Thermal Clinic at Potato Hill

The annual BAPA thermal clinic was held May 19-20 at Potato Hill. Before the event Ann and I were going back and forth on the location, checking weather daily as the weekend approached.  The forecast called for west winds through out the state, a less than optimal condition for Potato Hill; but later the forecast turned more to our favor and off we went. 

Expecting that the launch might blow down anyway, Ann, Kurt, Susan, and I worked to get all the pilots off early in the day. The lift was weak, but everyone got a chance to try their thermalling skills and the most patient were rewarded. Later however the air around Potato Hill became leeside, even though the wind was still coming in at launch. This can produce some rather dangerous flying conditions, so the hosts recommended that newer pilots not launch.  (The author did launch but didn’t like the flying much, and landed soon thereafter.)

More class time and a catered dinner followed. The next day the hosts provided yet more class time, followed by another trip up the hill. On that day however the wind blew down at launch without a break, and the group was not able to fly.

Spring XC League

Since the last presidents report Jugdeep Aggarwal has put on two more XC League events.  The race at Tollhouse was a battle of pilots against weak and desperate conditions. Saturday’s task had no one in goal, while on Sunday just Eric Reed made it in. Sunday in particular marked a new task route, out to Nichols Road, which should come in handy for future XC flights there.