SATURDAY, May 21, 2016. A lot of fun flying.

WEATHER
Visibility: Unlimited under the cloud deck. Overdeveloped late afternoon.
Wind: 7 kts from the SE, changing to NW in late afternoon.
Altitudes: Above 8000 msl.
Time Aloft: Up to 5 hours for the high performance ships.
Max Lift: 8-10 kts early afternoon.
Temperature: Mid to high 70's.
Comment: Many excellent flights. New member, Joaquin Riviera.
Tow pilot: Julie Butler, Jim Rickey, Harold Gallagher

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It was an excellent day for both long and high flights. Morgan and Julie headed to the Pacific Coast along which they flew for more than 4 hours, easily the best flight of the day. I'm sure they posted that great flight on the OLC which most of you have a link taking you there.

Harry Davies and Ethan Ronat also flew long and high flights in their high performance sailplanes.

The Cal Poly group were out today flying both solo and preparing for their checkride for Troy Wollman and Jennifer Bauman.

Alex Caldwell assembled his Nimbus 3 for the first time in a long time and enjoyed the lift ever present under the overdeveloped cloud deck.

Our newest member, Joaquin Riviera brought his son, Joaquin, Jr. out to watch his Dad soar up over 5200 msl. in his first training flight as a member of CCSC.

Jesse McClintock flew again with me for the first time in many months. He just has to put two good weekends together of flying with me and he'll solo. That''s a hint, Jesse. :-)

Jennifer Bauman is closest to her checkride, with Troy Wollman not far behind. Good luck to both on getting their licenses.

Neiman Walker and Griff Malloy both flew solo flights and did well, both in time and altitude gained.

Thanks to Julie Butler early, and Jim Rickey later on, for their towing services especially when I had students and couldn't do both. Although we talked about the comedic scene if I did try to tow and head back to the glider along the tow rope. Easy to get back there, but tougher to return to the tow plane, assuming it's still tracking and climbing steadily. Good laughs.

The nice part about this is that Jim Rickey had a great flight after releasing in very strong lift. He wandered about the area above 6000 msl mostly and at times, at 7100 msl. In an earlier time frame, we had to call Troy Wollman to come down or he would have been up there until dark, naturally having fun.

Joaquin Riviera walks the wing of Big Bird for his second training flight, first as a member of CCSC.

Heading up, Joaquin Riviera continues to thermal very well.

Reaching 5000 msl, Joaquin is one happy pilot, his highest level.

5200 msl wasn't the highest of this thermal but we needed to get the glider back down.

Jesse McClintock waiting for the tow plane to move into position.

Jesse is going past 4000 msl on his way to a nice thermalling flight.

Ethan Ronat on tow passing the tow car. He had a very nice flight well into the mountains.

Mario Pauda flying the 1-26 in anticipation of bringing his own 1-26 to our gliderport.

Mario is launching into some pretty good thermals, with height and longevity.

Griff Malloy and Jennifer Bauman wait for the tow vehicle after Griff's flight.

The overdevelopment strangely didn't stop the thermals from reaching well above 7000 msl.

The high performance ships headed south along the cloud deck pictured above.

PG&E's solution to the danger of wires. Orange balls are legally to protect only them.

I don't think anyone at PG&E or Bolthouse ever flew an aircraft while trying to see these little balls from the air.

Jennifer Bauman on one of her pre-checkride flights required by the PTS.

Griff Malloy about to launch in Big Bird with Jesse McClintock assisting.

The wing is up, the tow plane takes out the tow rope slack and the launch is on.

Mario Pauda, Troy Wollman, Jennifer Bauman, and Jesse McClintock watch the sky for the tow plane.

Aha,  they've found it, up there against the cloudy sky. Look closely.

Big cloud street extending south all the way to Santa Barbara.

Alex Caldwell returning in his Nimbus 3 after an easy flight with such great L/D performance.

Alex on short final showing why it's critical to look carefully at incoming gliders. Hard to see, isn't it?

Alex landing his Nimbus 3, accompanied by no noise at all, as we always warn newcomers to our gliderport.

Harry Davies, Don Flinn, Morgan Hall, Julie Butler, and Jennifer Bauman all talk about the long flight.

With the over-development, the day remained beautifully cool, and comfortable, especially for the pilots inside those cockpits. Well until late in the day when Jim Rickey flew, the lift continued to push the gliders up over 6000 msl. A very interesting and satisfying day for all who ventured aloft.

See you all next weekend, Memorial Day, and hope we see more of the wonderful lift we've been getting almost every weekend this year.

Cheers,

Harold Gallagher