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.

Local flying for me, short X/C for someone braver...

A good day. Not quite as nice as forecast but good enough to for both Jay and I to stay up for 2-1/2 hours and see 6,000'. There was still plenty of lift when we came down.

I stayed pretty close, not going any further upwind than Stockbridge and then west to Nelson.

Jay headed west to our old home at Woodfords. The first picture was taken right after Jay radioed 5,000 feet over Woodfords. Woodford's is about 18 miles to the west, under those clouds just ahead of my wing. Note the significant blue between where I was over Morrisville and where Jay was. Jay says he found lift all the way back when he needed it and never got low.

Kevin towed. Brett was there to help with assembly. Carla and Brad managed ground operations. Phil visited and Greg swung by late in the day and help us with disassembly.

Thanks to everyone!

Looking west towards Woodford's


Morrisville, NY


Tandem parachuters at Hamilton Airport. So colorful I couldn't pass this up!

Timing is Everything

It wasn't a bad day. But that depends on when you checked. During the times that the sun shone through breaks in the Ci and for some time afterwards soaring was okay. While the sun was filtered through those clouds thermals died off. Conditions improved late in the day and there was plenty of lift when I came down and it was even better later when Jay landed later.

Jeff, Jay and myself flew today. Carla and Brad worked as the ground crew. While Jack did a BFR in an open cockpit biplane Jay towed both Jeff and I up. When Jack finished he gave Jay a lift.

I was up for 1:45 and Jay over 2 hours.

-George

*********from Jeff**********

It was a great day, except that we missed many of our members. We need to
get out more.

I got the Libelle back out for the first flight after the repair from my out
landing. She performed perfectly. I did not perform quite as well, but had a
terrific time doing it. Twice.

My first tow I released at 3100 in what FELT like a thermal, but turned out
to be a faux thermal. I struggled for 20 minutes trying to climb. I
struggled for SO LONG that eventually the towplane brought up the next
victim, George, and for the first time that I am aware of, two gliders
reached release altitude at the same time, from two consecutive tows.
Strange but true. Believe it or not. Go figure.

I was able finally to reach 4200' so I ventured out upwind. I found a very
large field being mowed and that buoyed me up for a few minutes, with surges
of 500fpm. Things started to devolve and next thing I knew I was on the
ground again (at the airport this time!)

The second tow was more like a sled ride, but fun just the same. I did find
a thermal near the airport (OK, I was on downwind!) but could not climb high
enough to escape the rotor coming off the hanger roof!

Thanks especially to Brad for his excellent service in the disassembly of
Ms. Libelle. He shall be renamed Mr. Firmgrip. And thanks to Carla for
remembering to take off my tail dolly and for running my wing. And thanks to
Jay and to Jack for flying tows yesterday. I am still considering whether to
thank George and Jay for insisting that I take the first tow, and
essentially serving as their sniffer!

Tuesday looks like it might be good for soaring. Is anyone available for any
day this week??

Jeff,

Work, work, work

But fun!

The best way to describe it.

Strong sink, a 15 kt west breeze and inconsistent lift. During the first hour and a half I never caught a break. Always struggling between 2,500 and 3,500. Thermals were tight but occasionally quite strong. However, in between was some 500 fpm sink. Finally after over two hours I caught a 700 fpm thermal that brought me up over 4,000.
Flight time ~2:30 with lift still working as I dove to loose altitude.

Jeff flew over from Skaneateles in the Lambada with the engine off. He gave frequent progress reports as I attempted to fly upwind to meet him. I don't know how long a soaring flight Jeff had but he was around Hamilton for at least an hour and a half. Maybe more!

Randy called to see if we were flying and came out. I assume that was him in the 1-26 for its first flight. Jack took a turn a little later in the afternoon. I can imagine it was a tough day for our stubby winged ship.

Kevin towed today. Carla and Brad worked as our ground crew.

...and if you notice 18L looks like something right off the factory floor, thank Brett for washing it. I'm not sure but our ground crew may have helped with that too.

George

Nice looking clouds!


Jeff soaring his Lambada. (note feathered prop) In the background is Bouckville Antique Meet.


Hamilton Airport from over town at 2,300 feet msl

Club Inspection Day

Club Inspection Day

Our 3 club gliders and 4 private ships all got their annual done today. Now everyone will come due at the same time.

Thunderstorms were forecast from mid-day on, but we were lucky. One passed just to the south before noon then we had sunshine and were almost done when another gave us some light rain. After it cleared the remaining ship was dried and inspected.

By late in the afternoon severe thunderstorms formed a line N-S across Central NY. As I write this, my town of Camillus had a severe thunderstorm warning issued a few minutes back at 7:10.

Pictures