Frustrato!
I wanted to be off the butte early today...the heat...the dustys...Brian...all of them driving me nuts.
Let's just cut to the chase...I sucked eggs today...big time. I didn't even make it to the soccer field LZ after getting drilled off of launch...I did manage to find a nice narrow strip of undeveloped residential parcels just south of the soccer field LZ. There I executed a nice no stepper in 100 degree heat...After verifying there were no rattlers nearby, I broke down my glider thankful I had a nice supply of water left over from my very short flight. Wendy was soon to pick me up and it felt great to be in the air-conditioned Tacoma.
Frustrato!
Brian was having radio troubles and opted to cut his flight short today...he appeared to be doing really well, but chose caution in-lieu of a potential out and back flight...that is a sign of a very mature pilot!
Frustrato!
After Brian broke down his glider, he then offered me a ride up to launch again, so I took him up on it. I needed a second flight today to set my head straight and prove to myself that I can, in fact, make glide to the soccer field LZ...
Frustrato!
The dustys were still pretty active on the butte while setting up for my second flight. The cycles kept rolling in, though, and there would be something to work once in the air.
The thermals were not very well developed right at launch, but I managed to work one for a short while...I then headed out to the soccer field LZ and found a nice, light, bubbly thermal along the ridge line...this kept me busy for a few minutes, but petered out.
I cruised over to the other side of the river for a bit, then set-up my approach in no-wind conditions.
Landing the Sport 2 is a lot of fun...I came in with a lot of speed, stayed prone in ground effect for the better part of the LZ, then came upright for a nice landing...this flight set my head straight again as I was a bit frustrated with my first flight today. A nice landing always puts a smile on my face.
No more frustrato!
Tomorrow is the last day of Chelan XC Classic 2010...one more day to do something...we'll be back next year regardless.