FlyBC "Site of the Day" - July 3/2009
"If you haven't found something strange during the day, it hasn't been much of a day." - John A. Wheeler
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Coaches Corner - we are training at Eagle Ranch at Woodside at 9:00 am Friday.
Tandems are available after noon. Full-time courses are in full swing now for beginners and intermediates.
I will be on Skype at flybcpg so download Skype and start talking for free. Advanced Maneuvers/SIV Course - July 20-26, 2009 in Revelstoke BC. Details here. This year a deposit, pre-registration and booking is mandatory to ensure we have enough lift passes for everyone, as we will be taking the trams up Mount Mackenzie to fly! Use PayPal Button below to pay your deposits. The new Ozone Brochures for 2009 are here to to see your new wing choices. Click on Google Map for Eagle Ranch for our location 30 minutes east of Mission. There are a bunch of demo wings to try in the nice spring air: Ozone R09 Comp Glider, Addict II XS and L, Ozone Mantra I (Small), Ozone Mojo 2 (Small and Large), new Ozone Magnum 38/42 & Ultralite & Geo IIs coming soon as well. New students can sign up for beginner courses in 2009 on the dates listed on the FlyBC's Long Range Calendar .  Click here for the 2009 Ozone BST Info . FlyBC's Paragliding School is here for you in 2009 with different training formats and venues. We are looking for committed aviation enthusiasts who want to learn more about flying. More road trips, more clinics and more fun! Don't be mis-led by paragliding schools that claim to train in Vancouver, as you may get some training hill flights but the real flying happens in the Fraser Valley (the most reliable sites are located here). Go to FlyBC's Eagle Ranch Page for pictures of the new layout. FlyBC has the only "dedicated flight park" in BC with a classroom, landing zone (LZ) within easy glide off a safe Novice launch (Woodside) and training hill area for the exclusive use of our students and customers. Our vision for Eagle Ranch is "to create a community centre for fun loving hangglider, paraglider and paramotor pilots (and their families) in the Fraser Valley". FlyBC has the most pilots flying after gaining certification and we have the most years of experience in training new pilots. Other schools claim to be bigger but HPAC numbers tell the true story, FlyBC certifies and graduates the most HPAC paraglider pilots on the West Coast. FlyBC graduating students have gone on to compete in the 2005 Red Bull X-Alps (Benn Kovco) , Canadian and US Paragliding Nationals, winning the 2007 Willi XC Race in Golden (Norm) and the 2008 Willi XC Race in Golden (Robin) and some becoming legends for maximizing airtime and distance. But above all, they enjoy flying! FlyBC is certified with HPAC Senior Instructors/Tandem II Senior Instructors and Advanced USHPA Instructors/Tandem Administrators to serve you better.
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Woodside Report - Rex, Pavan and Robin were out flying today. Robin got her second tandem today and her first kiting sessions despite the 30 degree temps. | Wouter did his first commercial tandem today when we took two guys tandem before 2 pm. Bridal Report - Rex, Pavan and Robin and I went to Bridal as it got lame at Woodside and folks were staying up at Bridal. Kevin reported his first `blow-out`on the Mantra M3 - in a +7 més thermal up high everything `balled up` but it reopened cleanly with little drama. I had a similar thing happen on the Magnum tandem but we were at launch height just entering the bowl when the glider stalled behind us and reopened in a big surge, must be the inversion making it rowdy. Good flights see below. Hi Jim here is my debut flight at Bridal. Length 30.82 km Duration 1 hr 3 min Elev High 796 m Av. Speed 29.1 km/h 
Rex's first Bridal Flight log from iPhone GPS Kit - photo by GPSKit Shotgun Report - Al broke some new ground today, and I don't mean the top-landing :-) Shotgun to Ass Kicker Return Max Elevation 1150 M (inversion) Distance from Launch 100M to land at truck Total projected Track - 87KM Time 3 hours 10 Min. Some sharp thermals and mix of North West and South wind 
Al`s track lg for a perfect out & return from Shotgun Lower - photo by Google Earth
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Woodside Report - we started flying around 11 am, as we thought the east winds would have been stronger. Good cycles at 11 am, and Colleen and I did a set of tandems while students Dan and Cynthia had solo flights. Quite a few others flying as we required two shuttle vehicles for the first load. | Colleen's passenger Luc got a bit "ill" during the flight and she headed out after climbing above launch, my passenger Gaetanne loved her ride and we climbed out to 900 meters boating around the mountain before heading out to land at the Ranch. 
Cynthia was waving the Canadian Flag all day - photo by JPR We kept flying all afternoon and it got a bit windy around 2 pm, but no outlandings or incidents to mar a beautiful Canada Day. I flew a solo flight around 3 pm, and flew into Eric & Liz's BBQ on the Harrison River due north of Mill Road. They hosted a "get-together" with family and neighbours and had country tunes palying on the stereo as I landed. Kevi, Judy, Al and Deb with out paddling the Harrison River after putting in at Harrsion Hot Springs and called me as I launched to announce they would be at Kilby in 45 minutes. When I landed they were just coming by the beach where I landed and came in for a beer and ride to Al's car. 
Dan & Gerry "duking it out" in front of launch - photo by JPR The last tandem I did with Troy was pretty strong around 4 :30 pm, strong gusts at launch and once in the air we were climbing pretty sharply but no vario to record the action. We were getting high at the north cliffs and also at the South Knoll and despite and offer to get picked up at Harvest, I continued flying for 30 minutes before heading out to check out the Ranch landing conditions. It was quite frothy on Harrison Bay, so I expected a rough approach but we had a smooth ride in to a standup landing (well one of us stood up!). I later found out Troy weighed 225 lbs, so we had good penetration and a solid wing in the rough thermals. Wiley flew next, followed by Mike (back from a month in Spain), and then Dan and Cynthia got some soaring in. All landings were smooth and uneventful. Pavan arrived after flying Bridal and reported 2:30 of soaring on the Epsilon he was test flying, although he felt he was a bit light on it. We overheard Alan and others high at Bridal enjoying the day too.
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Woodside Report - Steve and Rex were out today and we were on launch by 11 am, nice soaring for both of them landing at the Ranch. Kevin was out to help me do 2 tandems with Jean and Linda from Harrison Hot Springs. | After we let the students check the air for us, Kevin launched and was soaring after some "thermal hunting" as I got ready. We launched (Jean and I) into a strong cycle and we were soon climbing above launch. The thermal was easy to track and were were soon through 850 meters and the air was very clear. Nice CUs forming on Sasquatch and beyond. Ever mindful of the wind warning for early afternoon, I watched the Harrison Bay for lines. We flew for about 30 minutes over launch and then headed out high, and tried a different approach upwind and along the railway tracks south of the Barn and we were climbing over the forest there. We could have soared that area for another 30 minutes as we climbed steadily. But I saw the wind was picking up at the Ranch so I went back to the Maple Tree and set up the normal approach landing in the circle with a gusty tailwind, but on our feet! We all went back up for one last flight, Kevin taking his new Ozone Mantra M3 out for the first flight. Good launch cycles but as he climbed out fast, it was apparent it would be a bit strong for student flights so we drove down so the guys could kite in the Eagle Ranch LZ. Wouter arrived to repair his wing after he flew into the trees at Bridal a few days ago after suffering an assymetric collapse. I sewed up the wing tip where it caught on a tree just below the stump. It looked good as new when completed and we thought we could get one good flight in before it completely blew out and we raced up to find 40+ kph gusts at launch and no hope to fly so down to the Sasquatch for lunch. We met Al and Rob at the Sasquatch Inn and heard about the flight off the new TopGun Launch at 1100 meters. Al made it to Hwy 7 where he "got his ass handed to him" very strong and gusty" and he suffered a 70% collapse over some trees the pendelum'ed him pretty hard. Another good flight out of Stave Lake area for sure. Popping my M3 Cherry - I had my first flight on my M3 today after doing a tandem for FlyBC. Wind on launch was perfect for reversing and true to reports the glider didn't quite come up all the way on the first try but with a slightly more agressive pull came up very nicely on attempt #2. As I took my three steps down the hill, I could feel the softness in the wingtips but no tucks. The air was "spicey" as the forecast winds began to kick in (approximately 1:30 pm). The thermals were quite strong: 5.6 m/s but again the reports were accurate. The glider cut into the thermals and once banked up just stayed in the core very nicely. The M3 is definitely more talkative than the M3. My harness was pretty twitchy in the gusty air but I've always liked talky gliders. Turning felt similar to the M2, perhaps just slightly less agile but this difference seemed to disappear by the end of the hour long flight. I topped out at just over 1300 m and boated around, trying out the speed bar and noticing how the sink rate didn't change much. Alan reported some wind gusts starting to develop in the Bridal area so I began the flight out to the ranch into wind, arriving over Eagle Ranch with 900 meters to play with - awesome glide! The M3 felt very solid doing wing overs and gentle spirals, no tendency to spin at all. I flew out over the Fraser River and lost some altitude before setting up. The air was very buoyant in places and I cored sink just to get down. The final approach was quite a roller coaster ride and I did get dumped the last five feet. One of Jim's students was trying to kite in the field and he said there were some strong gusts coming through. My timing was just right - I drove Jim and Wouter up so they could enjoy some of this air but alas it was already blown out on top. My first flight was rocknroll but already I'm confident that Ozone has another winner! - Kevin
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Woodside Report - Joe, Steve D, and John S flew one exciting flight around 11 am, strong lift took them all above launch with a few turns and the landings were a bit bumpy but good practice. | Rob S and I met at Bridal at 5 pm and it was still blowing hard, so a bit of kiting the XT16 and R09 before heading home.
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Woodside Report - new students Jay, Steven and Kirsten got there first flights before it blew out around 2 pm. Some experienced pilots braved the wind and landed at the Ranch with a few bumps. | We kited until 4:30 pm, then on to Bridal but it was still pretty breezy for new students. Colleen and Annette flew a nice flight before reporting it too strong for student landings at 7 pm, so back to Woodside for a "glass-off flight". Cynthia, Wouter, Wiley, Colleen and John flew and it took forever to get out to the Ranch landing just before dark. It wasn't prudent to send off the newbies, so we tried kiting at launch for a while. John's quote: "This flight is amazing!" 
The view last night as it "glassed-off" - photo by Cynthia
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Woodside Report - Wow! A busy day at the Ranch today. 10 tandems to complete and 5 new students for a Beginner Paragliding Course. | Our first trip up the mountain was slowed down by some Mounties that nabbed Ken F for having passengers in the back of his pickup. All our passengers were secured in the Blue Van, but Ken got a $310 ticket which the folks all shared for $25 each. Don't drive on Hwy 7 with passengers in your box. They are watching. 
Scofflaws nabbed at Mount Woodside - photo by JPR Thanks to Colleen, Kelly, Peter G, Jeremy, Veronica we were able to complete most of the tandems and the students were ready to solo by 1 pm. Unfortunately, the winds kicked in at 3 pm, effectively shutting us down til dark. Despite the good Upper Level wind forecast, the sea breezes came all the way to our area and even Bridal was blown out at times. 
Tandem pilots and passengers at Mount Woodside - photo by JPR Mike was not deterred and continued kiting in the Eagle Ranch LZ while we waited for the winds to die down, but it never let up until 10 pm, and we were having dinner and drinks by then. 
Mike kiting the Paratoys 30 glider for sale on the Used Page - photo by JPR Conversations with Al and Rob confirmed another successful Shotgun flight as he landed at Deroche after a 40 km flight, landing in the strong westerlies. Bridal reports came back with Thomm soaring for 2 hours and coming straight down into the Driving Range where the air was smoother. Some other pilots were going backwards off launch!
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Woodside Report - as forecast, the winds were westerly at 9-10 knots until the sun came out and it got very strong at launch, shutting down student and experienced pilot flights til around 7 pm. | When it was gusty at launch, I pulled out the new Ozone XT16 speed glider and it was very easy to kite despite the gusts. Balls not big enough to test the glide out however in turbulent conditions. But before the high winds we had two cycles of student flights and Mike from Jasper logged his first tandem and solo flights after two days of extensive kiting (and he looked great with perfect posture and brake inputs). Steve from Chilliwack was out and flew two flights solo in the am before it blew out. Later after the winds died down, the flights were magical as it "glassed off" and Mike was rewarded with a very high flight coming over the Ranch at launch altitude and about 40 minutes of soaring.
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Woodside Report - a wild weather day but great for ground-handling for Mike, who is now ready to solo. We had an audience watching us today . . . a coyote north of the windsock kept coming out to watch us during our 2 hour kiting session, not even afraid of the bright rustling fabric. And me with no camera! | The launch was clear by noon, but it looked too windy as the clouds "scudded by". What really kept us grounded was the flight behaviour of the eagles and vultures thermalling over Eagle Ranch. They were being buffeted badly and had a tough time keeping centered even in level flight, in what appeared to be calm air? I think I finally discovered what causes the nasty thermal at the north junction of the west corn field and Eagle Ranch, after watching the trees yesterday. It was gusty while Mike was kiting and the wind in Eagle Ranch was predominately SE. The wind in the corn field west of us had predominately SW winds and the point where they converge is at the NW corner of Eagle Ranch at the treeline. I have been coming in at that point on thermic days and have thermalled out back to Launch at times due to this convergence but we always called it a "nasty thermal". It may be a thermal but it looks like the converging winds trigger the effect. So on a windy day, avoid that corner. 
Path of suspected converging winds, coming through the two gaps on the Fraser River during strong South winds - photo by JPR By 5 pm, Mike had to leave for home and the winds settled down enough for a flight but no one was out so in to Agassiz for dinner at Jack's with Derek and Martina.
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Woodside Report - a bad call from the weatherman this morning. I updated this page and by 9 am, it was raining lightly and it turned monsoon-like by noon. At least I got some ground school sessions done and Unimog work done to prep for the weekend. | The infamous arm pinching braces on the Mog are now welded solidly and a new glider storage rack is installed to allow access from the rear of the vehicle. Room for 2 instructors and 8 pilots to ride in style.
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Burnaby Mountain Report - new student Mike from Jasper met me at Burnaby Mountain for his first kiting sessions as he had to be in Langley by 3:30 pm, and I was heading to Grouse Mountain for the GMF Meeting, so a perfect mid-point for both of us. | Perfect conditions for Mike with reversible condtions and his feet were in the air most of the time just starting from the rocks down to the 3 big trees on the medium Buzz. After 1:30 he was pretty "tuned-up" and entertaining the spectators. He did a good 20 inflations (forward and reverse) without a "duff"! Grouse Report - I met Alex W and Natalyia at the Guest Services to secure a new pass as Nicole, Veronica and Greg arrived. We all headed up thinking we were getting a sledder as it was clouded over but we saw Alistair launch and maintain as we took up the new low-speed chair called the Scenic Chair which borders launch proper. Jaro and the First Flight Gang were up looking for tandem passengers as we disembarked the chairlift. 
The view from the Scenic Chair at the top where we launch from, a bit narrow but everyone launched beautifully as Advanced Pilots should - photo by JPR One by one everyone was laid out and off and everyone stayed up, and I was last off in our group after Veronica launched. Light reversible cycles and lift immediately in the gulley past the chair lift (which is on the right of takeoff and one must cross over it to fly away). We were all maintaining at 1200 meters and occassionally someone would break though in a nice core and be a few meters higher but mostly it was "gaggle-flying" around the cliffs near the restaurant. 
A few pilots in the gaggle today - from left: Alastair, Nicole, Veronica and Alex W - photo by JPR I tried the ridge up to Crown Mtn. a few times but just lost altitude so back to the gaggle. After an hour of this I headed over to the bail-out cliffs and climbed over the Cut scoping out the top-landing options there, but there are too many chairlifts and towers to contend with. I saw Greg heading out near the Dam, and I followed him thinking "acro show". But he just did a few loops. At 980 meters over the LZ one could maintain and climb in light thermals. I watched Greg, Veronica and Herminio land and they all took forever to get down even doing stunts and with Herminio flying a small acro wing. As I entered the circuit, I was also floating around but perfect landing conditions brought me into third base! A few pilots went long in the corners but avoided fence-rash. At the meeting we figured about 15 pilots flew and all stayed up for an hour plus in nice smooth lift, with zero winds to contend with in the air. Very atypical of Grouse flying mid-day. Nice to get back here for a day like this! - Jim Bridal Report - Kevin reported 3:30 flying to Elk and back several times on the borrowed Mantra M2. Very nice conditions here too! Alan D logged 4+ hours after hiking up. Martina and Derek flew after 6 pm and managed over an hour each too. Woodside Report - Bev lost her "chicken feathers" and flew off Woodside today and reported a few bumps in the Ranch but a smooth touchdown, welcome back! Elk Report - Adventure Man Ken Hurley and Intrepid Mtn. man John Leblanc grace Mt Elk for the annual soltice evening flight. The boys landed at Slesse Park and Brad landed in the Fraser Valley side to watch the sun set and near the Jolly Miller pub to order wings and beer for the team. Good safe flights by all and everyone flying FlyBC supplied Ozone Geo IIs ! - Brad 
Ken getting ready on Elk Launch - photo by Brad Wow, busy day around BC! - Jim
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Woodside Report - it was wet and windy here most of the day, clearing later but we were in Vancouver for business meetings with high level executives at some Tour Companies. |
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Woodside Report - despite our best efforts and a clear sky at the start of the day we got washed out. Cynthia wrote her novice exam and stayed around for the marking and review and she now has to complete a few more flights before she is signed off. |
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Woodside Report - Cynthia (on her new Rush II), Colleen, and Kelly launched around 11 am and climbed out quickly to 900 meters and then Cynthia decided Harvest looked inviting as she missed the XC action last Sunday. | I drove down and picked up the grandkids and headed to pick them up at Harvest and then went for lunch at Limbert Farms. Great ambiance out on the patio and great food. Rex arrived late and was out kiting his new Rush for an hour while we ate and then all of us went back for another flight while Jason & Crystal got hitched. Busiest day at the Ranch for many years as 250 people descended on us til 7 pm. Congratulations to both of them! Some of the guest went tandem paragliding with Brad, Greg and Veronica and had nice soaring flights and it got too windy for students so they took a break and watched videos and kited until 6 pm, when we went up for one last flight. Very buoyant and nice glass-off as Cynthia, Rex and Derek flew off and climbed out all the way to the Ranch . . . better lift out front than on the ridges. Another perfect day in Harrison Mills! Cynthia's Woodside Report - Wing -> I've just got my new Ozone Rush 2-M and it is amazing how stable and "fast" it is. I definitely love it ! It's so different compared with other wings I have tried. It likes to fly in thermals and all kinds of rough air. I say I became a mom, I've got a new baby :o)))))))) . I am so happy with this wing. Flights -> The first flight today was my first "XC" to Harvest. I climbed to around 900 m fighting with a thermal and then headed up to Harvest flying almost over the river bank guided by Jim and Colleen in a brilliant and professional way. It was amazing having such a perfect scenery surrounding me all the time. I didn't exactly make it to the Harvest field but I landed very smoothly and safetly in a field just accross Harvest Market. When I was around 200 ft , the wing just wanted to fly and kept me in a kind of "zero" no up , no down. When I finally was descending and on my final at 3 to 5 ft over my "runway" the wing just wanted to glide !!!!!!. At the end of that, I just touched like putting my feet in a mountain of cotton. Fly BC -> I have to say that Jim and Colleen are guiding me with tremendous professionalism and safety. They both know exactly what they need to do to make the student flights safe. They made me feel more confident with my flights and now with my wing. They are extremely open to my needs and they always have a good answer for my questions. Thank you Jim , Thank you Colleen for all this confidence, which is very important to keep myself on the air - Cynthia, a student with 14 flights so far :o)
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Woodside Report - today we operated a tandem day for Correctional Services Canada for their Sports Day 10 tandems were booked, 2 rescheduled yesterday due to other commitments and 8 showed up. The first 3 spent an hour on launch with our heads in the clouds, but had to leave to take care of family commitments and the last 5 had glorious flights. The second set of tandems had us soaring just below cloudbase. Many happy CSC folks today and some are wanting to come back for lessons. | Rex was also out and flew 2 nice flights and was happy to stand down on the last flight as the conditions were thermic and windy.
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Woodside Report - very few pilots out these days, but those coming out are having great flights at Woodside. Steve D logged 4 flights landing at the Ranch and Bill Best's field in great conditions. Later we were joined by Ken F and the last flight they were going to fly to Harvest Market and Ken got up and away before it got too strong for Steve. | Thanks to Alan D for driving as I flew 2 tandems for some Florida kids and parents. Nice soarable conditions at 11:30 am for both flights. It was dark all day at Bridal, while Woodside was bathed in sun after 3 pm. Nice day overall at Woodside for students and experienced pilots alike so we didn't waste time heading to Bridal.
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Woodside Report - a few light showers and low cloudbase kept me in the barn servicing the FlyBC Fleet. Around 2 pm the sky opened up and CUs looked wild! No significant winds, but I was covered in motor oil and dirt so I kept working. No pilots at Woodside or Bridal later in the day either. |
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Woodside Report - a great day for Steve D as he logged 4 solo flights on his new Ozone Rush and we did a car tour towards Harvest and Limbert later in the day to show him his escape routes for windy days. Onni and Magali were out from Pemby and she "skied out" above launch in the cloudy but buoyant air. A few rough patches of air for Steve kept the day interesting especially at Bill Best's field when it was getting thermic. | Equally good at Bridal as Alan D logged 3 hours under cloudy skies launching at noon.
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Woodside Report - a windy forecast never bodes well for our area, but doesn't preclude a few flights. | Steve D was out kiting his new Rush in the LZ and I felt the forecast wasn't great for him as he has been away for three weeks. Later Norm came by and we tried a new "over the back" route as the winds were pretty strong, 17 knot gusts at Chilliwack. The new route is to Limbert Mountain Farms, on the south side of Cemetary Hill. We were concerned about the venturi between Cemetary and Hopyard Hills but we had a nice soaring flight on the South Knoll before heading out and the downwind run was about 50 kph so not too windy. 
The Limbert Farm hayfield LZ is the brown field to the right of Cemetary Hill with the white marshmallow bales - photo by JPR I soared Cemetary Hill for a few minutes scoping out the wind before heading through the gap formed by Cemetary and Hopyard Hills and there was a vulture swooping the grass looking for mice as I came over. Not much wind at all here, and the landing was uneventful right next to the Greenhouses. 
The Limbert Farm Hayfield LZ from above - photo by JPR The young lady that runs the Tea Room came out and waved and brought me out a lemonade. I packed up as Norm approached from over the top of Cemetary Hill. We walked in after finding a dry spot to cross the stream, and talked to the owner and they run a very nice Restaurant from 12-4 pm on weekends. Organic food grown on the farm and fresh too. They call is ``Slow Food``. A new destination for the windy days! Bridal Report - Kevin made it to cloudbase and almost Upper Bridal, Al and Matt had nice flights with multiple top-landings for Matt to hurl! Quit looking at the wing and keep your eyes on the horizon.
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Valley Report - we flew Woodside for 2 great soaring flights starting at noon when the clouds lifted until it got too windy around 2 pm, so we took a break for lunch. Evan, Cynthia, Heiko, Dan, Kelly all flew and had nice flights. | Other experienced pilots went up after we bailed and had to go to Harvest Market where it was still very windy. We headed to Bridal at 4 pm, and kited until 6 pm, when it appeared to have mellowed out so Derek, Alex R, Martina and Colleen and Ryan launched and were soaring the "Knob". 
Alex, Martina and Colleen all on Ozone Addict II's - photo by Cynthia Evan launched and had a great soaring flight but reports of turbulent landing had the rest of the students stand down. 
Evan launching his Atis II at Bridal Lower Launch - photo by Cynthia Saturday, June 13 meteo update - This past Saturday a bunch of us were wondering about the black monster situated on the south side of the Fraser Valley for most of the day. Fortunately, the "s%&t" never hit the fan - in our area. A friend of mine was camping at Chilliwack Lake on Saturday when all hell broke loose at about noon. They had thunder, lightening, hail, strong winds and two hours of torrential rain that caused washouts, mudslides and a flash flood, temporarily cutting of the road. So it was out there, just twenty km from us. Those who had their "spidey sense" tingling were on the money! - Kevin
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Woodside Report - a very busy day at Eagle Ranch even with so many pilots heading to Lumby. | We had 5 tandems booked and they went off flawlessly and professionally with perfect takeoffs and landings and good airtime for the ladies. The students all did well today with Evan from TO who has a USHPA P2 from Santa Barbara only flown a training hill and 50 motor flights getting his first 2 high flights including one to Harvest for his first XC. Cynthia logged her longest flight soaring the evening glassoff while I drove down. Her new Rush II should be here soon so she is putting up with our Advance Epsilon for now. It was getting pretty crowded on the last flights as there were 10 gliders all soaring at 800 meters in the smooth lift before most headed to Harvest, except Rob S and Cynthia the last launchers. Jeremy and Jason on tandem landed at Bill Best's (a bit choppy there) and Michael landed at Wentworth's after eyeing up the Harrison River for some time! Lumby Report - we went up to Coopers and there was a storm front coming in, so hung out there and watched a few launches a lot of them down wind, one with a big tangle and off into the tree's to the left of launch, then another unnamed pilot was heading to the lz but ended up in the trees. Norm and I took off and went up Vernon (Becker) mountain, and Norm took a flight, very smooth and he soared around me and the kids, ( they came up on their dirt bikes). I was taking pictures of Norm and he came over launch low and you could see that huge grin on his face, now that was priceless. After I retrieved him, we went over to the school for more kiting paractice for me, no wind at all, notta none. I layed out my Buzz and thought I would try a forward, wow I had her up and flying it was awesome I did 2 of those perfect before melting and quit. I will say that Buzz loves to fly, since there was no wind at all and it just hung up there when I stopped then I had to move and brake to get her to fall back. Beautiful wing, and Jim Mansell apparently says he is waiting for my next Buzz haha. Anyway wish you were here - Norm and Bev Wouter's Report - Since today I can call myself officially a tandem pilot. It must be the best mail I had in my mailbox since some time! My certification now includes the highest rating for (cross) flying, deputy instructor for both mountain and towflying, and tandem pilot. The last step would be a full instructor rating, but that can wait. Back at our local farmerfield, with excellent thermic conditions, we had a beautiful towing day and I was finally able to show some of my non-flying friends why I've been such a worthless friend the past few years. It was great fun! And I got to play around with my 6907 a bit, which is fast and agile like crazy! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OkY1m86wbgM This will probably be my last update from the netherlands til I arrive June 27 back in Canada .. see you soon, wouter
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Woodside Report - Shane was out hiking Woodside today, 2 "hike & fly" flights for variety. Martina and Gary K had a nice early morning flight to dust off their feathers from working all week . | No students today so I headed up Shotgun with Al, Jeremy and Gary K to try our luck. Al and Jeremy hiked to Upper Shotgun and waited 2 hours for launch cycles, while we had perfect cycles to launch but no energy to stay up as the CUs forming over Sylvester Valley were shading our area. Even the vultures were having trouble maintaining despite multiple tries. Jeremy launched first and hooked one small punchy thermal above us, but could not hold it and decided to top-land on the road by the truck (a first for Shotgun). He landed smoothly. He hiked in to lower Shotgun to try again as Al launched and headed straight out, and didn't get more than a few bumps. Jeremy launched again and they were both headed to LZ 2. We drove down. Denied another chance to go XC from this beautiful site due to clouds. 
Al and Jeremy on the way to LZ 2 - photo by JPR Lumby Report - Well today was another good day, I couldn't get those chicken feathers plucked, so many people there. So Norm launched at Coopers, around 1 pm, he went up and up and up. He went up about 3000 metres, and was very high, he radioed me while I was at Randy's saying he would be going to Vernon, and I replied " Don't you ever land at an LZ?" haha so he said he would land at Randy's after he bled off a lot of height. He says that it is great flying in nice conditions and not the winds that have been happening at Woodside. And now really loves his wing. Because he was so high every one wanted him to spiral, and so I depressed the radio button and everyone yelled spiral spiral spiral, he disappointed us all and came back with I am not "an acro guy". All in all another great day for all pilots flying high and completeing their tasks - Bev
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Valley Report - Alex was the only student out this morning and had a great day adding 5 flights to his paragliding log book.
Derek and Alex were flying Woodside early and both had soaring flights around noon, with the LZ starting to get rowdy by 1:00 pm. | The forecast was changed to `windy this afternoon in eastern Fraser Valley`, so we headed to Bridal and Derek offered to drive so we could do a tandem, When we arrived at launch it was so sweet, another plan was hatched. Alex was to launch and I would fly after him on Derek`s Addict II and spiral into the LZ to guide him. Alex had a flawless reverse launch and was soon soaring the Knob. I launched right after him and entered into a SAT away from the hill and fed that into a great spiral dive, and with all my effort I was soon in the LZ watching him soar around in nice conditions. He followed the directions perfectly to head out over the Club House to check the winds, and then ``figure-8ed`` back to the treeline and landed right next to me in the mowed grass. As we packed up and waited for Derek the winds did pick up but not too badly, so off to lunch in Agassiz for an hour. Rex met us back at the Ranch as did Shane, and we soon had a truckload heading up Woodside for 2 more flights for the guys and everyone was in the circle on the last flight. Nice precision! Good day, solid performances from everyone! If anyone you know is looking to learn to paraglide, send them our way for ``one on one`` personalized training and we can have them certified in 10-12 flying days with the combination of the reliability of Woodside and Bridal and our full time commitment to training. Lumby Report - We are here in Vernon, and Norm flew off of Coopers. Went up as always, I was doing a one on one with my daughter. So tomorrow will be my day. Norm flew from Coopers to King Eddy, against the wind so he did well - Bev
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Woodside Report - Alex (a friend of Greg H and another commercial pilot) came out for his first training day and by noon was ready to forward and reverse launch with ease. Unfortunately, conditions dictated that a tandem was appropriate as it got strong at launch and in the air. | Quite gusty at launch, but Norm pulled off a perfect launch before us and after a few false starts and some overshooting due to the gusts we were off and soaring on the tandem. Some nice climbs in the strong lift, otherwise S turning to not get blown back into the sink. When we launched Harrison Bay was flat but as we flew it got choppier. I watched Norm heading out as it was "work time" for him and he had decent glide and penetration. We always had Harvest Market as an option as we were high. Tom C launched after us and had some nice climbs in the north bowl, and he stayed as we headed out after Norm. Amazingly, we caught and passed Norm around the Maple Tree with 1/2 trims, which is the neutral position on the Magnum 41. We initially had 30 kph on GPS, but as we got near the ground we slowed to 8 kph. Norm registered lower as he backed into the freshly mowed Eagle Ranch LZ and a thermic hell but after some shaking and shuddering he was on the ground. Now our turn, I misjudged the height over the Maple Tree and was coming in pretty low over the fence and was lined up for the circle perfectly but that thermal cracked off and took us up and away as we went on long final ending up at the training hill area. We watched Tom trying in vain to make the Ranch and he was so close but even on full bar he wasn`t penetrating and he almost got in but he got preoccupied with a collapse and a safe landing so he made Bert $20 richer. We decided Bridal looked better so off to lunch and a regroup at Bridal LZ. Bridal Report - we arrived to gusty conditions in the LZ, but good for kiting. Alex was impressive as he kited in the driving range area. Rafe was flying with Andrew as we arrived and despite nice "knob soaring" from our viewpoint he headed down and landed as Andrew top-landed. Neither liked the air and it was getting dark near the Butterfly as it OD'ed. The kiting winds got lamer and lamer so we packed up and I decided it was not prudent to fly here, as the darkness now extended over us and was growing. Back to Woodside as the winds had died to 280 degrees at 3 knots at Chilliwack. When we went through Agassiz, a cell dumped heavy rain and some hail and the winds gusted from the NE at 25-35 kph, glad we are in a dry Van and not on launch or in the air. Once we crossed over Woodside Mountain, we came into a blue hole with no wind. The telescope showed nice launch conditions so we went up Woodside and launched 3 pilots before Alex's first solo. Perfect 15 kph launching winds and no wind in the air and smooth conditions throughout his extended sled ride made for a full day. Upper Shotgun Report - Alex R, Rob and Al hiked up 200 meters above Shotgun and did some launch prep work and ended up with a nice area to setup and launch. Alex launched first and was 200 meters over launch at approximately 900 meters maintaining nicely. Al was to follow as I lost their call, but I did warn them of the 17 knot gusts at Chilliwack that we encountered on the tandem. Later I heard Al launched and sunk out, Alex made it to Hwy 7 and all was well. 
Alex Raymont launches Upper Shotgun on his Ozone Addict II - photo by RGS
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Bridal Report - no pilots came to fly Woodside today, I guess cause it looked overcast. I did get a call from Shotgun as Al waited for cycles, and finally headed to Woodside to check the air here, also lame and blowing down lightly. More projects completed today and then free to fly Bridal at 6 pm. | Derek, Martina, Rick, and I headed up in the FlyBC Van and watched Andrei launch the ancient Edel wing he bought off eBay and he was soaring. Richard T was out and had a nice soaring flight and got to meet John LeBlanc (these two are solo climbers and have done many hikes locally, but never together). Then Derek, Martina, Rick and I were soon in the air. Derek went first and I soon saw his shadow disappear as he climbed the saddle. Martina was soaring near the "Toe" and maintaining when Rick launched and was soon climbing further out and they were both above launch. That meant one of us could top-land! So I got ready. Good launchs from all including me and I was maintaining on the Knob, but not climbing out enough to go anywhere yet, so I tried the Toe, nothing. Further west in the gulley, a small thermal drifted me around but not up. Further west I was climbing slightly but kicking trees. So back to launch, but much lower than my start. This went on for 30 minutes and when I caught enough of a thermal to get in I top-landed and packed up. By the time I got down in the Van, Rick and Martina were packing and Derek just landing. Nice air, just an hour late, but Derek got to Upper Launch and 1500 meters.
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Woodside Report - the day started out with a small contingent that wanted to get some flights in at 10:30 am. Steven, James and a new student Jeremy came out from North Vancouver, Shane arrived just as the shuttle was leaving. Cycles were light when we left the Ranch, but by the time we arrived at launch it was reversible conditions. Dennis was already in the air on his Niviuk Deathship and just above launch. | Derek kept insisting that he drive but I insisted that he fly, as each of the guys launched and climbed higher. I took Jeremy for his first tandem flight and we climbed out immediately in a strong core in front of launch, and continued to cloudbase following three Bald Eagles. Cloudbase was indeed 1200 meters and the lift was +4.5 m/s but perhaps not enough to run to Agassiz Mountain for an XC run. Instead we waited for Derek to join us as we hovered at 'base. Shane, Steven and James were each finding their own thermals while Dennis landed at Riverside?? Derek launched and did a few top-landing passes, but wasn't getting up. I looked down and saw his wing had a tangle on the left side causing some depression on the C's at the outer tip. He flew for a bit and then headed out to the Ranch. We had been up for 30 minutes and it was time for Jeremy to fly, so he took over and flew us to the Ranch. Nice buoyant conditions over Duncan`s and the Maple Tree. A bit bumpier in the Eagle Ranch LZ as the hay crop was just removed and the field is pretty brown, but a good stand-up landing for us. Derek`s tangle was gone as he flared. We collected the students and headed back up to retrieve the Van. Dennis was waiting on the road to get back up and told us that he lost his wallet in-flight as his cockpit zipper was open. We looked around launch but the squirrels are $200 richer today. The guys relaunched and flew to Harvest this time as Jeremy and I drove down. Bridal Report - we arrived at Bridal at 5 pm, too soon apparently as I got to launch first. Rob had mentioned that it looked windy in the trees to the left. He and Derek were weed-whacking as I launched and went straight up and back for 50 meters before heading left. Good climbs near launch but not pleasant. The bowl was equally nasty, as I headed west, it got even worse. I turned back to launch and was just at launch height and thought about top-landing to wait but it was too wild. I flew out and was going up everywhere as I was getting whacked by wind blown thermals. This flight is "over" as I was convinced it was getting windier like the forecast predicted, so I got on the Big Ear`s and flew west to get upwind. The trees in the LZ were looking pretty silvered. I kept the ear`s in until I landed just short of the mowed grass and it wasn`t that windy at ground level. A group of fliers arrived after I landed and launched and had better luck as it calmed down and Derek reported being at 1550 meters around 6:30 pm. Shane launched before Derek and got 1:15 and enjoyed his first flight as a signed off pilot. A flight at Bridal last week with Brett Hazlett looked like nicer conditions!
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Woodside Report - I thought I had made a bad call after telling Phil and Jeremy to stay home earlier, as it was light winds in Chilliwack til noon, but as forecast by 12:30 pm it was howling out here. | Two intrepid ATOS pilots were out ridge soaring the 2 CUs over Woodside but didn't break away. We saw their landings from the Rnach and it looked "spicy" at the HG field. Rick, Rob, Shane and Norm came out despite the forecast and Shane wrote his Novice Exam to kill time. The rest of us did a few projects around the place (gravel around barn spread, planting boxes in Colleen's garden completed, a ton of rocks removed from the driveway and various dangerous spots, thanks guys!). And we waited and it got worse, so we thought Bridal by 5 pm would work. Bridal was strong and you could see silvered trees all the way up to the Saddle, so off to the Wildcat Grill. Derek and Martina came over to fly but agreed that it was too windy and ate. Chilliwack Airport Windtalker was a valuable tool today, 122.975 mhz on some ham radios or 604-792-1003 on cell/landline.
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Woodside Report - we had to wait some time before heading to launch: light rain and low cloudbase until noon. But for those that hung in there, they were rewarded with fabulous flights. | Heiko, Cynthia, Shane, Andrew and new student Carlos all got to fly today. Carlos had his first tandem and loved it as we soared around with Norm. Three flights for the students with strong launch cycles and excellent launches (once pilots relaxed). Derek and Martina showed up late after being at Yarrow Days and she got to try her new Addict II. Flights were averaging 45-60 minutes for the students who climbed as high as 'base several times. Everyone made the Ranch which had some turbulence at times due to haying operations and some strong south winds in Harrison Mills, but no complaints. 
Cynthia on her way out to the Ranch on the Advance Epsilon 3 with Martina closer in to launch on her new Addict II - photo by JPR I got to test fly Mark F's Gin Zoom Race L which is on our used page , and it flew brilliantly. Hardly even dirty on the white leading edge, lines look clean and new too. I flew for 60 minutes as the last launcher around 6 pm, and did one top-landing pass to get Rob's FJ but bailed due to spectators on launch and then the lift was gone. Super day, super people, super hungry as we headed to the Sasquatch for dinner after 8 pm. Just another shitty day in Annecy - Here is a link to a short video I took from a mountain I hiked up to in the Col de la Forclauz area near Talloires - SLEDuardo Rilkoff 
Ed Rilkoff standing on launch - photo by Mrs. Rilkoff
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Woodside Report - I convinced Derek and Jack to come over to fly with nearly signed off students, Dan & Heiko. They claim I always say "It is Good!" and today I was right! | We headed up the mountain after noon after Heiko and Dan wrote their Novice Exams, and we had pleasant cycles and CUs were forming on Sasquatch Mountain. Heiko launched first and climbed out, as did the rest. When I drove down, Dan was at 900 meters and Jack was just launching and by the time I got down Jack was way high above launch. Good landing conditions inspite of the rotating tractors raking and baling Eagle Ranch. Wouter noticed from Holland that the field looked like a Golf Course. Norm launched after Jack landed and was near 1200 meters before heading to Harvest Market to race to work as Bev drove down. We headed to Bridal for flight #2, but saw Alan launch and land at the bottom immediately. Too weird and windy at launch and he times it right as it got very strong all afternoon til dark at both sites. Martina was out kiting her new Addict II and looked very happy!
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Woodside Report - we did go up Woodside around noon but even Dennis wouldn't fly as it was hard leeside winds. So back to the Ranch to kite and chat. Later Rick showed up so we had a wind technician! Back up around 2 pm and cycles were reversible and the wind on the Bay manageable. Rick was soon soaring followed by Shane. Shane made it but Rick came up short of the Ranch having left too low. $20 to Bert. | Back up to try again, stronger cycles and not good for Rex for sure but Rick and Shane were up for another flight. Decent launches and ridge and thermal soaring got both above launch, but alas Rick held on too long again and was soon swamp-bound for another $20 to Bert. Bert could retire on outlandings at this rate! Shane barely made the Ranch as he hit sink and headwinds but he was rewarded with a bubble in the end. Bridal Report - Off to Bridal around 4:00 pm, missing the new shuttle service. Rob and Robin were waiting at the bottom as Rex, Shane and I arrived. This was to be Shane's 2nd Bridal flight as he approaches flight #22 and Rex's 2nd tandem flight after a beautiful soaring tandem flight at Woodside last weekend, and some awesome kiting at the Eagle Ranch Training Hill this morning (16 perfect inflations forward and reverse without a problem!). The XL7 took us up in air-conditioned style with not a scrape and Shane was soon in the air and above launch, followed by Rob and soon Robin. We were last to go and we were soon soaring with Shane. I was staying close to the Knob because I thought we might have to top-land to save a retrieve and when I went to the "Toe" I only got sink or zeros. We had a nice flight but got too low to save ourselves and just enjoyed the air as Rex took over the controls and flew the approach into the swamp. Fortunately, top-landing god Alan got in to drive the XL-7 down. Just after we landed, the Knob was quite crowded as everyone sunk out at roughly the same time after being at 1900 meters earlier (Derek, Alan, Brett H and others). Woodside Report - we back headed to Woodside and conditions were perfect for Rex and Shane and Rex did his first reverse launch and was soon above launch! Light winds gave him plenty of height for turn practice and some 360s before a perfect touchdown. He earned this nice flight after working hard all day in the heat. Revelstoke Report - I now only need 4 more tandems with rated pilots and I will send you the flight log, and get signed off. Sherri and I had a good tandem after my solo flight, and Jeff and Dave got up to 4000 m. and headed north to Martha Creek. I hope the flying is as good when you're here in July! - Cheers, Alan
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Woodside Report - Derek came over to be our "wind technician" and flew the first flight off Woodside around 11 am. Leeside cycles but he went in a steady up cycle but may have been at the end of the cycle as he was sinking fast . . . until he got near the bailout when it got ugly! 45 degree pitches and lots of loose fabric as he got gyrated in the NE wind and ratty thermals. Once clear of the ridge and over Harrison Mills he was climbing and pentrating with 10 kph heading north but he decided to head to the Ranch to land. Oddly, we watched him do a perfect upwind approach NW of the LZ until just over the cornfield when he reversed directions and landed to the east at Stonehenge. The Ranch always amazes me with east winds in the field despite the prevailing winds. and as you all know east wind at the LZ is always smooth and good. | We bailed after his adventure and headed to Bridal. Bridal Report - we arrived at the bottom at 3 pm, and Alan volunteered to drive for us. Strong east had some "chimps" from an un-named school kiting in the driving range, so Lewis and I joined them until it got light and we headed up. Derek, Tom Chromy, Dennis, Alan, Lewis and I headed up in the Big Blue Van now "logo 'ed up" to advertise the Universe's Largest Paragliding School :-) We arrived to light east at lanch and Derek and Dennis launched first and were climbing in the bowl. Lewis and I got the tandem ready as this would have been his first solo flight and we were missing our LZ coach Colleen (who has to work for a living). We waited at the high launch spot for some time, baking in the heat, but we got a nice clean cycle that had us off in a few steps and above launch immediately. The best lift was by the "toe" west of launch and we were patient there for 10 minutes gaining slightly as Tom Chromy launched his new Addict II and went east hoping for lift but only found sink as he followed the other school's tandem that way. We were hovering by the "toe" when a boomer cracked off and we were soon at the saddle climbing fast, as we saw Dennis and Derek east of Archibald struggling. Dennis came back to launch and had the same fate as Tom hitting sink. I got bold and headed downwind to Gloria from saddle height and we hit sink below Upper Launch at about -4 m./s sustained. Yikes, this is how to lose altitude fast. we were also downwind of the launch now and it took a long time in sink to return there. We got there pretty low and didn't get up again so I let Lewis fly the approach to the Swamp LZ (still east there). Flight stats: +5.8 m/s lift, - 5.5 m/s sink, 45 minutes. Derek was now above Archibald as Dennis was hovering over the golf course enjoying the bubbles over the road. We joined Dennis and it felt like we could stay up all day there. No one else had launched during our 45 minute flight as there were no cycles so it was just Dennis and us in the approach and Derek up high. As I setup over the driving range, the sind started to switch South so I flew along the road and then it switched to west so we did a swooping turn into the cone, with perfect execution except Lewis forgot to run so he folded up on landing. No damage, and we were out of Dennis' way for his landing. As we packed up Nikolai launched and soon many pilots were in the air as we drove to Woodside to try to capture a glass-off" flight and Lewis' first solo. When we arrived at the Ranch pilots reports were coming in: Derek at 2160 meters, Robin close to Derek, and Rob was even climbing when I checked the Chilliwack ATIS before we headed up. Yikes! It was reporting 260 at gusts to 29 knots! This went on for 10 minutes or more. We knew the strong winds were coming as Langley and Abby were reporting gusty conditions. Not to scare anyone, but I relayed the wind reports and pilots were soon scattering to safer LZs. Robin landed at Harvest Market in 30+ kph winds, Derek said it was quieter in the Agassiz Rec Center (lee of Cemetary Hill), and Rob made it to the Swamp LZ on his R09 despite being low at the Bridal Falls. Then the wind subsided. Woodside Report #2 - Tom Chromy, John L, Lewis and I were the sole pilots at launch. Nice cycles and some wind lines on the water, but Chilliwack was reporting 260 at 10 knots, and CYXX was 210 at 5 knots. Tom launched first and was thrermalling nicely, until he got a bit low and hit Rob's "400 meter wall of wind" as he described later on the phone. There was no wind on the ground and at 700 meters but there was a nasty layer of strong SW wind at 400 meters. Unfortunately, Tom had his radio turned down and I was trying to guide him to smoother air but he didn't hear me so he continued through the trash all the way to Riverside. He landed fine and John L launched and when he hit the trash I guided him downwind/crsosswind to the highway and past the ridge where he then could penetrate to the Ranch. Still too "spicy" for Lewis' first flight so we headed down to retrieve the guys for another attemt. This flight went better for Tom and John and reports of smooth air had Lewis clipped in and ready for his first solo flight and he pulled off a nice reverse launch and was soon above launch. He practiced lots of S turns on the way out and spme speed control and had a perfect aircraft approach and landing right near the circle (his 80 hours in a Cessna seems to have paid off!). Everyone had to run home as it was now after 8 pm, so I got to start chores until dark. Great day despite the east winds - Jim
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Woodside Report - we waited until 11 am for Shane and Lewis to arrive and watched videos until we drove to the launch. | We watched carefully at launch for signs of leeside activity but got pretty constant up air for 15 minutes. No birds around or other pilots. Steve clipped into the Ozone Mojo 3 and we raido checked and got a great 3 minute cycle and he launched and maintained altitude all the way to the construction site. There everything changed and he saw soon 300 meters above launch and climbing fast without turning. I had him start a 360 to ensure he didn't fall out of that core! Steve managed the glider well and he was soon around 1200 meters and it looked rough and strong so I had him fly back to launch hoping to find some stable air, but that didn't work so I flew him back the the Valley. Out in the Valley he hit the north wind and he had to face the Harrison River and I had him fly straight for the cooler air from the river but he was still at 1250 meters estimated. Everywhere he went was up, no sink to be found. Bring on the big ears! Steve was quickly briefed on why there are split A's and instructed on the correct amount of outer A to pull down and he was finally descending slowly into the Valley. I headed him over to Bill Best's field as it works well in NE winds away from the rotor of Woodside and he held the ears until flaring. His comment "That really smoothed things out when I did Big Ears!". Derek retrieved Steve on the way to the Ranch and when I drove down conditions in the valley had changed to strong NE wind which must have created the leeside thermals that took Steve skyward so fast. He did a great job managing the wing and I think we have a solid pilot coming up in the ranks. Norm and Derek came up to Woodside for a flight, but didn't like the sound of the freight trains thru the trees so we drove to Bridal after lunch. Bridal Report - Shane, Derek, Steve and I headed up Bridal in the Dodge Shuttle and Derek was soon in the air climbing. Alan had been struggling as we assessed the LZ but was now at 1300 meters on Archibald. Light east on launch with occasional cycles up and Shane was soon off for his first Bridal flight. Smooth air with light lift. Steve followed him off and they had extended sledders and great landings near the cone. I drove down and came back with the guys in Kevin's rig which I volunteered to drive down. This flight was a longer wait for a cycle but better lift and the guys did well again and we were finished at 6:15 pm. Derek 2160 meters and Alan 2400 meters at times and they did a fly-by Upper Launch and were still in the air when I drove to Vancouver for dinner. Good day in the Valley with varied air.
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Woodside Report - a very windy outflow day meant no flying even later, but Shane made good use of the Eagle Ranch LZ for kiting practice. | Jason finished the bathroom painting and installed the laminate floor, leaving me the plumbing final touches and by 10 pm we had a working bathroom with hot & cold running water. Shower to follow in a few weeks, but everything is tested and operational. The gravel was delivered between the two barns to eliminate the muddy areas, but a bit of hand shovel work is required close to the barns that the harrow can't reach if you are really bored and want to contribute some time today??? Derek, Alan and I met Abe to deliver a culvert for the proposed Riverside LZ Road in from the new road behind the Koffee Kettle. Costs were forwarded to the WCSC Directors and tey appear very reasonable to have a 2 wheel drive road to the LZ. This is an important safety feature as we currently would have problems getting an ambulance down to Riverside if needed. For details call Natalyia.
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Woodside Report - we started flying at 10 am and the new students; Steve, David, Kevin and Cynthia all got their first 3 solo flights. They decided they were ready for the "bumps" on flight 3 as reports from incoming pilots aid it was rowdy at the Ranch but they all loved managing the turbulence (we may have created some "monsters"? already.) | We took a break for lunch and returned to the mountain at 5 pm, as it calmed down to east winds at the Ranch and I was voted "wind dummy" by Colleen (while Kelly stayed down and painted the new bathroom facilities earning her a gold star). I launched in nice cycles, and was soon soaring 200 meters over when I decided I should test the air further out before sending off the students to ridge-soar. Meantime, Bev was skidding around launch trying to get in the air and I missed the mayhem. No vario or gps, but it was bumpy at times and I had good altitude when I hit the ridge but at the ridge I parked. I was about 400 meters over Harrison Mills but not moving. I went on half bar and was soon by the goal post trees as I cut the corner when I released bar at tree top height and was going backwards again?? WTF! I nailed the bar and got in front of the trees, did a few S's and landed to the east smoothly. The students would not like this air, so a plan was hatching to take them to harvest for their first XC flights. Norm was to launch and head to Harvest while I drove there to guide them in. I got in the Van as Norm launched. He was soon 100 meters below launch no matter where he went. He tried the South Knoll, then the north cliffs and he was lower yet. If there was lift he can find it and there was none. Another day was scheduled for the students and Norm flew out to the Ranch penetrating well until he hit a sheer layer at 100 meters that turned him a full 180 degrees and sent him downwind over the LZ. It was "rock and roll" to the ground. Later John L hiked up and flew at 7 pm and reported smooth air, but we were packed up by then. Reports were coming in over the air waves of pilots at Elk, over Gloria, etc. at Bridal so that site was working for advanced pilots, but I don't like taking 3-4 flight students there until they perfect their landing skills. Our group had fantastic launch skills for their second day out, but Bridal amy be a few moe flights out for them.
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Woodside Report - we had a group of brand new students and some from last fall and everyone started kiting in the landing circle with the good students heading to the Training Hill when they werre ready. | This extremely talented group was soon all on the training hill queued up waiting for their turns to fly down. The cycles were strong enough for some extended "hang time". We soon had the group briefed and ready for tandems or solo flights and only Sheri opted for the tandem, as did Rex who was an interested bystander. 
Training hill queue at Eagle Ranch, take a number - photo by JPR The conditions for the first flights by Jack and Diane were already rowdy and thermic, so we waited after lunch to try again. In the meantime I took Libby tandem for her first flight and we had decent speeds and good landing conditions, we went back up the hill with students and John L flew and reported strong winds and sink on the way out. I took Rex tandem and we had a nice flight but it was too thermic and punchy for first student flihhts for sure! Good landing conditions again but sinky after the ridge. We waited for some more time and then John L went again after Colleen reported trashy sheer layers near the Ridge. I followed with Sheri for my third tandem and we were soon soaring above launch as the trucks drove down. John caught some magic air on the way out and was soon at 1000 meters over the valley. We were right behind him and a bit lower and didn't catch it. He was still in the air an hour after we landed . . . so much for being home early! Vernon Report - Well we are here in the ok and what do you know but blown out ratty air. We were at Randy's and I got to see the color of my new wing. I did a bit of kiting. Then we thought lets see how Mara might be, got up there and it was coming in from the north and the south, Norm launched and I went and picked him up at the lz, (there are a load of horses in there that went over to inspect Norm, haha poor guy) I finally got there and he told me the air was quite spicy. We came back to the kids and had dinner and then we went over to the high school and I did a bunch more kiting. Oh I am in instant love now. There is this little hill that you can run down like a training hill, and I was running down this hill with my wing. It was so awwesome, and Norm suggested I try a forward, so I did and it was perfect, I had a huge grin on my face!! Norm did some kiting with my Buzz, and he had a bit of a time bringing it up with the first couple of tries haha I think he is too used to his Factor. So tomorrow is another day. I am ready to fledge after my kiting woohoo and I am so happy to have my Buzz again. - Bev Spain Report - I would like to register myself for the 2-day SIV course in Revelstoke in July. Is it ok if I give you the $100 deposit once I get back to Vancouver around the 20th of June? What helped me make the final decision about taking the course was my flight at Cebreros near Madrid today. I launched nicely at 3pm after observing some poor guy being dragged all over the (huge) take off area. There was lift and turbulence everywhere which wasn't making me happy, especially as I was tired after a 1-hour thermal flight just an hour before. Once I was in the vicinity of the LZ I remembered what you say you do if the air is beyond your tolerance level: pull big ears and glide to landing. So I did and was happily going down at -4m/s through what would be lift and turbulence otherwise. About 150-200m agl, however, it started to throw me around even with the big ear puled in! That I absolutely did not expect and panicked a bit. That was when I thought of the SIV. I know it's not gonna eliminate turbulence but I hope it will give me faith in my glider. So I decided to let out the big ears and grab the brakes to regain control and make the final approach. Surprisingly it worked and I landed safely (but got some weird looks from instructors) and I'm still not sure if it made any sense (to let out big ears hoping to gain stability). It's been a second Saturday of me flying with the local club/school called "De Madrid al Cielo" and I've flown two sites in seven fights already. Instructors don't speak English but some students do so I had a backup for my broken Spanish. It's nice but there's no place like mother Woodside :) Cheers, - Mike
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Woodside Report - Gary K, Phil and James were the only pilots out at Woodside this morning. Conditions were rather calm so a "best glide contest" was organized towards Kilby Beach. For a best glide one must maintain a straight line and keep streamlined to maximize your speed, and this was discussed in the briefing pre-flight. | In the end, Gary made the Community Centre field past School Road, Phil and James were in Bill Best's field for their graduation flights. Congratulations on passing your novice exams and completing over 45 flights at numerous sites around BC. I flew another flight later with Norm's new Factor and while I was able to maintain for a bit, the sink on the way out (-2.7 m/s sustained) all the way to the construction site had me pretty low and had Norm cringing. I barely made it over the ridge to Duncan's but caught some lift across the Duncan field and landed just short of the circle. Nice wing. As it was forecast to blow out later we head to Lil Nic. Lil Nic Report - Al, Gar K, Phil and James made the trek to Lil Nic in the Unimog. The road is in great shape all the way to the top, no gates. The last km is under a tight canopy of trees but a regular height vehicle could make it through without hitting the sides too much. There has been some vandalism in the form of a fire on launch that spread and killed some trees but it is launchable without any cleanup. We decided the +35 kph thermal gusts were too strong even for "the Hammer" and drove down. In the past we used to fly in these conditions but not with students. We headed up Shotgun to check out the cycles there but it was too Southerly and we headed back to the Ranch. Mount Breckenridge Report - Mount Breckenridge is the large mountain that is at the northerly end of Hrrison Lake on the east side. You can see it from Bridal Launch through the gap at Harrison. 
Mount Breckenridge on Harrison Lake - photo by JPR Intrepid "hike & flier" John L. decided it was a good flying site and headed up there solo on Friday morning at 5 am. He is flying a Geo II/Oxygen combo pack and he reported that he stopped at a rest point part way up and found the wind to be warm and suitable to launch (thermic). He thought kiting to test the air to be a smart move and he was soon launched and climbing to the summit under thermal power vs foot power. His intent was to climb to the summit and then fly down but this plan involved less energy. He landed next to his car on the road and was back in the Valley by 6 pm, calling in the gloat reports. John is willing to take other hikers on his excursions but likes to hike fast so don't slow him down!
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Shotgun Report - Jack, Al and I headed up to Shotgun at 130 pm, and the day looked pretty lame on the way up there, no CUs. | Al got ready as the cycles started to get stronger and had a good launch and maintained at launch height 500 meters for some time, but alas ended up in the well flagged LZ2. We were ready to bail when we went to get Al but he wasn't ready to admit defeat yet. Back to launch we headed and off Al goes again in a much stronger cycle and with some scratching and perseverance he is soon at 1550 meters over Sylvester Road near Mt. St. Benedict, before heading over the back to the Norrish Valley and beyond. 
Al climbing out at Shotgun near the "chimney" - photo by JPR We lost radio contact but he heard that his truck would be at Eagle Ranch as we headed to Bridal. I want to fly this site when the odds are better and I can see the CUs a bit. On the way to Bridal I got a call from Matt J who had sunk out below Gloria and was somewhere in SW Rosedale, so I headed out to find him. Rob and Kevin were helping from the air to locate him too, thanks guys. Once I got Matt, and arrived at the bottom we were getting reports of east wind at launch and hard top landing approaches so we had to drive up to get Matt's truck. Jack and John L. came up to see if they could fly and amazingly both got off in a calm cycle and had some nice soaring. Eventually Kevin did top-land and drove Nikolai's truck down. We started hearing from Al around 5:15 pm, as he approached Harrison Mills low. He landed one field short of Eagle Ranch a short walk to his truck. Good flight given the lame conditions for another 50 kms on his log book!
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Woodside Report - Alan brought a childhood buddy, Neil, out for a tandem today. They bumped into each other hiking Bridal last week and Neil has
been living in Quebec for 20 years so it was a fluke to meet up there. | Neil and I launched on our brand new Magnum 41 at 1:30 pm, nice straight cycles to kite up the glider and check the lines before getting "hoovered off". We launched after Jason who had a beautiful launch and was soon 200 meters over launch despite having to be back at work soon. We were also soon at 900 meters soaring with some immature bald eagles near the South Knoll, the air a bit chunky at times but good +4.5 m/s up if you stayed in the core. We had a good collapse trying to core under a small CU near the north cliffs but the Magnum didn't even turn one degree. I guess the core was smaller than a 41 meter glider?? Alan heard the collapse but by the time he saw it it was mostly reinflated. We flew for 45 minutes and landed at the Ranch in south winds, nice landing conditions despite the lapse rate. We were being conscious of the wind warnings as we headed back up for Robin to fly his new Mantra M3. At 11 am, Environment Canada revised the forecast and dropped the "windy" part but the coastal forecast was still strong. Rick launched first, then Robin had a spicy launch as we got plucked off in a strong cycle (no blowouts). I followed Robin on the Addict II and we were "duking it out" at times but I foolishly forgot my vario with my tandem gear and had to follow Robin and the eagles to get up. Robin had the clear climb advantage and I headed out after 45 minutes of soaring up to 1100 meters estimated by the tower height. Jack and Kevin came up while we were in the air and launched and were doing well as Robin continued his maiden M3 flight. Brad showed up later and Jason and I mooched a ride up with him so I could test the new Ozone Mojo3 Large. Nice design with wine colored leading edge and triangular cell openings. Jason got daring and test flew a Gin Rebel and did very well on it, while Brad was test flying a Mantra M2. The Mojo 3 did very well in the climbs and despite to "swirled up" Harrison Bay I had 28-30 kph on the way out to the Ranch while Kevin, Jack, Robin all headed over the back to Harvest from about 1200 meters. I came over the Ranch at 780 meters, nice glide on the Mojo 3. 
Eagle Ranch in beautiful sunlit Harrison Mills - photo by JPR Nicole and Alex came by later and had a nice flight at Bridal getting to 1700 meters near the Lakes despite some shading due to clouds. Thanks again to Alan and Neil who drove for all of us today!
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Woodside Monsoon Report - I was glad we got the Barn to lockup stage on Monday (thanks again to Alan and Rick for helping frame in the back wall and bathroon partitions), as the skies opened up and dropped buckets of rain all day. | We are now waiting for Jason to come to paint the bathroom so we can install the fixtures and have it operational by the weekend. It is situated in the NW corner of the barn with exterior access only. Wood Rat OR Report - Having an excellent time at Woodrat! Well I am anyway, Norm wasn't too impressed when I snapped a shot of him below me ;) 
Norm grovelling below Martina - photo by ML We've been taking advantage of the shuttles and getting 3 flights each day - a morning sledder, afternoon thermal flight & magical glass off in the evenings. I think there were over a hundred pilots here this weekend so the skies were sure crowded! A nice break from the gaggles was flying over to Longsword Vineyards to land to applause from the guests at the outdoor tasting room and a free glass of wine. 
The Vineyard - photo by ML The conditions have been excellent and even though we're not getting super high (Norm got the highest at 2000 metres) there's plenty of lift to do the crossings to Rabies Ridge & back. We've managed to hook into the magical convergence that sets up here throughout the last few days too which is so much fun! 
Rabies Ridge - photo by ML Norm is moping after seeing the rain back home as he's heading back tomorrow, but Derek & I are playing in the sun for the rest of the week. I'm joining Brad Gunnicio's SIV clinic at Lake Shasta from Wed-Friday, then we might try & squeeze in one more day of flying at Woodrat before heading back on the weekend. - Life is good - Martina & Derek
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Bridal Report - Nick and Hans from Bellingham headed up Bridal at 2:30 pm, despite wind warnings and strong winds in the LZ to have a sweet flight landing in 10 kph west winds later. They arrived at the Ranch after 5:00 pm while Alan, Rick and I were working on the new bathroom installation and other renovations in the Barn. We are ready to start framing on Tuesday for the bathroom walls as most of the plumbing is in now, starting at noon. |
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Woodside Report - we were busy gardening as Kelly took pilots up the mountain to fly (still glowing from the Revelstoke flights). Gary K had three flights, Heiko and Rick made Bert richer by $40 by missing the landings due to high winds and sinky air. About 15 flights were accomplished safely before the winds really picked up, and the winds continued past 9:30 pm. | Elk Report - Mark F, James and Phil flew Elk landing in "spicy conditions" around 11 am. Elk is really an early morning site unless it is winter and no wind, because the landing is on top of Ryder Lake plateau which is rotory from south or north winds. Bridal Report - we heard Evelyn and Andrew flying Bridal mostly around the soaring knob, but Andrew did make it to the Saddle. Landings were windy and turbulent. I am not sure whether it calmed down much there later.
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Revelstoke Report - Old Guys/Girls Rule. | Alan Polster launched before us after he and Bernie (from Golden) drove up ahead of us and he and Bernie were seen below the 1400 meter launch struggling to stay up. We launched anyway and Chris, Thane and I were soon grovelling with them at 1200 meters while Colleen launched and "skied out" immediately to 2000 meters, her report below. Alan's flight report here In the end is was Alan who got highest at 3280 meters, Colleen at 2000 meters and me at 2880 meters at which point I was elated with the views and started taking pictures - Jim Colleen's Mackenzie Report - Checking out Mount McKenzie Jim and I arrived in Revelstoke at 11:30 – little cu’s had been guiding our way since Kelowna, and winds were light. We met up with Chris D. who gave us a tour of the LZs and guided us to launch, picking up Thane along the way. The road to launch is a very easy gravel road winding under the ski lifts. We decided to launch at the 5.5 km mark at about 1480 m – Alan Polster was already in the air boating around above launch as we arrived and Bernie from Golden had launched and landed below launch to fix his harness. The launch area is a wide ski run, and we set up just above a road. 
The 1400 meter Mt. Mackenzie Launch viewed from the road - photo by JPR Jim launched first, impressing the boys with his kiting control, and he caught some lift as soon as he was clear of the trees. Chris launched well, followed by Thane who lost about 1/3 of his wing flying down the ski slope through the corridor of trees. I was the last to set up, and was disappointed to see all the guys (including Alan!) well below launch and some way out into the valley. 
Alan Polster and Bernie looking for lift over the ski runs before we launched - photo by JPR I was lucky, though – easy lift off launch, and reasonably smooth lift to 2000 metres. I fell out, sunk to 1300, back up to 2200, and then repeated the process. Meanwhile, the guys were fighting gravity – from my perspective, close to the trees. Alan, then Jim, and eventually Chris saved themselves and climbed out. 
The view south to Arrow Lake from 2800 meters ASL - photo by JPR Alan made it to 3200 m, Jim to 2800, and Chris definitely made the best save of the day. I kept doing the "yo-yo", and meanwhile the thermals seemed bossier and bossier, and rougher. 
The view east to Golden from 2800 meters ASL, the top launch area is at 2400 meters near the top tram station - photo by JPR The view was spectacular, and the town and airport both seemed to be an easy glide. 
Revelstoke townsite and airport from 2800 meters ASL - photo by JPR I got weary of battling the rough stuff and glided out over what is usually the flooded Montana Slough (which at present is almost totally dry). The LZ on the edge of the slough is a field nicely mowed by the local radio-controlled aircraft club. It took quite a bit of effort to get down as there was lift everywhere – including the LZ. Chris and Jim landed after over an hour, and we retrieved while Alan continued his 3 hour plus flight. 
The RC LZ is just next to the road near the grove of trees left of my foot - photo by JPR The site will be amazing for manoeuvres if the Slough gets flooded, so we booked ourselves into a campsite for July! Thanks to Alan and Chris for a great day - Colleen. 
Spot Landing Dock at Williamson Lake Campground - photo by JPR Check with local pilots for access information and current landing options. Alan Polster - 250 837 5206 or 250 814 4468 Chris Delworth - 250 837 3979 or 250 814 8250
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Kelowna Report - I drove up to Blue Grouse Launch at 11:30 am, and the north wind was still present.
You can fly in north wind, but not soar and we waited for 30 minutes and it was slowly turning around but I had the grandkids with us and they weren't enjoying "parawaiting", so we drove down. | Later the winds switched to south and CUs were forming along the west ridges til dark, so it would have been an epic day if we were more patient. Another road trip we will revisit this site and try to go XC.
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Kelowna Report - the forecasted +20 kph NW winds were present when we arrived at 9:30 am, so Blue Grouse was out. Instead a family day unfolded with shoping and pool action for the kids. | Bridal Report - Looked like a great Hope day - light winds. Good air reported by pilots, although no great elevation gains. Alex, Nicole, I and Rob launched between 3:40 and 4:00 pm. Alex, Nicole and I flew pretty quickly to Cheam and worked our way over to the lakes where we enjoyed the usual big fat thermal for the jump to the Butterfly. At Ludwig we heard a report from Martin Henry that the winds in general were quite light so we decided to head for Hope. The google pics tell most of the story. We stayed pretty high but it wasn't always easy. At one point I stayed at a peak and worked it while Alex and Nicole surged ahead only to get low and come back to grovel with me. When we finally had the airport in sight, we had such good height that Alex suggested we fly on to Hope Mountain with all of its big rock faces basking in the afternoon sun. Sure enough, after arriving at less than 1000 m, we all worked our back up to about 1300 and played on the mountain for at least 45 minutes. Eventually, we heard from Norm that the winds in town were quite light so we decided to land at Norm's School, Hope Secondary. We crossed the valley all the way to where the Fraser River turns north and east. It was still very buoyant and I found myself looking for sink. Alex who was lower, began to report significant wind during the descent and shortly after that he reported that it was quite turbulent over Norm's school so he opted for the Coquihalla Elementary which looked like a bigger field with cleaner air. Despite this choice, Alex had a big frontal on his final and warned us to get upwind as much as possible. I had been pretty busy trying to find sink and needed quite a bit of speed bar to get into a good landing position in front of the bending poplars and power lines at the east end of the field. I had completely lost track of Nicole, so was very surprised when she dropped into view 50 metres ahead. Now we both needed to carefully avoid each other all the while trying not to get blown into the poplars and control the surging wings. As it was, we both came down softly - that is our bodies did. Our minds were higher for quite a while. What a great flight - my first flight to Hope. The highlight for me was soaring Hope Mountain with its astounding views. It was also wonderful to fly with such superb pilots. Lots of great suggestions made via the radios. - Kevin, Alex, Nicole flying to Hope is usually pretty easy . . . surviving the landing in high winds is the tough part even in the wide open Hope Airport area - JR. 
Kevin`s track log to Hope and beyond - photo by JPR Shotgun Report - I flew SHOTGUN again today. Launch was a bit leeside but managed to climb out at the usual place, it just took a bit more work. Climbed to 1756 M and made it to Best's LZ. GPS showed 63KM total. It was interesting flying in the mountains today with the north component - Hammer 
Al`s track log to Harrison Mills and Bill Best`s field - photo by JPR
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Woodside Report - we were out backfilling the ditches behind the barn in a monsoon and later I got the red tractor stuck very deep in the muck while roto-tilling. | 
Ford Tractor stuck real good - photo by JPR Derek came over to help pull it out with the 'Mog and when we were done, the skies opened up and we went flying. I launched first on the new Buzz L and was climbing nicely in front of launch in a strong core. The lift to the north was good too, until I hit a sink cycle that had me down at lower launch height. Struggling near the trees, I found a small strong core and didn't want to lose it when 6 vultures came in below me and started sharing the thermal and one climbed through me and showed me the way up. The vultures were a few meters away through the climb out and totally un-afraid of the big green bird sharing the sky. 
Woodside after 3 pm today - photo by JPR Meanwhile Derek had launched and soared and top-landed to call Martina to come over "cause it was so good". And he relaunched while I was boating around. I hit some sink again while Derek was at 1000 meters and I barely made the Ranch, actually I was fine once I hit the Construction Zone and I landed at Stonehenge. The mountain got shaded as Martina arrived and Derek was soon also in Stonehenge. We drove up to retrieve and it was still cycling up nicely. Bridal looked soarable with huge embedded CUs everyhere along the ridge but no pilots on the radio.
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Shotgun Report - hail, rain and wind with towering CUs. We didn't fly but did watch some eagles core up from ground level to cloudbase near Sylvester Road. |
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