| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
|
| 
| 
| 
|
FlyBC "Site of the Day Archives" - March/2010
|
|
| 
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Aloft @ 3000' NOAA | Rate /1000' | Base | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
| (unstable) |
Woodside Report - Alan, Dennis and John were already up on Woodside Launch when I arrived to the Ranch. Dennis had launched and was scratching over the clearcuts, and then Alan and John. Alan was quite vocal about "not liking the air" and he flew further out and was climbing near Harrison Hill, and pretty much anywhere he went. Dennis was much lower when Derek, Norm and I arrived on launch at 1:30 pm and we watched him fight his way into Riverside. He recommended that John land on a sandbar as Riverside was turbulent. Alan was following John to the sandbar but was going up everywhere, and when he had enough height we suggested Eagle Ranch as a suitable LZ. He made it in to the Ranch easily from east of Riverside. Norm launched at 1:50 pm, and pretty much had to spiral down to land before leaving for work. Sucks to be working afternoons on a good day! I drove the newest FlyBC Bus back down the mountain on our maiden trip as the throttle was sticking . . . no it isn't a Toyota! We had a large group congregate at the Ranch after 3 pm. Al, Derek, Jason, Alan (as driver), Rob and I drove up in Derek's rig and conditions were weird at launch. Lots of aborts and twisted up wings despite the windsocks saying it was straight and steady? Once in the air you could feel the strong turbulence and lift as it was very unstable today. Al had launched before me and was scratching over the highway before he got a climb above launch. Derek launched next and was climbing right off launch. I was flying the Mantra R09 and it was flying very nicely despite the bumps, with a steady climb right off launch. Al had launched before me and was scratching over the highway before he got a climb above launch. A few minutes into the flight Derek reported that "he didn't like the air" and he was heading out toward the Ranch abandoning plans to leave the truck at the Kettle, but Alan took the truck down to the Ranch later. The air near the north cliffs was pretty strong, but not that bad where I was so I got well above launch around 1100 meters before heading south across the river to a large CU. 
Woodside around 3:30 pm today - photo by JPR (GoPro Helmet Cam) Slow progress even on an R09 but I crossed over at 1000 meters and it was lifting everywhere at 0.5 m/s. When I got to the cloud I could tell I was on the leeside of the lift as it got rougher and sinkier. No way to get to Bridal this way! 
On the other side of the Fraser as the camera started to fog up near cloud - photo by JPR (GoPro Helmet Cam) I hung out over the sandbars where the lift was nice, not windy but a long way from Riverside and the Ranch, but I was on an R09 that glides really well! When I turned toward the Ranch I was getting 42 kph groundspeed so no issues getting there, in fact I had to spiral down to get through the lift over the Harrison Mills flats even later. 
Spiralling down to the Duncan's Maple Tree Field - photo by JPR (GoPro Helmet Cam) Conditions at the Ranch had calmed down with light south winds and the odd thermal popping off and I had a nice approach and floated almost to the training hill before the R09 landed. A later flight with everyone but myself yielded great glassoff conditions with everyone freezing and having to land to warm up.
|
| (unstable)
Blanchard WA Report - Scott M called to say he loves his new Nova Factor 21 after a flight at Blanchard last night. Yes, in addition to being Ozone's largest Canadian Dealer we also carry Nova in Canada and the US. | 
Scott "throwing it down" on his Factor :-) - photo by JPR Woodside Report - while Alan hiked up Bridal to do some road repairs, I decided a drive up Woodside was the call around 1:30 pm. After waiting for a logging truck to complete loading I was on launch and it was snowing lightly with big development all around. And it was gusty. I confirmed the gusts on the Sumas Windtalker, which recorded 180 degrees at 9-18 mph. 
Woodside around 1:30 pm today - photo by JPR I decided it was a bit strong to fly and expect to top-land, and drove down. Al arrived after 3:30 pm, and we tried again. This time it was even spicier on launch and Sumas reporting gusts to 21 mph. Even the birds were having trouble with penetration. We drove down again and Al went kiting while I mowed and it was pretty strong and twitchy in our field at the Ranch. Good workout for Al. 
Woodside around 3:30 pm today - photo by JPR
|
| (unstable)
Wild Woodside Weather Report - rain, wind and hail from all quadrants reported today. | I had a brief reprieve that allowed me to go to the Bailey Dump for a garbage run, then started working on the Bus Project til the rain started again. Expect snow near Woodside and Bridal Launches as the freezing level has dropped to 2000 feet. Does anyone know how to remove dual wheels that appear to be frozen on to a brake drum? Belated Elk Report from 3/27/2010 - Kevin "Biff" reported that a large group went up Elk despite the winds, and they all got off and most had sled rides but he "eke'd out" 45 minutes while we were getting very rough conditions at Woodside. Nice flight! Hawaii Gloat Report - Waiting to get things started for another day and figured I'd give a quick update. First let me start off by saying this place is out of this world. Absolutely incredible. Yesterday was even more amazing. Three hour flight in the morning, landed, rested and hiked up for another one. 
Hawaii Flying - photo by Louise This one was even better. A bit spicy on launch, 25 - 30 kph but pretty steady. Only flew for just over an hour as in the end hunger won out, but managed to get across Kahana Bay and to the other side. 
Hawaii Flying - photo by Louise There, myself and one other pilot continued on past one set of mountains to fly over the Kualoa Valley. This is the valley where they filmed Jurassic Park. Managed to get up to cloud base, and the valley and surrounding mountains opened up below. It really did look like a world from another time. One more set of mountains and we were on the other side over another bay. The mountains are pretty crazy looking, all razor backs, the trees dancing to the rhythm of the wind. After some more gaping at the surroundings, it was time to top up and turn back for the sunset flight back to our original bay and beach where the rest of the crew were waiting. Another amazing day in paradise - Aloha, Louise 
Hawaii Flying - photo by Louise
|
| (unstable)
Desperado Report - Thomm, Norm and I went up to Woodside Launch around 2 pm, because it was clearing and not so windy, but as we arrived it started raining hard . . another wasted trip but worthy of the new Desperado T-Shirts available soon at FlyBC . |
|
| (stable)
Woodside Report - we had a small traffic jam at 4 kms today on the way up as a log loader had rolled over due to a transmission failure. No injuries, and it was righted before 1 pm. | 
Tipped over loader at 4 kms near the "scary corner" - photo by JPR Thomm, Martin N, Gary K, Al, Heiko, Norm and I all headed up in two trucks. When we arrived we had good inflow cycles, coupled with leeside prevailing winds . . . so we knew it was leeside. Al launched first and was getting "bobbed up & down like a cork" in a rough sea, but he hung in there. Usually on a leeside day it is prudent to go further out to escape any rotor if it is easterly. I launched the R09 and was going thru "washing machine" air near launch and headed further out near the bailout where I saw three eagles climbing out. Bad call as the north winds hit me coming over the north ridge line! Several 30% collapses signalled the rough air and it was tough to find and hang onto a core and after awhile I gave up and headed out to the valley in hopes of a smoother climb. I had to head all the way over to Mill Road to find smoother air, but was able to come back to Eagle Ranch to land. Thanks to the awesome glide of the R09. I packed up and watched Al get above launch as he stayed in closer and avoided the north winds, eventually gliding into Riverside. About an hour passed as I was doing garden chores, when I saw Thomm getting above launch for a short period and then heading out to the Ranch, followed by Gary K and Norm. They all had rather short flights! Heiko and Martin drove down. Oddly the forecast was for S to SE winds aloft, but all I saw was due north? Not sure if anyone else flew in the Valley as Alan hike up and down Bridal not liking the east wind at Bridal Lower.
|
| (unstable)
Woodside Report - Woodside was blown out and rainy all day. |
|
| (unstable)
Savona Report - we were planning for Mark to test-fly some gliders today at Woodside but the forecast was wrong and we had rain by 9 am. We decided a run to Savona was worth it as there was a forecasted 20 kph East wind perfect for the Dump Ridge. | We arrived at 2:30 pm and the winds were light SW, so up to the Toilet Bowl Ridge for some kiting and a training hill flight as Mark has not been flying since November 2009. He had a few good inflations on the Gradient Golden and was soon soaring the Toilet Bowl. I went down to pick him up and we stuffed the wing in the Suzuki and headed up to the Upper Launch (Oscars). The road is in great shape and no snow, plus you can drive right into launch now as someone cleared a roadway in. Mark had perfect launch cycles and he was off and climbing on flight #1 off Oscars. He arrived over the Crash Pad at Launch Height, with enough altitude to do 360s and lots of cruising around before landing. 
Mark got above Oscars Launch fast on his Gradient Golden 30 - photo by JPR I raced down and we did 2 more flights on the Golden and one on the Mojo3 Large, and Mark decided the Golden 30 was his glider! He is staying up for a few more days so you may see him soaring above Savona this weekend. Another satisfied FlyBC Customer! I left Savona around 6:30 pm, and was back at the Ranch by 9:00 pm. A lot of driving but at least Mark got to fly 5 flights! For the record books: The Savona Picture attached is Bev on her Fiesta, and she will soon be back flying as she has a new APCO Karma and she is raring to fly.  Bev at Savona, BC
|
| (unstable)
Woodside Report - Martina, Martin N and I were up at Woodside around 2 pm, and we had nice inflow cycles despite outflow in the Valley.
I killed time watching Martina spar with Martin. | Al arrived after us but was the first to launch and was above launch for some time, which motivated Martin to fly next. 
Al got above launch fast on his Ozone Addict II - photo by JPR I left to get something from my car as Martina was launching and when I got back to launch, I couldn't see Al or Martin? I went to the edge and they were both down so low I knew Riverside was the designated LZ for them, so I got my gear back in my car and drove Al's rig down to get them. The new gate into Riverside is awesome for retrieves! I was down and into Riverside by the time Martina had landed and she wasn't finished packing up yet. The installation Al, Alan and I did back in November seems solid. We were going back up for a relaunch when we heard Alan had launched Bridal and was maintaining just at launch height. At 3 kms, there was a logging truck blocking the road as he was loading logs, so I jumped out and hiked up to my car, as the rest drove down to go to Bridal. I had to wait 10 minutes on the drive down for the logging truck too, but he backed up to let me by. Plan to hike at times during the week as this continues. I had to go to Chilliwack later and was at the roundabout in Rosedale when I saw Jonathon F launch his Vulcan followed by Matt J on his Addict I, as they had gone up wth Derek and Martina's load and were greeted with east wind at launch with the odd lull, and they got sledders there. Alan had already landed but he scratched out an hour earlier. 
Derek and Martin and Drew did relay mowing at Bridal today, I hope the pattern doesn`t confuse the students - photo by JPR
|
| (unstable)
Bridal Report - I was going to go up Woodside but I saw John sinking out around noon, while Dennis stayed aloft. Instead I went to join Alan at Bridal. | Arriving at the top, Alan had beaten me up to launch as he had a good head start and I drove slow. He was waiting for sun and some cycles but there was a crow soaring so it looked promising. He launched and was maintaining with a lot of cussing and hard work, so it didn't look top-landable for me. I talked to Kevin and he and Brad were heading to Woodside so I drove down and met them at the Ranch. 
Alan soaring at Bridal today with some eagles on his Gin Zoom - photo by JPR Woodside Report - Kevin, Brad and I arrived at launch around 2 pm, to find Dennis on top as he had top-landed and drove down to get John and John was now at cloudbase. Dennis launched and then Kevin on his Mantra M3, and they were soon on their way to 'base to the north. I launched after Kevin on the trusty Mantra M1 and was heading north but didn't climb as fast as Kevin but made it to base over the north cliffs at 1000 meters. Low base today. Brad on his Mantra M2 was having a hard time to find a good core too, but once you got it everything was lifty. I flew from the north towers at 1100 meters over to the south knoll and gained the entire trip. Kevin got brave and headed to Agassiz Mountain and I saw him quite low behind the prison over the rocks. I played at cloudbase with Dennis and John for sometime while Brad climbed out and kept my eye on Kevin, and eventually he climbed out over Agassiz Mountain and was heading back to Woodside when I lost sight of him. I flew for about 1:45 and then decided I should try a top-landing to retrieve my car and perhaps Kevin. Two or three approaches told me it was too early as I got lift everytime I got close. I was waiting for shade and less lift when I made my last pass and was too low and never climbed back to launch for another 30 minutes. I was trying to climb out on the South Knoll when I saw Kevin sneaking back low around the corner and we joined in a thermal at 2 km marker and slowly started climbing towards launch. we were pretty closely matched until Kevin took a better line and was soon above launch and he made a straight-in approach and side-hilled it in! Sweet! No retrieve needed. Dennis had also top-landed so the cars were good, and Brad and I headed to the Ranch to land and crack a beer. While I was heading out I called Kevin on the radio and got Alan who was still flying at Bridal after 4+ hours! There was no wind today, thermals were smooth and predictable, nice launch conditions . . . and only 6 pilots? Where is everyone? Harvest Market Report - the Harvest Market field is currently plowed up, waiting for a new crop to be seeded. Plan to land on the field west of the Harvest Field, it is owned by the same farmer and is an approved LZ. 
Harvest Market as of March 23, 2010 - photo by JPR
|
| (unstable)
Woodside Report - early birds Dennis and John flew Woodside and Dennis top-landed twice, but was overheard by someone saying he had his trimmers wide open on his IcePeak to move forward. John said a helicopter was following beside him as he was approaching Riverside that made him pretty nervous as it was rough and gusty. | Wiley, John and I waited for 30 minutes at the Ranch but it kept getting stronger and eventually it snowed lightly on me as they left to go home. Then sunny, then rain, then sun again. Whitecaps on Cultus Lake. Very mixed conditions so early was better.
|
| (unstable)
Woodside Report - I was working on all the stored vehicles when the sun came out and I got excited to fly . . . for about 5 minutes and then the storms hit! Rain, hail, thunderstorms, you name it we got it. | It didn't discourage the few folks that came out today though as 3 new gliders went out the door! And a Van and a motorhome! Successful sales day despite the rain.
|
| (unstable)
WCSC Reserve Clinic - 30 pilots showed up to test their gear and 2 might not have had successful deployments in real-life situations but the problems were fixed. | Thanks to the hard working volunteers: Martina, Rob S, Ivan, Fedja, Ted, Andrea, Greg B, Bev, Tonya and many others worked all day to make this event a success. Great venue. Pictures Here. And more Pictures Here from Claudia. Afterwards, we headed up Woodside for some tandem flights with our 7 new students that were out kiting all day at Eagle Ranch. Looks like another busy season shaping up for FlyBC. No one got above launch today, but it was launchable all day and smooth. Bridal pilots were reporting sled rides and no beeps too.
|
| (unstable)
Woodside Report - it was another windy outflow day, but clear and beautiful. Around 3 pm, some folks went kiting in the NW winds but after 10 minutes it switched to SE (the perfect direction at Eagle Ranch!) and we decided to go flying. | Tom Chromy generously drove us up, and I was first off launch in an up-cycle. Good view of the new clearcuts behind launch at 3 kms. Smooth until 1250 meters when the wind coming over the top of Agassiz Mountain started buffeting the normally smooth Ozone Swift I was flying. I flew out a bit to the Valley and before I knew it I was past the bailout swamp with no hope of getting back to launch as it was blowing about +20 kph from the NE. Justin K flew sometime after me, as did Tom but Wiley was denied due to the leeside conditions. Justin may have got the highest, but we didn't compare varios. Landings at the Ranch in NW winds were smooth. My flight stats: +4.5 m/s up, -3.0 down, 25 minutes, 1250 meters maximum height. Folks were flying Bridal too, but weren't reporting altitudes. Alan hiked 2/3 of the way up to Bridal Lower and decided to turn around at 1:00 pm due to gusty outflow winds. Updated and Belated Point of the Mountain Video featuring Kevin "Biff Romulus" Ault on Colleen's XS Addict II. Note no other paragliders in the air as it was extremely windy!
|
| (unstable)
Bridal Report - After checking out the strong outflow conditions at Woodside today, Rob S, Nikalai and I went over to Bridal where Alan was waiting for some decent cycles. | Tom sent a few students off and at around 4 pm, the sun began to warm up the slope and Alan and Nikalai launched getting high pretty quickly to the east. I followed and found the lift in the same place, eventually working my way to the Killarney Ridge and catching one thermal up to 1850 m. I then tried to get up Cheam but lacked patience so I headed east getting no lift until the Lakes, where I reached 1700 meters before leaving for the Butterfly. Again a long liftless glide but great speed with half bar, reached the Butterfly at about 1300 meters. There was a lot of high cloud so I didn't want to go all the way to Ludwig, so I worked my way back up to 1600 meters and headed west, finding lift again at the Lakes. My return speeds were in the high 40s so there was a little bit of tail. After playing around at Cheam for a while I was happy to head out to the LZ. Pretty cold conditions up high are not kind to the bladder. It was slightly east but a standard approach with a bit of a dive worked well. Rob and Derek did better coming in over the road. Great first flight of the season at Bridal. Flight time: 1hr 55 minutes. Max altitude 1860 m. Best lift: 8.6 m/s? Not sure about that one. Vario went nuts just before I landed - Kevin Based on Justin K's flight at Woodside around 4:30 pm, I would say +8.6 m/s is accurate. He was "beamed up" for a sustained period with no turns going straight up and parked stationary for several minutes, upon leaving that thermal he headed straight to the Ranch to land. I believe Dennis R hit one of these thermals earlier before heading to Riverside around 2 pm. Woodside was the only mountain with no clouds all day? and usually leeside works well here, but it wasn't working today (is it the new clearcuts or just the direction?) - Jim
|
| (unstable)
Woodside Report - the forecast winds never calmed down until 6 pm, and it was still strong then . . . but not too strong for Al! He launched and was maintaining all the way to the bailout without turning but progress was slow. | Dennis, Martin N, John M, Martina, Derek, Tom Chromy, and myself were all denied and frozen. Alan hiked Bridal and was denied too due to wind. Wouter's Weekend Report - Last week I've spend some time with some of my Swiss friends snowboarding and flying. Great weather, beautiful scenery and lots of parties. During the weekend we visited the Gravity Show in Verbier and saw skydivers, basejumpers, speedflying, acro paragliding and some demo's of a Swift and a helicopter. It's good to be back in the air, which was filled with spring thermals! - Wouter Must have been good thermals to stay up on your 6907! - Jim
|
| (inverted)
Rain Day Report - a fun day spent with the Grandkids kept me out of the rain. | Two new Ozone R10s will soon be plying the skies in Western Canada! The Ozone Delta LTF-II ships are in testing and the Mediums should be available on April 15. Stay tuned for more details. Some bbHPP technology is trickling down to the production models!
|
| (unstable)
Woodside Report - it looked favourable early but by noon it was howling from the NE. | No one was planning to fly until Thursday when it is calling for Sunny! Great news from Ozone as the R10 Comp Gliders are fast heading out the factory door to 250 comp pilots around the globe!
|
| (unstable)
Woodside Desperado Report - Mike D was out to try his new Zoom and Heiko was also out. Despite the east wind forecast Mother Woodside was working and cycles were good at launch. | Thanks to Gerry and Al for getting us all to launch while the Unimog was charging the batteries after a cold winter's nap. Mike flew, Heiko, Norm who had the best flight and I also flew the Swift almost landing in Duncan's but I made it over the fence at the last moment. My $20 is safe for another day!
|
| (unstable)
Woodside Report - a few of us flew Mother Woodside today and had nice little flights. | Rob S stole my Swift M, and left me on launch with the R09 and no cycles, but I managed to get off in a little bubble. 
Rob flying the demo Swift Medium - photo by JPR I squeaked out 13:30 in light lift over the Ranch.
|
| (unstable)
POM Report - Kevin was flying the South Side of Point of the Mountain in Draper UT when I arrived with 20 other PGers and a few HGers. | Pardon the camera angle, as I am getting used to the GoPro Helmet Cam He soared around and top-landed when it got too strong . . . then we pulled out the Addict II XS but don't tell Colleen! There was only 4 HGers still in the air with me. Kevin is a far superior camera-man, and pilot too! The drive home from Utah was a nightmare with blinding snow in Idaho for 60 miles in the highest pass, but I made it home in 14 hours from the Point! I am back in business at the Ranch.
|
| (unstable)
Point of the Mountain Report - I woke to light North Winds and cold temps, and took my time to get to the new flight park at POM. | Derek said "get out there early", but that was not the case today. I arrived after getting a tire ordered, a car wash and breakfast and folks were just kiting. A few had launched and got 2 passes and were on the ground already so I was in no rush for a hike up the North Side. I decided kiting was a good idea and pulled out the Zoom. I kited it to near the edge and was just standing there waiting for it to pick up when a thermal picked me off and I was going straight up and back! The vario was wailing and I did a few S-turns and I was soon at the top of the hill behind launch and parked. There were sweet CUs everywhere and I thought I was under one, but when I looked up it was clear sky? I flew for 10 minutes and spiralled in for a top-landing in case it got stronger. After I landed a few others flew off and got sledders? I left for a vist at Chris & Jeff's SuperFly Shop and when I came back around 3:30 pm, it was on and there were 35 gliders in the air up high and scratching too. I relaunched on the Swift and was soon doing pretty well except for all the traffic and low sun made for tough collision avoidance and I top-landed near another Ozone glider. As I was swooping in, I heard "Hi Jim!" and I turned to see a bellaclava'ed face I didn't recognize for a minute . . . Kevin Ault. 
Jim over the North Side - photo by Kevin click on the picture for a high res version and for the FlyBC March 2010 Album We flew together until dark and went for dinner as Kevin was on a marathon roadtrip purchasing a new truck in New Orleans.
|
| (unstable)
Vegas Report - the weather finally looked good, but we stayed in meetings until noon and when we looked out the windows there was a huge cell approaching and it got really cold. | I bailed and headed to Salt Lake City around 1 pm and drove through some really nasty winter storms with ice, snow and freezing rain but I made it in one piece around 7 pm. No flying after 7 days in the USA, I should have stayed in Mexico!
|
| Mostly cloudy. Rain showers...snow showers and isolated thunderstorms in the morning...then rain and snow showers in the afternoon. Breezy. Snow accumulation up to 1 inch on the western foothills. Snow level 3000 feet increasing to 3500 feet in the afternoon. Highs around 50 on the west side of the valley to around 55 on the east side. Southwest wind 20 to 30 mph shifting to the west 15 to 25 mph in the afternoon. Near the Spring Mountains...west wind 15 to 25 mph with gusts to around 40 mph. Chance of precipitation 70 percent. (unstable)
Vegas Report - due to the heavy wind warnings, we stayed indoors most of the day in Ozone Product Meetings. | 
Some of the many North American Ozone Dealers in Vegas - photo by Loren Some very exciting news about upcoming Ozone Paragliders that are being released this season: outstanding performance with improved stability on all models. And the prices are not going up! We met until 1 pm, and then headed to Vegas Indoor Skydiving to do some flying. We were then headed out for a nice dinner with the Ozone Team. Woodside Desperado Report - Martina and Derek were out flying again, with a new un-named driver after his recent reserve toss ('cause he can't find his D-bag and handle) Some light lift and not as cold as yesterday. The weather doesn't look too promising thru the weekend so a road trip may be called.
|
| (unstable)
Vegas Report - Vegas has been unkind to us the past 3 days. Weather is unseasonably cold hovering around 0C at night and less that 15C in the sun. | We headed out to Jean Dry Lake early and it is now Jean Wet Lake so we had to setup to fly motors off the paved road. Chad got one flight in that lasted 2 minutes that was very choppy, and we packed up and headed up to Jean Ridge to check it out. On the ridge we noted NE winds, not the forecasted strong SW winds? We drove down to go shopping in Vegas. We went back around 3 pm, and the winds had shifted slightly to SE and stilll down at Jean Ridge, and the impending wind warnings for 40-60 mph from the SW kept us on the Valley Floor rather than driving up to Goodsprings. Denied again! Bridal Desperado Report - We were definitely desperados today! It was ridiculously cold, but the lapse rate was so good we couldn't stay away (-11C at 6000'). 
Alan checking out Launch at Bridal - photo by Martina Alan, Rob, Al, Derek & I decided to fly Bridal as the clouds looked less ominous than at Woodside. Still, we were a little nervous about launching but reports from Tom C & Wiley flying over at Woodside sounded just fine. Alan took off first and got a couple hundred meters over launch quickly but smoothly so we all launched & played around as long as we could stand the cold. 
Alan in the air at Bridal - photo by Martina I lasted 45 minutes, Rob had at least an hour as did the others who top-landed to warm up. Only Al ended up re-launching as it started blowing down. 
Snowy Bridal - photo by Martina It was a weird day. We expected huge, rough air due to the high lapse rate, big clouds and spring conditions. Instead we got mellow thermals, smooth lift and I don't think anyone even went in the clouds ;) - Martina
|
| (unstable)
People of Elk Report - It was booming on Elk today. Several groups hiked up and launched between 11:30 and 1:00 pm. | 
Kevin setting up on Elk, with Al and Brad watching - photo by Judy Brad H, Al T and I all launched about 1:00 and caught the big elevator between Elk and Thurston. 
Kevin Launching on Elk - photo by Judy I went to Thurston twice on my M3 hoping to get really high at Thurston and cross north to upper Bridal but it wasn't happening there so I went back to Elk and topped up to 1940 m in 5 m/s lift. 
Kevin Above Elk - photo by Judy Al was flying my Swift and headed over to Gloria and arrived at pyramid height, hit the inversion and glided to Bridal LZ to land. Brad and I left Elk together. I reached Gloria a few hundred meters above the pyramid and was able to top back up to 1700 m. I flew along the spine to Upper launch and then looked for lift at the usual spots above lower launch eventually flying out to the valley where I stayed up got another 20 minutes above the Wildcat with a pair of eagles. My total flight time 2:05 hours - Kevin A. 
"Al the Hammer" Swiftly flying off Elk - photo by Judy Woodside Report - Colleen was busy in the garden getting it ready for spring planting, while others were sledding at Woodside today. A group of early birds flew and were in the process of sledders when I arrived. I had been watching their launches and when they landed through the telescope it was noticeably stronger within about ten minutes and full anticipated ridge lift. A group of us then went back up to get a flight in before the rain. Louse set up to launch first with me right behind her. Her first attempt was aborted and I got into the launch slot. I had to wait for a lull as it was getting stronger. Funny thing, Derek brought up a saying he heard at launch in Equador ---“hurry up and launch before it gets worse”. Couldn’t have been more accurate! I brought up the wing reverse and had to get under it pretty quick and turned to kite it for a bit as it was yawing around and didn’t feel solid. When it felt good I finally pushed off and started to climb above launch and thought, nice smooth air and before I could holler down to the group getting ready to launch, the wing pitched back very aggressively and that’s where it all started. Pitching around, yawing, a couple of small collapses sinking fast and back up and down several times. Not fun at all! Eying up the trees closest to the lower launch road as I fully expected I would be landing there. Then managed to get back up(after several oscillations and up and down parked several times) to re-evaluate the situation with another option of one of the logging roads or possibly the bailout swamp(where I have never landed before). It eased up a bit and climbed up some more to consider another option of Joe’s or Riverside. S***t hit the fan again and the left risers went slack twice(actually had a bend in the riser with three or four inches between the biner and speedbar hookup) but reached deep into the “experience bag” managed to keep the wing overhead to slightly crab to Joe’s and then another slow climb to consider Eagle Ranch. About a minute or so of steady slow 0.1 – 0.2 m/s and now looked like it was do-able to land in your field. From that point on it was relatively smooth and landed very softly just outside the circle. Norm was down there and pointed out that over your field is usually the rattiest part of the flight, maybe it was crappy ,but compared to what I was in back towards the mountain it seemed really nice. I checked the air pressure changes on my I-Phone when I landed and there was a considerable drop from 102.-something to 100.-something in less than an hour so I guess the incoming front arrived faster than expected. Or the winds aloft were much stronger than expected and was rotoring off of the hill at the mouth of the Harrison/Fraser River? Which would make sense if it got smoother when approaching your place, which would be in the lee. Everyone else packed up and headed down after watching how much fun it looked like I was having … - Thomm Las Vegas Rain Report - while the folks back home were enjoying Spring Flying, the weather on the desert is hideous. I should have stayed in Mexico where it has been flyable everyday since I left . . . but I have to be here for an Ozone Dealer Meeting starting Monday so I have to take the rainy weather. But it is not typical to have low temps and rain in Vegas as it is a desert? - Jaime. Vancouver Olympics Airspace Closures - I went to the Abbotsford informational meeting, and the plans are intense, that's for sure. I'll boil it all down to 3 easy points for 99% of the PG and HG activity that the WCSC concerns itself with: 1 - Generally, the temporary airspace changes don't really affect PG/HG flying in the Fraser Valley That includes flying from, and near, Woodside, Bridal Falls, and Sumas. ** That said, because there are incredible restrictions to all OTHER forms of aviation basically from Langley to the US border to Victoria to Whistler and everything in between, I suspect we're going to see a TON more flying in and around our flying sites. We'll have lots of planes, heli's, ultralights and military flying over Harrison Mills, Rowena's, the golf course, the river(s), etc. So, keep your eyes open while in the air. 2 - On the contrary, PG and HG flying anywhere in Grouse Mountain, Whistler AND Pemberton is completely prohibited. No flying activity whatsoever by HG and PG pilots is permitted - No 1200 ft terrain following altitude - Nada. So, from 29 January to 24 March (time includes the paralympic games as well, remember), DO NOT FLY THERE! This includes kiting on Burnaby Mountain and White Rock areas. 3 - These rules are in place from 29 Jan 2010 through to 24 Mar 2010 inclusive, which includes the opening ceremonies of the Olympics, right through to the closing ceremonies of the Paralympics. So, all in all, no biggie for us valley pilots, but a total shutdown for Grouse and Pembie. It's only for 2 months though, so enjoy the games, and look forward to April! - Robin 
Olympic Airspace Closures Map photo by TC.GC.CA
|
| (unstable)
Woodside Report - Colleen was gloating when I called her. Norm, Colleen and Thomm were all able to get above launch later.
Apparently everyone was out today as the parking lot on top was overflowing. | 
Norm and Colleen over Eagle Ranch LZ photo by Davina 
Colleen on final at the Eagle Ranch LZ photo by Davina Vegas Report - I slept in and missed the early morning PPG session on the Dry Lake, when I arrived the motors were being stowed due to high winds. I drove up Goodsprings Launch and it was perfect but no one to help retrieve, and my balls were not big enough to try a top landing at this tight spot on the side of a rocky mountain! 
Goodsprings Launch is both E and W facing off the antennas, this is the east view click on the picture for a high res version and for the FlyBC March 2010 Album - photo by JPR
|
| (unstable)
Woodside Report - Derek was gloating after 6 (SIX) hours of airtime and +6 m/s lift at times. Louise was also gloating but to herself as she forgot to send a report. | I saw an interesting thermal forming on the webcam early. 
Woodside yesterday by www.flybc.org/webcam.htm Belated Woodside Report from March 5th - Friday was actually pretty epic! Al, Fedja, and I left Woodside at 1500 meters. We went to Mt. Agassiz and on to Bear hoping to cross over to Bridal. Fedja landed at Harrison. It was booming at Bear: punchy, ratty thermals to about 1400. I almost went for Hope but knew it was getting late so I followed Al back towards Agassiz town and then thought to head north a little and try to make it back to Woodside. Sure enough there was lift low (500 meters) at the SE corner of Agassiz Mtn. so I worked my way toward the prison and eventually found lift in the gullies and got back over the top. From there it was just ridge hugging all the way until I snuck around the south knoll and worked my way back to 1200 meters over Woodside with everyone else before heading out to land at Riverside. Great Spring day, even if we had one toss of the ol' laundry! - Kevin A. ps: the ol' toss of the laundry was reported on WCSC Incident Page by the un-named Nova Pilot and he was unscathed but not non-plussed. Vegas Report - I arrived around noon and checked into the Ozone sponsored hotel on the SW side of town, very posh and business like with no casino. Chad from Santa Barbara was arriving around 2 pm with some paramotors and I was to meet him on Jean Dry Lake, so I took an hour to look at another flying site nearby called Goodsprings. 
Goodsprings Launch is both E and W facing off the antennas click on the picture for a high res version and for the FlyBC March 2010 Album - photo by JPR No one was around this site, and it was getting gusty from the NE so rather than waste a trip up to this site and miss meeting Chad, I headed to Jean Lake. When I arrived at Jean Lake, Chad was already to leave for his date with a Vegas show with his wife, but Pierre was there playing with an electric paramotor he is building. Eventually he and Mark (another local) went flying their motors just before dark, so a good 3 hours was wasted on the dry lake this afternoon. Delayed Broadcast of a paragliding solo flight on February 27, 2010 in Tapalpa (my last flight of the FlyBC Guided Mexican Paragliding Tour there this year), I kicked butt as the locals sunk out and I was able to top-land - thanks to Colleen for the filming!
|
| (unstable)
AZ Roadtrip Report - a good shopping day in Tucson: summer haircut, new threads at a sports store, and a new roof rack for 50% of the cost in Canada. Then on the road at 1:30 pm heading to Vegas. | 
Awesome cloudstreet stretched from CA to beyond Tucson by 1:00 pm, and the winds were SW at 25 kph so a good distance day if you could get in the air click on the picture for a high res version and for the FlyBC March 2010 Album - photo by JPR About halfway to Kingman my gas gauge was getting low and I had 80 miles to go and there were no gas stations, so I was drifting behind semis to save fuel and coasting down the long hills but I made it to Wikieup, AZ with lots of gas left with my conservation tactics. It was strange driving through the desert here, because my Dad had moved to the states in the 60's worked around here and loved the land and the construction work and I could see the beauty of the place now, but when he moved here when I was younger I thought it was quite ugly? Woodside Report - Louise got the ball rolling today. 
Kevin waiting on Launch at Woodside by Martina She called me at work at 9:24 and had already talked with Derek and Martina. 
Louise over Woodside by Rob S By 1 pm there were pilots from all over the valley converging on Woodside, including Kevin, Al, Alan, Derek, Martina, Denis, John and Rick. 
Derek flying over Woodside by Rob S Conditions were mixed, as would be expected on an early spring day. When the sun was out the lift could be strong near mid-day, but when the sun was blocked by cloud the pilots left at launch drove down to the Riverside LZ to pick up the victims of the shade for a re-flight. One or two lucky people (Derek) managed three flights. 
Rick over Eagle Ranch near Woodside by Rob S By the end of the day the inflow had kicked in enough so that the combination of left over warm bouyant air and the wind made for smooth light but easy ridge soaring conditions - Rob S. 
Kevin and Al soaring at Woodside by Martina 
Rick just off Woodside by Martina
|
| (unstable)
Mexican Road Trip Report for March 3 - I got on the road early with the roosters at 530 am. | 
My last Mexican Sunrise for this trip click on the picture for a high res version and for the FlyBC March 2010 Album - photo by JPR I left Los Mochis and headed north until Ciudad Obregon where I stopped for breakfast at MacDonald's where they had free wifi. 
I saw this new ATOS, a model even and old pilot like Martin Henry can handle! click on the picture for a high res version and for the FlyBC March 2010 Album - photo by JPR The trip is going well and I pulled up to the Mexican Customs to turn in my vehicle permit south of the border at 200 pm, and then at US Customs lineup at 300 pm, in Nogales AZ. Unfortunately, the US lineup took 2 hours just like going into WA state from Canada at times. Lots of Canadian Snowbirds driving big RVs at the border heading home now that Spring is near, I guess I wasn't the only one avoiding the winter weather down in Mexico? Wouter soaring Dutch Dunes Woodside Desperado Report - Derek the Desperado flew Woodside again late this afternoon. 
Derek launching in the fog by Martina He managed a couple of sled rides while I drove since the LZ was still wet & I wanted to keep my wing dry (Ecuadorian Snob). 
Derek flying above the fog by Martina Tomorrow looks promising, here's hoping! - Martina
|
| (unstable)
Mexican Road Trip Report for March 2 - I left Jocotopec at 10:30 am, and was in Los Mochis around 8 pm, after 950 kms. | Lots of Mexican Mounties on the road near Mazatlan, a fellow motorist decided to pass me north of Mazatlan in a 60 kph zone, when I was going 85 kph, and he got tagged! Good thing he was there or I may have been dealing with a ticket. Currently sitting in a free wifi zone in a MacDonalds in Ciudad Obregon, the US border is closing in fast.
|
| (unstable)
San Marcos Report - I heard some gringos were meeting at San Marcos to fly, so I headed over there after 1 pm after packing up the casa. | I waited on the road up to Launch having a nap for 30 minutes and no one showed up. But the vultures were having fun, climbing fast and then dive-bombing one another. Looked fun, but I had no wish to fly alone and try to top-land or hike up so I headed back to the casa for more cleaning and lunch. Tomorrow I hit the road north to Vegas. Woodside Report - More ideal student conditions today. Derek, Martina and Martin were already at launch when I called from Abbotsford. I got to Woodside in time to give them a ride back up. The Martin( a )s drove and me and Derek flew. Launch conditions were good indicated by the ribbons in the attached photo. We had nice calm air so that for most of the flight I didn't have my hands on the brake toggles.  
Rob S forward launching at Woodside by Martina Note that the R09 is completely inflated and that I'm using my special Mongoose forward launch technique - Rob |
FlyBC Paragliding Past Site of the Day Reports
January 2010 Site of the Day archives - nice flying in Mexico for the FlyBC Mexican Tours. Good XCs.
December 2009 Site of the Day archives - our first time in Mexico for a full December and we flew everyday. 40-50 km XCs from Tapalpa.
November 2009 Site of the Day archives - very few flights as we had record rains and high winds.
October 2009 Site of the Day archives - Women's Fly-In in Chelan WA with the Barbie Theme, took first place honours again! More good soaring flights of 2 hours plus on special days.
September 2009 Site of the Day archives - more decent flying weather with a few road trips to escape wind by heading to Savona.
August 2009 Site of the Day archives - best flying conditions in years with little rain. My first hike up Cheam with pals went well.
July 2009 Site of the Day archives - the FlyBC SIV in Revelstoke was a blast, 280 SIV flights and only one wet pilot intentionally that is. Jeremy wished he had landed in the water.
June 2009 Site of the Day archives - dry all month locally so lots of flying, Al has been test flying the new ShotGun launch near Stave Lake having great flights out to Woodside.
May 2009 Site of the Day archives - local flying is getting great with nice XC's! Bridal was working well. The new bathroom was installed in the Barn at Eagle Ranch enriching the FlyBC experience.
April 2009 Site of the Day archives - we escaped the local weather by flying in New Zealand for 3 weeks. We will be heading back soon!
March 2009 Site of the Day archives - we were flying locally in snow, relying on Derek's sleds and chains on the 'Mog to get up Woodside.
February 2009 Site of the Day archives - the Worlds PG Championships in Mexico was hard work for the Canucks, the tasks and speeds were unreal.
January 2009 Site of the Day archives - Manzanillo, Mexico was a BLAST, many new sites flown and we have a new tour Destination for 2010.
December 2008 Site of the Day archives - the annual FlyBC Christmas Party was a cold success with Head over Heels entertaining us all night. And we left early for Manzanillo, Mexico on Dec 28th.
November 2008 Site of the Day archives - some soaring between rain storms, and it was pretty dry in Agassiz.
October 2008 Site of the Day archives - we went ot the Women's Fly In on Chelan for the annual Halloween Costume Fly-In, great conditions there to offset the wet month on the West Coast. Steve Fosset's crash site was found in Nevada after a year of searching.
September 2008 Site of the Day archives - great student conditions at Woodside and Bridal all month, with 10 students getting signed off this month, a record.
August 2008 Site of the Day archives - our second SIV Course of the 2008 season went well at Sale Mountain near Revelstoke (except for a few water landings and minor injuries). Wet all month at Woodside except the weekends.
July 2008 Site of the Day archives - our first SIV Course of the 2008 season went well at Sale Mountain near Revelstoke.
June 2008 Site of the Day archives - a few good soaring days at Bridal, lots of new students this month.
May 2008 Site of the Day archives - the cost of gas is keeping pilots at home and the weather isn't helping either. One good XC in May for me, leaving Woodside with Norm and Martin H and ending up at Elk at 1600 meters before landing by Hopyard Hill. 3 hours and 85 kms later by the GPS.
April 2008 Site of the Day archives - worst weather in years but we flew every day we could.
March 2008 Site of the Day archives - more snow and still hiking to launch at Woodside! But some major airtime for the locals committed to coming out to fly.
February 2008 Site of the Day archives - more snow in BC than I can remember in 25 years of living here. We are still hiking to launch at Woodside!
January 2008 Site of the Day archives - worst weather in years so we went to Mexico and logged many hours of airtime, while it snowed heavily in BC.
December 2007 Site of the Day archives - worst weather in years so we went to Mexico on Dec 29th for three weeks.
November 2007 Site of the Day archives - Colleen and I went to California to fly the new Falcon A-16 Advanced Ultralight prototype and it flew very well. Some good soaring days at Woodside, some folks were still trying to fly Bridal but that is a waste of time this late in the season.
October 2007 Site of the Day archives - mid-air at Woodside caused Martin H some paraglider damage, some great soarable days. The Women's Fly In was a success with the Canuck Team taking top spot for the theme of "Celebrities in Rehab".
September 2007 Site of the Day archives - we re-discovered and flew 'Horsefly' Launch for the first time, some mayhem at Woodside due to tree-suck, lots of good soaring in afternoon glassoffs, a great Indian Summer until late in the month when the rains came early. Derek, Martina, Robin and Diane went to Europe. Kirill went to Australia for a paramotor Fly-In.
August 2007 Site of the Day archives - fun two weeks at Mara Lake, followed by steady flying at Woodside and Bridal, making up for the dismal spring and summer.
July 2007 Site of the Day archives - good flights at Bridal, some mayhem at Woodside from visiting pilots.
June 2007 Site of the Day archives - more crappy weather on the weekends. Some awesome flights between showers as Norm and Thomm flew to Mission on the last day of the month.
May 2007 Site of the Day archives - flyable every weekday, but the Fraser Valley XC Comp got crappy weather on the weekends, although it was student flyable.
April 2007 Site of the Day archives - good flights are starting. Some complete triangles from Woodside to Bridal and back, some "musical triangles" from others.
March 2007 Site of the Day archives - fifth month of crappy weather on the Coast. We went to Santa Barbara for some flights, and to dry out. Some good days were also recorded locally.
Febuary 2007 Site of the Day archives - fourth month of crappy weather on the Coast. So we stayed in Mexico.
January 2007 Site of the Day archives - third month of crappy weather on the Coast. So we went to Mexico to fly Colima, Tapalpa, and San Marcos, while Brad and gang headed to Tenacingo, Mexico.
December 2006 Site of the Day archives - more ugly weather on the Coast. Severe winds damaged trees and property so not much flying happened. Some good flight reports from local PGers travelling world-wide.
November 2006 Site of the Day archives - the wettest November on record. We flew a few good flights but mostly we were rained out.
October 2006 Site of the Day archives - lots of good days with 3-4 hours airtime. The Women's Fly-In was on again in Chelan with about 18 Canucks, and a good day Saturday with 85 registered pilots.
September 2006 Site of the Day archives - still soarable in the Fraser Valley, little or no rain. Colleen is back flying! Some mayhem in the valley.
August 2006 Site of the Day archives - a great flying month everywhere, we had a super successful SIV clinic at Mara Lake with everyone SAT-ing and heli-ing.
July 2006 Site of the Day archives - road trip to Lumby, then on the 8th Colleen spun in below Gloria cancelling her summer plans (but she is recuperating well).
June 2006 Site of the Day archives - the Valley dried out, and we flew most days and every weekend.
May 2006 Site of the Day archives - more rain that ever imagined in the Fraser Valley. Very few soaring flights and even less XC.
April 2006 Site of the Day archives - the Easter Bunny was "run over" on Kilby Road, plus the train wreck on April 1.
March 2006 Site of the Day archives - a new pilot was born, Chloe. We also flew a few days between showers, some long flights up to 4 hours. A few Out & Return Flights to Deroche and Bear.
February 2006 Site of the Day archives - another wet month with some soarable days (2).
January 2006 Site of the Day archives - some flying on Elk and Woodside, smart pilots headed South for great Mexican or Chilean flying.
December 2005 Site of the Day archives - some flying on Elk and Woodside, smart pilots headed South.
November 2005 Site of the Day archives - rain, snow and not much flying.
October 2005 Site of the Day archives - Women's Fly In in Chelan yielded two soarable days before the snows hit.
September 2005 Site of the Day archives - dry most of the month. Some great 4 hour flights at Woodside getting to cloudbase most days. Three crash-landings in the same clearcut by pilots scratching too low, but no injuries.
August 2005 Site of the Day archives - road trips to the Interior gave us an opportunity to rag out some gliders at FlyBC SIV 2005 (Part II). Also a great road trip to Savona.
July 2005 Site of the Day archives - good flying all month, no rain but some windy days shut us down. The Willi started in Golden with a few good days, but one tragedy as Charles Warren perished in a crash near Harrogate.
June 2005 Site of the Day archives - too much rain, but good days to fly between showers.
May 2005 Site of the Day archives - our Instructor/Tandem seminar yielded some good flying. Our May 2005 SIV Clinic had a good turnout, with many wet wings/pilots! Many nice flights at Woodside and Bridal, with some long "out & returns" at Bridal.
April 2005 Site of the Day archives - some great soaring at Woodside and Bridal. Sad news from the US Hanggliding Nationals as Chris Muller crashes at goal.
March 2005 Site of the Day archives - we had to head out of town to Savona a few weekends due to wet weather on the Coast. Wetter than normal according to Environment Canada.
February 2005 Site of the Day archives - some good soaring despite early time of year. Flights as long as 3 hours at Woodside, some good flights at Whidbey Island for first timers, too!
January 2005 Site of the Day archives road trips to Mexico, not much flying locally due to strong north winds and rain. Record rain kept Eagle Ranch quite wet for kiting.
December 2004 Site of the Day archives a dry month with some good soaring including a fantastic day on Dec. 11 where we thermalled for 2+ hours!
November 2004 Site of the Day archives more record rain. We installed a fireplace in the barn to keep pilots warm between winter flights.
October 2004 Site of the Day archives more record rain, but sweet soaring between showers. Many new students signed up and making quick progress. We missed the Women's Fly In for the first time in 9 years, and there was some interesting flying on the Sunday!
September 2004 Site of the Day archives rainiest September on record for the first 3 weeks, made flying difficult. But Alan and others logged some pretty nice flights later in the month. Lots of student tandems for both Colleen and Jim.
August 2004 Site of the Day archives Great Maneuver/SIV/ACRO course at Mara. Jack got wet! Some great soaring at Woodside. Norm made it 68 km from Mara to King Eddie, Derek made it from Lumby to Enderby the opposite direction for 67 kms. We also did our BC roadtrip from Ashcroft to New Denver, and flew everyday.
July 2004 Site of the Day archives the Willi was on at Golden. We missed the mayhem due to work and school commitments but Norm did a great job representing the West Coast.
June 2004 Site of the Day archives Canadian Nationals came off with many great rounds. Pemberton-Whistler Championships were blown out most days so we headed to Cornwall.
May 2004 Site of the Day archives great flying at Woodside and Bridal. We held a very successful SIV Course at Mara Lake, and hope to run another one in August if they keep the forests open.
April 2004 Site of the Day archives good flying in the Valley. The Fraser Valley Cross Country PG Series was successssful.
March 2004 Site of the Day archives Nicole won in Brazil, otherwise the month sucked for flying time.
February 2004 Site of the Day archives some local flights extended to an hour with vigourous scratching above the trees. Good paramotor month.
January 2004 Site of the Day archives Mexican road trip yielded 20 hours of flight and a wet Canadian January kept most local pilots on the ground.
December 2003 Site of the Day archives we flew a few times but it got really cold at the end of the month as we prepared for a gala New Year's Party for 40 of our close personal friends and neighbours.
November 2003 Site of the Day archives windy and wet with the odd good soaring day, not many pilots out these days.
October 2003 Site of the Day archives Women's Fly In was great fun, some good soaring days mid-month, most of the students are signed off.
September 2003 Site of the Day archives good conditions until the last days of the month when it got stable. Most days were flyable at Woodside or Bridal.
August 2003 Site of the Day archives Forest closures made the end of the month a non-flying period unless you headed to Blanchard. FlyBC SIV 2003 was a great success with 9 stunt pilots and no deployments or crashes.
July 2003 Site of the Day archives we flew most days early at Woodside until it got windy, then over to Bridal. Good Golden flying reports from the "Willi".
June 2003 Site of the Day archives we flew most weekdays at Bridal, Woodside worked most weekends. Bridal Air Races had one great day with only two tree landings!
May 2003 Site of the Day archives not a great weather month on the coast, especially on the weekends but a few pilots managed to get some great airtime at Bridal. The Nationals were held in Lumby and it didn't rain!
April 2003 Site of the Day archives rain for 28 of 30 April days, but we managed to get a few flights in between showers. Even the golfers were complaining!
March 2003 Site of the Day archives some high spring flights in early March, but not a great weather month. Still no HPAC Insurance!
February 2003 Site of the Day archives some nice long spring flights in late February. HPAC Insurance expired on Feb 14, so many pilots stayed home instead of getting USHGA coverage.
January 2003 Site of the Day archives lots of rain all month in BC so we bailed and headed to Tapalpa Mexico for three weeks. Norm and Lucille had a great XC flight the first day we arrived.
December 2002 Site of the Day archives lots of rain all month.
November 2002 Site of the Day archives not a great flying month, lots of rain in the beginning and then super stable and inverted for the balance of the month. Even the Savona Road Trip wasn't that great. Looking forward to Mexico!
October 2002 Site of the Day archives Still soarable some days, great fun at the Women's Fly In 2002 in Chelan. Allan logged 15 hours and only flew a few days. Most of the students are ready for signoff soon to get ready for Mexico trips!
September 2002 Site of the Day archives Still soarable most everyday! Some scary incidents at Woodside. Fun flying at Ashcroft.
August 2002 Site of the Day archives More spring-like days with super lapse rates, great fun up-country at Revelstoke and Mara, with some good XCs for all.
July 2002 Site of the Day archives Some spring-like days with super lapse rates, but still rather wet at times.
June 2002 Site of the Day archives another rainy and windy month with great lapse rates, some great flights at Bridal with some getting above Cheam Peak. The Club Cup was nearly rained out but they got one valid task in on Sunday June 30.
May 2002 Site of the Day archives an extremely rainy month with the more spring mayhem, another reserve deployment at Lil Nick and a pilot crashed at the top of Deroche Mountain, uninjured but with a ripped glider and long hike down the mountain. Colleen placed 5th place at the Canadian PG Nationals in rainy Lumby!
April 2002 Site of the Day archives a rainy month with the usual spring mayhem, one reserve deployment at Woodside and a pilot hit a parked car at Bridal LZ, fracturing his leg.
March 2002 Site of the Day archives a few great days days with lots of snow and rain mixed in.
February 2002 Site of the Day archives two epic days already (4.5 hours and 2.5 hours!).
January 2002 Site of the Day archives Mexico vacation shots, some local flying but it was wet on the coast.
December 2001 Site of the Day archives pretty stable locally, wettest December on record, some good days sprinkled thru the month.
November 2001 Site of the Day archives pretty stable locally, had some good days at Woodside +2 hours, lots of rain later in the month.
October 2001 Site of the Day archives pretty stable locally, but great flying at Chelan at the Women's Fly In.
September 2001 Site of the Day archives starting to get pretty stable, more sled rides forecast for October.
Aug 2001 Site of the Day archives Mara, Bridal, till some great flights locally
July 2001 Site of the Day archives Road Trip Month, Golden, Mara, points east!
June 2001 Site of the Day archives Great Month, 3 hours of airtime for some pilots every time they flew Bridal Lower! Some getting up to 6 hours in a single flight!
May 2001 Site of the Day archives Unstable Month, 2-3 hours of airtime for some pilots every time they flew Bridal Lower!
April 2001 Site of the Day archives Rainy Month, not as much airtime for some pilots
March 2001 Site of the Day archives Spring has Sprung!
February 2001 Site of the Day archives Spring is in the Air!
January 2001 Site of the Day archives - Mexico Flying Trip
December 2000 Site of the Day archives
November 2000 Site of the Day archives (great month for airtime!)
October 2000 Site of the Day archives
September 2000 Site of the Day archives
July - August 2000 Site of the Day archives
June 2000 Site of the Day archives
March - May 2000 Site of the Day archives
| FlyBC Home | Paragliding History |
|
Box 79, Harrison Mills, BC Canada V0M 1L0 Mobile: 604-618-5467 Skype: flybcpg E-Mail: FlyBC E-Mail |