Petersburg Wave Camp - Saturday

Lake effect snow carried in on strong NW winds prevented Jeff and Warren from flying down Friday. Phil and I drove and arrived at the Hermitage in Petersburg at midnight under starry skies. The better weather forecast for Saturday in NY blew in overnight and Jeff's Lambada made the flight in 2:45 landing here before 11:00.

Right away Warren, who volunteered to help during the week, was trained on procedures and safely issues by our towpilot.


Sunny skies and south winds gave us a beautiful day for sightseeing over the hills and valleys to the west. South winds blow parallel to the ridge and thus little ridge and no wave. However with the flexibility offered by a motor-glider we were able to explore through the hills. We found localized areas of lift on the windward faces. But more interestingly just southwest of Grant County airport downwind of the end of the ridge was an area of convergence where air divided to either side of the hills rejoined and pushed upward.

Phil flew out first with Jeff. Later Jeff and I flew up the Potomac river gorge then across the ridge to Seneca Rocks. Beautiful terrain and a place I am looking forward to exploring on foot sometime soon.

Over the Potomac River gorge.


Cliffs along the Potomac River gorge.


A room with a view.


Lower Hills Below Dolly Sod


Seneca Rocks


Petersburg, WV



Once flying was done for the day 7 of us drove back to the Hermitige Inn for dinner and flying talk.

Air to Air

Returning from a cruise around CNY where we visited Moravia, Cortland and Camillus, Jeff and I met up with one of his hangar-mates as he departed Skaneateles. Jeff established radio contact and we joined up for some photos.

Otisco Lake Fly-in

A lake frozen solid,


Warm southerly breezes,


Plenty of food,


Drink,



Friends (old and new),




and

Airplanes!

Piper J4


Aeronca Champ


Rides and Flying

Frank solo



Phil and Frank


Sharon and Frank


Sharon and Frank on take-off


J4 Fly-by


Champ Fly-by


The warm southwest breeze was a welcome break from the frigid air that we have had in the northeast for most days since December. The strong winds aloft did prevent a few planes from completing the flight westbound from the Cooperstown area forcing them to turn back as their ground speed dropped to unacceptable levels. The surface winds weren't too strong and the air was mostly smooth down low over the lake so later in the day Frank gave rides.

For those that made it, Kate and Frank had plenty of food and good times for all. Sausage sandwiches, chili, cornbread, baked macaroni & cheese, cookies and cupcakes, plus much more. There was plenty of flying talk and a lot of catching up with friends we normally only see during the soaring season.


Much thanks for a wonderful afternoon to our hosts - Frank and Kate

2009 ISA Calendar at Qoop

Pictures from the 2008 flying season in a wall calendar.

$17.50

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