FlyBC "Site of the Day" - November 2003 Archives
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/1000' (stable) | 3130 ft. |
Paramotorist Report - Kirril, Colleen and I headed to Ashcroft where we had clear skies, little wind and nice 4 degree temps where we paramotored for 3 hours behind Ashcroft Manor. It looked like flying in the Fraser Valley was severely compromised by the strong NE winds all day!
/1000' (stable) 3130 ft.
Woodside Report - We had to hike in due to slippery road conditions. About 10 of us waited at launch waiting for cloudbase to rise until 2:00 pm. I decided it was flyable after waiting for a lull in the 20-28 km wind at launch and had no problem soaring, getting to 1000 meters easily but going backwards at times! I was able to play around with speed bar and wang the glider around a bit, but my only SAT attempt failed due to poor commitment (did a Zak SAT). Because of my poor penetration no one else launched, and by the time they all drove down it had calmed down at launch (naturally). Even Don S didn't hike up his plumbing so I was the lone pilot with a bunch of eagles who were dodging the clouds with me.
|  /1000' (inverted) 2300 ft.
Severely flooded roads in the lower mainland due to heavy rain. I had a very bumpy flight back from Calgary to Abbotsford into 65 knot headwinds.
| /1000' (stable) 1900 ft.
It looked rainy from Calgary.
| /1000' (stable) 1900 ft.
Blanchard Report - Okay, finally a flying post. Any soaring flight in November in the NW is pretty rare, and it did not look promising when I met Murdoch at the LZ today at 1:00. We headed up to find launch right at the base of the clouds and winds blowing in a steady 10 on launch. Big grins. I launched first and was snatched up and off launch as soon as the wing was over my head. I spent most of the next 1:15 at between 1,900 and 2,200 out in front of launch and higher than the cloud that was forming behind launch. The wind was strong, and I was totally park a few times until I got on bar on my Quarx. The lift band extended far out from the hill, and I was still at nearly 1,800 over the LZ, where I was being rained on a bit and I only had about 3 mph ground speed so I put down in the LZ even though there was literally lift everywhere I went. The primary reason I landed, however, was that my fingers were very, very cold. I had neglected my heat pads and even with good ski gloves and liners my fingers were painfully cold. Next time I go with the over mitts and hot packs.
In the meantime, Murdoch got plucked off launch also in a fairly dramatic short, wild ride--but I will let him tell his own story. After I landed a number of other pilots showed up on launch but by then conditions had strengthened and it started to rain in earnest in the LZ so they bagged it. I will plan to go out again if we get strong south or south westerly winds and I will post if I do. Happy thanksgiving to everyone - Steve Wilson (Seattle Pilot)
| /1000' (stable) 1900 ft.
Woodside Report - it may actually have been flyable later, I flew out to Calgary at 4:50 pm and the valley wasn't too windy and good vis?
| Weather Related True Story - What happens when you predict snow but don't get any ..... a true story...We had a female news anchor who, the day after it was supposed to have snowed and didn't, turned to the weatherman and asked: "So Bob, where's that 8 inches you promised me last night?" Not only did HE have to leave the set, but half the crew did too, they were laughing so hard! /1000' (stable) 3400 ft.
Woodside Report - a few desperados went out to Woodside (Lee, Bob, Jeffrey)
and sat on the launch for 2+ hours waiting for the wind to drop.
I arrived at the top at 3:45 pm and took Colleen's wing up in case it was too strong.
Good call as I was hoovered off launch with little penetration.
I was able to penetrate on the speed bar but rather than risk not getting out to Eagle Ranch before dark,
I headed straight out. I was 200 meters above launch most of the way out until the bailout field.
Nice thermals over Eagle Ranch allowed me some time to play before landing at Stonehenge.
No one else flew as it was too strong at launch :-(
| snowing heavily at Eagle Ranch /1000' (very stable) 3400 ft.
Woodside Report - I thought I had given everyone a bad forecast because from 8:00 am - 10:00 am it looked flyable, no snow and good visibility and then it socked in and we had a blizzard that turned into rain. Even the birds were hiding out!
| /1000' (stable) 3400 ft.
Woodside Report - a group of "keeners" showed up despite grey skies! We managed to knock off three flights and still had time to go for lunch at the Sasquatch. We drove to the lower parking area off the main road without much trouble (in a loaded Suburban). The road was plowed but it is icy in places. There is about 15 cms of snow at launch, but launching was easy with NW crosswinds and not much lift but it was fun flying through light snow.
| Parahiker Report - we overheard Brad and Kevin up Elk and didn't know if they were flying but Brad mentioned the wind was picking up, the same time period as we were doing no-wind launches at Woodside? /1000' (stable) 3400 ft.
Woodside Report - strong east winds all day, through to dark. Alan hiked up Woodside yesterday and there was 20 cms of snow on launch, but the road up was plowed recently.
| /1000' (stable) 3700 ft.
Vancouver Report - cloudbase was very low on the North Shore, but it looked flyable later in the day. No pireps from Woodside or Bridal, but it rained and snowed occasionally in Abbotsford.
| /1000' (stable) 3700 ft.
Victoria Report - I was over all day working but I stopped in at Dallas Road to watch a lone kitesurfer working a westerly. Too cross to fly but a nice breeze and no rain.
| Fraser Valley Report - Ian J said he was thinking of heading out until he called Alan, who said it was too windy. /1000' (stable) 3700 ft.
Small turnout at the WCSC meeting as it was very stormy out.
| /1000' (stable) 4700 ft.
Don't forget to go to the WCSC meeting Tuesday night!
| /1000' (stable) 1600 ft.
Woodside Report - no PG or HG activity at Woodside, but an amazing display of over 100 Eagles, Hawks and other birds were seen soaring above the Fraser River and Eagle Ranch. Some meteorological phenomonon caused a huge bubble of rising air above the river and it took the birds up past cloudbase where they disappeared at times. Very pretty but then the rain started and it was too wet to stay outside watching - Jim
| /1000' (stable) 2400 ft.
I was out of town in Toronto all week and my computer died on the trip so no Site of the Day from Nov. 12-15, but I don't think anyone flew.
| /1000' (stable) 2400 ft.
Blanchard Report - TJ, Bob and Rick headed to Blanchard and the high forecast winds didn't materialize. They bagged two flights, except Rick who arrived late missing one flight then bouncing off launch on the last attempted flight and packing up to drive home.
| /1000' (stable) 2400 ft.
No flying in the Valley, too much rain. | California Report - Next day was epic flying at Sand City. Light NW winds started off so we played around the dune until it got stronger, then we headed up the coast towards Marina. Flew around for 2-3 hours. Then it got very lifty and I noticed the pilots on the ground weren't launching cause it was tail wind on launch! We figured the land breeze had kicked in and was causing the sea breeze to lift over it, making a ginormous lift band/convergence event. A couple of local pilots and I got to 1200' over the water in the lift and boated around while the pilots on the ground couldn't even inflate their gliders! We went over to the freeway about 1/2 km inland, then I headed over the water about 1/2 km out still going up. Hard to get down and it lasted until sunset. The locals say that doesn't happen very often so we were lucky to be there for it! Now 18 hours (no sleep!) and 3 Red Bulls later, I'm back in Vancouver. Time to work :( - Nicole /1000' (stable) 4300 ft.
Woodside Report - another good day of flying! We started a bit later around 11:30 pm due to east wind but once the sun came out we had good cycles all day, and at 3:30 pm the cycles picked up to over 20 km/hr and it was soarable for 35 minutes. I test flew the new Gangster but couldn't get locked into a SAT, maybe I need 2 wraps to initiate?
The Gangster had great soaring capabilities, and it is very maneuverable. Come test fly it before we send it back.
Some pilots flew 4 flights and we had a few write their Novice exam, so we have some more signed off pilots (Kirril and TJ)! | California Report - Nov. 9 the winds were too cross to fly so we headed up the coast to Moss Landing. Found a dune beach which was too low-angle for us to fly but Ian got out his motor for a bit. Later on the winds became more on so we headed back to Marina in time for a nice sunset flight, landing after dark again! /1000' (stable) 4300 ft.
Sumas Report - our 2003 Graduating Class took off to Sumas yesterday and flew without us (I had a sore back and couldn't fly). Barry, Gary, Bob, Jeffrey and Kirril launched before noon and had flights up to 1:00 with varying degrees of turbulence. Bob got too far west on the ridge and ended up at the old LZ by #3 Road.
| /1000' (stable) 4300 ft.
It was very gusty in Agassiz all afternoon. No one has been seen flying for some time.
| /1000' (unstable) 4300 ft.
Alan says it is not worth flying right now, maybe the weekend will be better.
| /1000' (unstable) 4300 ft.
Valley Report - still more north wind, it looks like a Sumas weekend if this keeps up. | California Report - Nov. 5 not enough wind for us to fly . . . Ian had a nice motor flight from LakeCourt launch and flew to Seaside and back. Yesterday the winds were light then picked up so we all flew in a short window ~1 1/2 hours. Flew partway to Sand City and back; Rob and Ian, being the keen parahikers they are, decided to walk up from the beach about 1 km from the launch :) Ian then decided to put the motor on so he wouldn't sink out again, while the rest of us emptied about 3-4 lbs of sand out of our gliders :) - Nicole /1000' (unstable) 4300 ft.
California Report - Ian, Alex and I went to LakeCourt launch in Marina. Launched into light winds but was able to stay up until it got a bit stronger. Then we headed down the coast to do a 20km out-and-return to Sand City and back. Very fun trying to stay up and cross the gaps and not sink out cause it's a long walk back!
Got back to LakeCourt and top-landed for some lunch. It got a bit stronger so I sat it out for a bit then Rob P. showed up. We all re-launched and flew until after sunset, then packed up in the dark We figure about 4-6 hours flying for us! - Nicole | Valley Report - gusty north winds. /1000' (unstable) 4300 ft.
California Report - Alex and I got to San Fransisco mid day on Sunday just in time to fly the Dumps. Flew there in slightly cross S winds but stayed up for a bit until it got too cross. Got to see the Golden Gate Bridge from the air and watch the airplanes take off right overhead!
Next day got to Marina. Blowing straight in so headed to Sand City to the dunes there. Launched and crossed the gap to the higher stuff and flew along the coast a bit. Alex went partway back to Marina while I stayed around playing around on the low dunes. Very fun doing touch-and-goes, kiting back up the sand, re-launching, etc. Eventually got blown out but very fun stuff! Have to clean the sand out of the gliders though :) - Nicole | /1000' (stable) 4300 ft.
Savona Report - we had to go to Ashcroft to pick up the white Suburban after our little accident in Ashcroft at the beginning of the month, it looks great now. And we went to Savona to check out the forecast high North winds, and got a bit of kiting in . . . in very gusty winds!
| /1000' (stable) 4300 ft.
Woodside Report - a great day at Woodside for buoyant sledders. Also great for practicing light wind launches. Jeffrey, Lee, Bob F, Peter G, Bob U, Kirril and TJ all had 2-3 flights including one last flight of Eagle Launch, landing at the Best field. The road up to Eagle Launch is very rough and the cross-ditches very deep so I suspect this might be the last trip up for this season.
It was snowing lightly on the trip up to Eagle Launch but not enough to stop flying.
| |
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 Clup 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
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