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.

The most recent race was at Dunlap again. Unlike the first event there in April, the conditions on Saturday were not only stable but deceptive: at least half the participants went down near Granny’s Knob quite early in the race. Still, a few people including Susan Kent managed to make it out to the San Joaquin valley. As difficult as Saturday was, Sunday was deceptively easy: climbs were high and easy to find, making it possible for about half the pilots to land at goal.

Redbull Xalps

The Xalps, one of the most punishing endurance events in the world, will have two American paraglider pilots participating. Both Nate Scales and Honza Rejmanek live near Sun Valley Idaho; but Honza spent much of his early flying career living and teaching in the Bay Area. If you would like to support the effort, please have a look at his crew website at www.xcaction.com.

Commercial activity at the Dump is not allowed

Unfortunately I must remind everyone that paid paraglider instruction, including paid tandem flying, is not allowed at the Dump aka Mussell Rock. If it comes to the city's attention that such things are happening -- and almost anyone can go and inform the city -- we will lose one of the country's most unique flying sites.