Friday Flying 1-16-2009

I launched at noon today on a frozen runway in 15kt winds coming right down the runway at Skaneateles. It was 8 degrees F on the ground. Based on the weather reports, I did not think that the winds would get any higher today. Wrong! Anyway, I climbed with the engine to 1500agl (2500msl), then idled the engine and headed across the wind toward Moravia, hoping to make Ithaca.

I made it a few miles to near Murphy at Owasco while gaining a bit in what seemed to be weak streeting thermals. The slope on the east side of Owasco lake seemed to be kicking these thermals to the condensation level so I headed for the sunny west side of these cloud streets, and jumped from street to street until I had reached the south end of Owasco lake north of Moravia. I finally made 3000msl, and found the wind speed was increasing dramatically. I also found that I was able to climb up the face of these clouds, as though in ridge lift. Then I decided to try to head further upwind across the Cayuga Lake to visit the waterfalls at Taughannock State Park 8nm NW of Ithaca.

Unfortunately there was a giant blue hole to the west, directly enroute to the falls, so I lowered the nose to speed through what I thought would be heavy sink over the lake. As I ventured upwind at indicated 70kts I found myself climbing in rough 2kt lift, then smooth 5kt lift. I slowed to 50kts and found myself with only 18kt groundspeed. I was in WAVE!! The feared blue hole turned out to be weak wave which I rode to nearly 6000msl, well over the clouds! The clouds that I had been in were actually rotor clouds, as I found a pattern of those as I continued west to over the falls.

I pulled the brakes and slipped to 1500agl, circling the falls for photos. On making a decision to depart the falls, I considered heading for Fingerlakes Regional at Waterloo. Their AWOS indicated surface winds gusting to 25kts direct crosswind, so I decided to head home instead, where at least the winds were not cross. I worked weak ridge and thermal lift at the falls, finally reaching 2500msl and began to reconnect with the wave. I climbed to 3500msl in the wave, then pointed downwind toward Skaneateles.

I arrived at Skaneateles at 2500msl, landed in 20kts winds and hurried to the hanger. With the combination of strong winds and icy runways, it was a bit of a challenge keeping the ship on the ground and stationary. With the ship finally tucked away, I had time to reflect on the activities of the day. I am truly amazed at how active the atmosphere can be on a cold, windy and sunny day in Central New York. And I am very surprised that wave conditions can be so prevalent.

Jeff

Wave in Central New York?

Even after a quarter century of soaring I am still amazed with the ability of soaring aircraft to remain aloft. On the majority of days there is at least enough air movement to keep us flying, though sometimes not enough to confidently venture away from the safety of our home field.

On this mid-winter afternoon with a light west breeze we found enough lift to keep us flying for about 3 hours in Jeff's Lambada. All the time with the engine idling at 0 thrust. We spent most of the afternoon fairly low running along the windward sides of the low hills bordering our N-S glacial valleys. Lift was weak but consistent and occasionally we came across stronger lift that allowed us to climb a couple thousand feet.



We made our way from Skaneateles to south of Moravia where at below a 1,000 feet we came across a thermal that gave us enough height to head SE and on to Cortland for a fuel stop.



Leaving Cortland with the engine once again idling we made our way up the Tully valley working lift along the hill face. Just south of the long gone Thermal Ridge soaring site we picked up a thermal that carried us to cloud base. From there we headed west and upwind to the Otisco valley.



The clouds were arranged parallel to the hills and across the wind. We began to suspect there was some weak wave action. We were right. After crossing blue sky and over the Otisco Lake valley we turned north and ran under this next band of clouds. The lift was weak and finally forced us to power up and climb before reducing power and turning west again towards the Skaneateles Lake valley. Leaving weak lift under the clouds we expected to encounter sink through the blue. But we didn't. Instead we continued to climb in perfectly smooth air.

Wave! It must be.

Turning north we continued to climb. Higher than the line of clouds to either side if the valley. Finally topping out at over 5,000 feet. Beautiful...



Once again I am amazed at the ability of soaring aircraft to make use of even the slightest movements of the atmosphere and remain aloft. Also, I appreciate the opportunities that flying a motor-glider such as the UTM Lambada opens up. While I might have been able to stay up a few hours Monday in my Libelle, it would have been unwise if not impossible to head out exploring the snow covered landscape as we did without the confidence of the Rotax idling in front.



Thanks for inviting me along for a fantastic afternoon Jeff!

Wave Camp - from Jefferson Shingleton

I launched this morning at 8 and flew to 13500 in strong wave. 6kts at
10000'. Then flew again this afternoon for a couple hours. Loads of fun

Jeff,

Wave Camp - from Jefferson Shingleton

Good Evening !!

I got up this morning, and the sky was clear! I talked to the boys at Petersburg, WV and they were pretty convinced that although it will rain Thursday, that Friday, Sunday and Monday may be wave days. (They also toldme they have found that Elkins weather is not indicative of Petersburg weather.)

What cinched it is that Bob Quass is driving in from Ohio tonight, dragging his 1-26, and will arrive Thursday and stay through Monday. (Bob and I had a great time at the Feb/Mar wave camp.) So I piled into the Lambada, refueled in Cortland, and flew on down for a few days. Please forgive that I may have to miss the meeting/party on Saturday evening. And do NOT elect me to office!! (As you can see here, I am NOT RELIABLE!) I am happy to continue as Special Assistant to the President, if you'll have me.

Following my 3 hour flight from Cortland, I rested at W99 for 45 minutes, long enough for my feet to thaw. Then reboarded and flew 15m to the south end of Dolly Sods, where the South winds were generating ridge lift. Had a great one hour flight. Soared the ridge with four eagles. Still idling the engine, I found 1 kt lift for 10 miles back North toward W99, passed through the gap and glided back in, arriving at 2000 agl over W99. Sweet!

Then homemade Shedherd's Pie at Larry's house. Such a deal!

Jeff,

Fly-in cookout at Morin's N7K7

We had our first and hopefully not our last fly-in at one of our members private airstrip.

Phil Morin's field is about 9 miles south of our clubs' home at Hamilton (H30). Running N-S it is 1200' long by 60' wide. Landings are made to the north with the approach flown over the Chenango River. There is an 80' wide gap between the trees bordering the river which turns 90 degrees at the runway end to align with the approach for about 400 feet.




I was the first off from Hamilton behind our tow pilot Jack Hosp. With a northwest wind we arrived in the vicinity of Morin's much faster than I expected. Never having been to this airport I had some difficulty spotting the field while on tow. With some help from Jack I realized I was looking too far ahead. We were already there, and the airport was easily visible about a mile and a half just off the nose.

(In this picture the field is in the extreme lower right. Our tow plane off to the left)


I released and spent some time soaring in the weak lift and taking pictures before letting myself drift down pattern altitude. My trailer was still back at Hamilton and I didn't want to hold up the party too long while someone drives me to get it.

On approach the field looks quite short. With some crosswind I was hesitant to fly between the trees on final and decided there was enough runway to stay at treetop level until over the river. Well, when I got to that point the runway looked REALLY short. I put in a slip and lowered the nose to get down fast. Kicking the nose straight and beginning the flair I hoped I wouldn't float far or bounce loosing precious turf. Fortunately I had maintained good airspeed control and the Libelle touched down softly after only a short float. Using moderate breaking until realizing there was sufficient runway remaining I then let her coast and stopped before the 3/4 runway behind marker. Whew...

First ever aircraft landing at N7K7!
I've made history and joined a list of others that were first. Lindbergh, Armstrong, Hernandez.


Unfortunately while retrieving my trailer, I missed Jay landing his ASW-15B and later Jeff in the 2 place Lambada motor-glider. Jay experienced the same thoughts as I did on approach. The gliders were relatively easy. The Lambada required a bit more effort and Jeff demonstrated that he had the skill needed for the task. After a couple approaches to feel things out he set her down and safely stopped.

Aircraft that flew in. Libelle, ASW-15B and UTM Lambada.


Two gliders and one motor-glider. Ten people in all came for the cookout. Phil provided snacks, beer and cider for everyone. Steaks for pilots, ground and tube steaks for the rest.









Then another first. Jeff made the first ever take-off from N7K7. Another name to the list of firsts. Shingleton!



Phil's airport is on 38(?) acres of triangular shaped land bordered on 2 sides by the Chenango River. It was peaceful spot for a relaxing evening and dark skies for stargazing when the sun goes down.

Thank you Phil for hosting the club in what we all hope is an annual event.