may not have been the case, but it was still gave most students the best flights from the top to far.

Log: Flight #8,9 and 10 from the top, and a signoff to launch with only a H3 sponsor.

..currently praying to Wanda that it will be good enough to go to Dunlap this saturday.

1750

Saturday:

Forecast: NNW, 3-8 mph. 30 % chance of showers before 4 pm. (Don't ask why we decided to go out this day.)

Actual weather at Ed Levin: Everything from south to SW to west, windspeeds ranging from dead to 8 mph. Smooth air with a little bit of lift from the 600.

Log: 4 flights from the 600, clearing me to launch from the top!

Which brings us to Sunday:

Forecast: SSW, 5-9 mph - and here's the shocker: forecast was actually right. Crazy, right?

Day started out straight west, gusting north and making it too cross for the 600 and not too many places for us to launch at the top (which was also below cloudbase). Then suddenly, the winds turn, clouds clear and the sky opens up for four students to get their first flight off the top of Ed Levin. Winds are blowing pretty strong up there, from 10 - 15, which gives us an easy job of launching (and also a lot of lift), as well as an interesting flight down.

Log: 2 flights from the 1750. SW winds, first one a little bumpy, the second one a lot smoother and with a lot more lift.

Current mood: Ecstatic.

Anthony looking down on the lake.