SATURDAY, September 30, 2017.

WEATHER
Visibility: Clear
Wind: Variable from NW and SE
Altitudes: 4900 msl, Alex Caldwell
Time Aloft: 2+ hours
Max Lift: 6 knots
Temperature: Cool and beautiful
Comment:
Tow pilot: Jim Rickey, Dan Gudgel, Griffin

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Here is Richard Walker's flight description:

Thanks to everyone on the ground for assistance in getting a late afternoon tow.  Our new Tow Pilot Griffin did the honors and dropped me off in 4 knot lift.  

Gaining about 400 ft I went in search of additional lift.  Found some North of the prison and generally worked lift in that area. I worked lift from hwy 33 to the hills.  I didn't find much to the west and headed back toward the Barn and found some lift there.  I was down to 2200' so it was find lift or land.  After getting back up to  3,000'  I went exploring again.

I saw Big Bird a little north east and tried to join them, but some moderate sink prevented that.  They moved south west of me as I was searching for other lift to the west.  Finding mostly a line of lift and sink I eventually retreated to the Barn area keeping an eye on ALex and his student in Big Bird. I got up to 4600 and Alex I think said he was at 48 or 4900 after I landed maybe higher.

With 4600' I set off for tar canyon as I was a couple miles south of there.  I found a bit of lift and tried to get to Black only to make a retreat at about 3600'  With 600' above glide seemed likely I would make it with the scattered lift I had going in.  Found light lift again, but was a gradual down flight from there.  

All in all an enjoyable 1.1 hr flight.  Taking off at 4 pm I didn't expect much more than a 20 minute flight. 

Thanks Griffin for a nice tow. 

Richard

Dan Gudgel and student on short final for runway 31.

That was a good flight and we should do another one.

Down at the far end of runway 31, they launch again with Erich Harding running the wing.

On the takeoff roll, and a very dusty runway after Carlos smoothed it all out.

All day today we were simply IFR, "I Follow Rope".

When they return, it will be Erich Harding's turn to fly. He's ready for it.

Erich is doing well on his training and likes to fly with two hands on the stick. So do most.

He is trying to decide whether to fly one more time or just end it at that. He decided to fly.

His second flight was so much better than the first, including an unassisted smooth landing.

Erich is a much happier young man after that excellent second flight.

 A typical mid-afternoon gathering on the patio.

Dan Gudgel is holding court with Jay and friend.

Don Flinn explaining flight info with Troy Wollman and Bennett Diamond.

Things are slowing down a bit at this time of day.

Alex Caldwell seems to occupy that seat on the back bench most of the time.

The PW-5 and the Pipistrel behind it are nearly ready to fly today.

Joe Anastasio finishing assembly of the PW-5 while the Pipistrel only needs a horizontal stabilizer.

They're probably chatting about the potential for a good flight based on current lift conditions.