Birthday Air

Today is the oldest I have ever been, so I decide to celebrate ... By doing what? ... Flying of course. Nick, who is exactly 22 years my junior has the same idea, for his birthday. But, in Nicks case there is more reason to celebrate, as today is the first day the law allows him to make the right of passage and act as his own Pilot in Command. Nicks first solo flight aboard the ASK-21, image courtesy of Valley Soaring Association.

The right of passage, soloing an aircraft, includes several traditions, one of which is the notorious bucket of water over your head after exiting the aircraft. As Nicks father is a member of the Williams Fire Department, this tradition is carried out as more of deluge than the standard bucket by use of the local Engine Company, image Valley Soaring Association.
Alright, I can't top that birthday, but I can still fly, so off to the mountains aboard "JH" in tow behind "30Z."

The word beautiful comes to mind while I'm above Goat Mountain with Snow Mountain in the background.
Soaring conditions are weak, but this bare spot provides an amebic little thermal to play with.
An absolutely wonderful view to the North as I fly by Lett's Lake.
Heading back, with East Park Reservoir and the town of Stonyford under my wing.
Bringing her back home to the strip at WSC.
Although the day only provides an extended sled ride, I can't think of a better way of spending an hour and a quarter of my birthday.

Some Hang Time

Lately life has been, work ... rain ... a sled ride ... more work ... more rain ... ect.

But today ... Spring is finally here, the grass is green, the sky is filled with Q, waterfalls are everywhere, thermals are aplenty and I get to write this blog with some wonderfully sore arms. In the grand scheme of things I suppose today wasn't epic. When I compare it to recent life, it sure seems close.

Catching Wave and Some Irony

A wet atmosphere and rain scheduled to arrive on the ground by late afternoon keeps the crowd away from Williams on this Pre-Frontal March day. But, today I've got the bug, so if the surfs up I'm in. On the tow out, it's obvious the mountains are obscured in low clouds so I key the radio, "22Z, take me to that nice looking one over the hills, just ahead."

Nope, it dissipates before we get there and only sink is found in its place. A 90 degree turn of the tug, a little more tow time and I release at Walker Ridge where the work begins.
It's a challenge. I race to some Lenticular Fakus to get some 50 up before it disappears and turns into sink. Sometimes on days like this, I think that success is equivocal to pure desire and today I have that desire bad. But, despite putting in a good fight I'm at 5K just West of Walker and need to head out. Fortunately the only cloud that hasn't moved or changed in the sky is sitting just above the 20 Gap which happens to be on the way out. But when I get there at 4K will I be too low? Lets see, heres a small burble, time to work.
It seems like more of a convergence line then a wave so I change tactics and fight slowly towards that only stationary cloud in the sky.
Then all of a sudden. BAM ... real wave, the vario sings and I rise above the clouds.
More clouds are beginning to form and I start to see some showers.
All of a sudden it's incredibly easy to soar and I reach 9K. THE CATCH ... it's a little moist today and the one cloud that became a train of clouds, that the foehn gap I'm working in which was open to the South has immediately closed up and as I climb up that big cloud overhead begins to look a little close for comfort.
115 Knots Airspeed doesn't seem fast enough as I race North towards what appears to be holes in the layer. When I get there I find relief and turn towards those big holes to drop on through.
It seems a bitter irony that I fight for over an hour and after getting exactly what I want, I'm spiraling with the air-brakes open and damn glad to see 1200 fpm down on the vario. Below the clouds some rain hits the canopy, but thats alright, for this is where I will stay for the next couple of hours, safe and happy below the clouds.
Be careful what you wish for.

Spring Practice

Dr. Jack is as overly optimistic as any Northern California soaring pilot on this winter post-frontal day. Despite an epic forecast, cloud base remains as low as the sun angle, so after patiently waiting for peak heating to occur, I take a tow and pin off at only 2K feet right above the airport for a challenging thermal practice session. I hope the unlimited post-frontal visibility and beautiful sky provide the same joy for the couple aboard the ride ship that I experience this great winter day.

The climbs are weak, the bases low and the gaggles fun as "98" moves onto my "six."
With low bases, I'm forced to stay near the airport. Oh, here's the ride ship again with a new set of smiling passengers.
After awhile cloud base rises to a whole 3K feet and I push towards the hills. Oh no, I hit OD and decide to retreat back towards Williams with the airport right on the other side of town.
Anyone can soar in big lift, but today was a challenge just to stay in the air and great practice for the spring to come. A little short of two hours, I certainly get my money out of a 2K foot tow.