Gordon Boettger Glider Record Attempt - Mon 03/21/2016

[WaltWX[_2_]]

Posted by Walt Rogers - WX

As flight dispatcher/weather support I once again will be commenting on the flight through my twitter feed: @wrogerswx

My blog is NOT active this year. However, I'll post graphics and occasional longer discussions on my Dropbox account "Weather Board":

http://bit.ly/1pv30VS

__________________________________________________ ____________________________

On Monday 31 Mar, I'll be making another record attempt in the Duo Discus glider with Hugh. If you're interested in following along, you can click on the link below which will provide you with my position, altitude, and speed throughout the flight. Select the arrow next to MAP FILTERS on the left and then by DATE AND TIME RANGE select CURRENTLY TRACKING to follow the flight. On the map you can click on the blue dots which will show more detailed position at that point. There is also a CENTER button on the left side that shows current position on the map. Altitudes and speeds will vary throughout the flight, but we will have a clearance up to 28,000 feet.

My main goal is to complete a straight line distance record with a goal of Rapid City, SD, however excessive upper level moisture along the route in NV might not make it possible to fly that route safely. We will make that call at launch time (sunrise). Our other option would be to fly north and south along the Sierra Nevada range and attempting a 3 turn point distance record, so I'll likely aim for flying from Minden (launch point) down to Inyokern, then up to Susanville, back down towards Mojave, and then back north to Minden or the northeast in NV. As you know, there are so many variables with this stuff, so who really knows where we'll end up, where we go, or when we land. Bottom line for me is to have fun and keep learning.

Click below to track our flight:

https://share.delorme.com/GordonBoettger


I'm not sure how this twitter stuff works, but Walt Rogers' (expert weather guy tracking our flight and in communication with us during the flight) has a twitter feed going.
Walt's Twitter feed:

@wrogerswx

Cheers,
Gordo

[[email protected]]

The very best of luck Gordo. If you pull either of those options off wx dependent of course, they will be equivalent to a 400 mile flight in a 1-26 but with a whole lot longer retreave especially SD lol. Good luck again.

[Michael Opitz]

Doesn't Gordo mean 21 March and not 31 March??? Good luck...

[WaltWX[_2_]]

Gordo meant... 21 Mar 2016. He corrected it shortly after I posted in his email.



> On Monday 31 Mar, I'll be making another record attempt in the Duo Discus glider with Hugh. If you're interested in following along, you can click on

[Tony[_5_]]

Go man go!!

[[email protected]]

Making Rapid City over the Rockies is in my opinion a WAY bigger flight than 400 in a 1-26. A good long thermal downwind post frontal dash in a 1-26 is nothing to sneeze at but its been done. The risk, breadth of knowledge, and logistics of a big inter-mountain wave flight is in a completely different league.
MM

[Steve Leonard[_2_]]

Looks like he is on "Plan B", whatever that is. Looks like KRAP is not the destination of choice today for B&B Airlines.

[[email protected]]

Yep a long distance wave flight ingenders an entirely different set of challenges, but I would not say they are greater. Yes 400 miles in a 1-26 via thermal (charles shaw et al) or wave (bob speilman) has been done but its a rare comodity. My point was slightly tongue in cheek, but the degree of skill required in an historic 1-26 flight is imho a good measure above that needed for long distance in an ultra performance ship.

A 400 mile 1-26 flight is equivalent to an 800+ mile flight in a duo or for that matter, a 1,000 mile fight in an arcus or js1. The same degree of meteorologic experties and prep is needed for both classes of flight, but the 1-26 or other very low performance driver is always one decision away from a land out, while the higher performing ship grants its pilot a wonderfull L/D "cushion".
They are two very different but both very challenging endevores.

[Frank Whiteley]

On Monday, March 21, 2016 at 11:59:47 AM UTC-6, Steve Leonard wrote:
> Looks like he is on "Plan B", whatever that is. Looks like KRAP is not the destination of choice today for B&B Airlines.

They had an ATC conflict with DT and had to divert and descend for a bit.

[[email protected]]

Frank am I reading the correct flight track with them making it into wyoming?

[WaltWX[_2_]]

Monitor the @wrogerswx twitter feed for updates.

I haven't made any for about 2 hours since he's on the boring "Plan B", zig-zag on the Sierras. Probably will arrive back over Minden after turning about 10nm north of Inyokern.

Talked to Gordo a couple of hours ago... and the plan was to make a couple of passes up and down the Sierras then perhaps turn E-NE bound for extra OLC miles.

As of 11:34am PDT... Dennis Tito is back in the Inyokern area after turning over Mono Lake.

Walt Rogers WX

[[email protected]]

Ok I found them, they show running northbound east of Topaz lake. Man I sure do miss that country.

[[email protected]]

Walt what are you flying these days? I remember when you had the asw15 up there in minden years ago.

[WaltWX[_2_]]

On Monday, March 21, 2016 at 11:48:37 AM UTC-7, wrote:
> Walt what are you flying these days? I remember when you had the asw15 up there in minden years ago.

Discus 2A. Just "got back in the saddle" last Sunday first flight of season out of Tehachapi, Mountain Valley airport local flying.

Walt WX

[JS]

Plan B it is. Wasn't sure the wave was going to be consistent over the Basin and Range.. HRRR seemed to show just a short time when things lined up.
Jet Pilot is a late starter today... Perhaps another speed run? How do you beat last week's 305kph over 300K?
The Glideport.aero tracking site gained the ability to view regional flights a couple of weeks ago, so looking at [California and Nevada] shows Russ Owens, Larry Armi, Dennis Tito, Jet Pilot and Gordo. flying out of Lone Pine, Inyokern and Minden.
Jim

[[email protected]]

Good to hear Walt, I just got back involved myself, but down (up) graded from the pilatus b4 and my bro's ventus back into doing some 1-26 record chasing. I sure do miss the minden susanville mt patterson bishop soaring and wave scene however. Its a vastly different world soaring this swamp country of n. Fl and s. Al.

[ND]

Hi Walt,

where do you find the hi res satellite loops that go all day? the ADDS satellite loop only lasts 9 frames. :/

[Jonathan St. Cloud]

With all due respect, rather than debate the merits of past deeds and which is more difficult, the real point is Gordo is actually planning and flying flights to push boundaries. It matters not the stead or the goal, it is doing something that others don't dare, and therein is what matters.

On Monday, March 21, 2016 at 11:03:15 AM UTC-7, wrote:
> Yep a long distance wave flight ingenders an entirely different set of challenges, but I would not say they are greater. Yes 400 miles in a 1-26 via thermal (charles shaw et al) or wave (bob speilman) has been done but its a rare comodity. My point was slightly tongue in cheek, but the degree of skill required in an historic 1-26 flight is imho a good measure above that needed for long distance in an ultra performance ship.
>
> A 400 mile 1-26 flight is equivalent to an 800+ mile flight in a duo or for that matter, a 1,000 mile fight in an arcus or js1. The same degree of meteorologic experties and prep is needed for both classes of flight, but the 1-26 or other very low performance driver is always one decision away from a land out, while the higher performing ship grants its pilot a wonderfull L/D "cushion".
> They are two very different but both very challenging endevores.

[[email protected]]

I agree with you there. They are taking the time applying the energy and planning to streatxh the limits. All I am advocating for is that there is another vector available for limit pushing. There is a spoken and many times unspoken bias in our soaring world against low performance flying. When I see it I respond in an attempt to maybe help change that bias just a little. I applaud every great flight be it a high performance bird or one that is low.

I just wish folks would give credit anywhere they see it. Sorry for being ever on this soap box but I feel the low-performance=incapable-or-amateur attitude is a large reason we see our glider flying ranks diminishing.

[Charlie M. (UH & 002 owner/pilot)]

On Monday, March 21, 2016 at 4:04:22 PM UTC-4, wrote:
> I agree with you there. They are taking the time applying the energy and planning to streatxh the limits. All I am advocating for is that there is another vector available for limit pushing. There is a spoken and many times unspoken bias in our soaring world against low performance flying. When I see it I respond in an attempt to maybe help change that bias just a little.. I applaud every great flight be it a high performance bird or one that is low.
>
> I just wish folks would give credit anywhere they see it. Sorry for being ever on this soap box but I feel the low-performance=incapable-or-amateur attitude is a large reason we see our glider flying ranks diminishing.

1-Great attempt at a large flight today, sorry it didn't go as planned, but still a good way to use what is available.
2-As to "low performance", it's part of why our club starts in a 2-33, then a 1-26, then up from there. For me, it was, "Get ~200hrs going places in a 1-26 before you get the 'keys' to higher performance". I learned a lot in those 200+hrs. It's still basic flying and making you "read the sky" & "work thermals".

I had numerous flights with Ron (I believe he earned all badges in a 1-26) and others out of Blairstown, NJ. as well as some other 1-26 drivers out of our field.

In some aspects, I think starting training in glass is a disservice (although new pilots like the look of glass than a 2-33) since some don't really learn to soar before trying to go places in a 1-34/Pegasus or beyond. They get frustrated and then move on.......

Anyway, enough "tangential talk", waiting to see how today's flight ends up..

[[email protected]]

Hi Charles yep Rons got his 1-26 diamond. I believe there are about 35 guys now that have done all three diamond legs in the 1-26. There had'nt been any for about 10 years untill daniel sachen, a 18 yr old from blairstown completed his this last year. Those blairstown boys make some remarkably good flights mostly using the ridge but they also clean house at the mtn and flat land contests.

I was looking at the Gordo plots, it looks like they made one flight out into east central wyoming from minden some time in the past. Thats one heck of a run.

[[email protected]]

Charles are you signed up on the 1-26 association emailing list? I have an article I wrote that you might be interested in, or you can email me your email address and ill send it to you that way.

[[email protected]]

Is there a way to filter the DeLorme inReach track so it only shows points of a single flight? Displaying the complete tracking history just confuses the mission.

On Sunday, March 20, 2016 at 6:46:00 PM UTC-4, WaltWX wrote:
> Posted by Walt Rogers - WX
>
> As flight dispatcher/weather support I once again will be commenting on the flight through my twitter feed: @wrogerswx
>
> My blog is NOT active this year. However, I'll post graphics and occasional longer discussions on my Dropbox account "Weather Board":
>
> http://bit.ly/1pv30VS
>
> __________________________________________________ ____________________________
>
> On Monday 31 Mar, I'll be making another record attempt in the Duo Discus glider with Hugh. If you're interested in following along, you can click on the link below which will provide you with my position, altitude, and speed throughout the flight. Select the arrow next to MAP FILTERS on the left and then by DATE AND TIME RANGE select CURRENTLY TRACKING to follow the flight. On the map you can click on the blue dots which will show more detailed position at that point. There is also a CENTER button on the left side that shows current position on the map. Altitudes and speeds will vary throughout the flight, but we will have a clearance up to 28,000 feet.
>
> My main goal is to complete a straight line distance record with a goal of Rapid City, SD, however excessive upper level moisture along the route in NV might not make it possible to fly that route safely. We will make that call at launch time (sunrise). Our other option would be to fly north and south along the Sierra Nevada range and attempting a 3 turn point distance record, so I'll likely aim for flying from Minden (launch point) down to Inyokern, then up to Susanville, back down towards Mojave, and then back north to Minden or the northeast in NV. As you know, there are so many variables with this stuff, so who really knows where we'll end up, where we go, or when we land. Bottom line for me is to have fun and keep learning.
>
> Click below to track our flight:
>
> https://share.delorme.com/GordonBoettger
>
>
> I'm not sure how this twitter stuff works, but Walt Rogers' (expert weather guy tracking our flight and in communication with us during the flight) has a twitter feed going.
> Walt's Twitter feed:
>
> @wrogerswx
>
> Cheers,
> Gordo

[[email protected]]

Yep benso I ran into the same problem

[Tony[_5_]]

follow on the SSA Sailplane Tracking page. glideport.aero. Gordon's DeLorme is linked there, DDT is the call sign. Then you can compare his flights with the others taking place today in the wave.

http://glideport.aero/map?p=GlideRegion:4

[Ron Gleason]

On Monday, 21 March 2016 14:35:11 UTC-6, wrote:
> Is there a way to filter the DeLorme inReach track so it only shows points of a single flight? Displaying the complete tracking history just confuses the mission.
>
> On Sunday, March 20, 2016 at 6:46:00 PM UTC-4, WaltWX wrote:
> > Posted by Walt Rogers - WX
> >
> > As flight dispatcher/weather support I once again will be commenting on the flight through my twitter feed: @wrogerswx
> >
> > My blog is NOT active this year. However, I'll post graphics and occasional longer discussions on my Dropbox account "Weather Board":
> >
> > http://bit.ly/1pv30VS
> >
> > __________________________________________________ ____________________________
> >
> > On Monday 31 Mar, I'll be making another record attempt in the Duo Discus glider with Hugh. If you're interested in following along, you can click on the link below which will provide you with my position, altitude, and speed throughout the flight. Select the arrow next to MAP FILTERS on the left and then by DATE AND TIME RANGE select CURRENTLY TRACKING to follow the flight. On the map you can click on the blue dots which will show more detailed position at that point. There is also a CENTER button on the left side that shows current position on the map. Altitudes and speeds will vary throughout the flight, but we will have a clearance up to 28,000 feet.
> >
> > My main goal is to complete a straight line distance record with a goal of Rapid City, SD, however excessive upper level moisture along the route in NV might not make it possible to fly that route safely. We will make that call at launch time (sunrise). Our other option would be to fly north and south along the Sierra Nevada range and attempting a 3 turn point distance record, so I'll likely aim for flying from Minden (launch point) down to Inyokern, then up to Susanville, back down towards Mojave, and then back north to Minden or the northeast in NV. As you know, there are so many variables with this stuff, so who really knows where we'll end up, where we go, or when we land. Bottom line for me is to have fun and keep learning.
> >
> > Click below to track our flight:
> >
> > https://share.delorme.com/GordonBoettger
> >
> >
> > I'm not sure how this twitter stuff works, but Walt Rogers' (expert weather guy tracking our flight and in communication with us during the flight) has a twitter feed going.
> > Walt's Twitter feed:
> >
> > @wrogerswx
> >
> > Cheers,
> > Gordo

yes, on the upper left you will see 'Map Filter (OFF)' click on that and you will get a list of options for filtering. You can choose 'Currently Tracking' or 'Last Track'

It looks like they have landed back in Minden

[WaltWX[_2_]]

Gordo landed around 1337 PDT back at Minden after turning near Inyokern, returning to Reno Stead area then back to Minde area.

Guess he had enough of riding the "Sierra OLC" freeway to test out his systems on this first flight.

Walt Rogers WX

[Charlie M. (UH & 002 owner/pilot)]

On Monday, March 21, 2016 at 4:33:19 PM UTC-4, wrote:
> Charles are you signed up on the 1-26 association emailing list? I have an article I wrote that you might be interested in, or you can email me your email address and ill send it to you that way.

No, I'm not on the 1-26 association group (should be, I've been part owner of 002 since the early(?) 80's)......

Have your email address, expect one from an "AOL" account really soon.

PS deleted your account from this reply so the "bot's" don't get it.

PPS, while at a contest "sorta south" of me (VA), I found a 1-26 driver. Chatted a bit where he stated, "This is likely the oldest 1-26 you'll ever see!". Heard his SN and said, "Yes, that's an old one, I fly older!". He asked the SN, he sorta deflated.
I sorta felt sorry.
Yes, I've seen 001 in Corning/Elmira (depends on who you ask as to the location), I did the Snowbird @ HHSC for a couple decades (yet another story), thus had time to see the factory as well as local displays.

I still rate "accomplishments" sorta on L/D....... thus part of why we do a short task for distance badges in a 1-26 (or similar) vs. glass. Sheesh, I was more than "silver distance" away in a ASW-28 (electrics were dead, but I could look out the canopy and had an analog vario & ASI) and "at altitude" (~8KT' AGL IIRC) so it was "final glide" for the ship.

Many of us at our airport determine "requirements" vs. "stated goal" and adjust to the sailplane..... I feel it's just.....

[Jonathan St. Cloud]

HI Walt, any idea on the WX forecast for the Minden wave camp, April 5-10?


On Monday, March 21, 2016 at 2:57:01 PM UTC-7, WaltWX wrote:
> Gordo landed around 1337 PDT back at Minden after turning near Inyokern, returning to Reno Stead area then back to Minde area.
>
> Guess he had enough of riding the "Sierra OLC" freeway to test out his systems on this first flight.
>
> Walt Rogers WX

[JS]

The flight is now on OLC
Jim

[[email protected]]

Got it...thanks Ron Gleason.

On Monday, March 21, 2016 at 4:56:00 PM UTC-4, Ron Gleason wrote:
> On Monday, 21 March 2016 14:35:11 UTC-6, wrote:
> > Is there a way to filter the DeLorme inReach track so it only shows points of a single flight? Displaying the complete tracking history just confuses the mission.
> >
> > On Sunday, March 20, 2016 at 6:46:00 PM UTC-4, WaltWX wrote:
> > > Posted by Walt Rogers - WX
> > >
> > > As flight dispatcher/weather support I once again will be commenting on the flight through my twitter feed: @wrogerswx
> > >
> > > My blog is NOT active this year. However, I'll post graphics and occasional longer discussions on my Dropbox account "Weather Board":
> > >
> > > http://bit.ly/1pv30VS
> > >
> > > __________________________________________________ ____________________________
> > >
> > > On Monday 31 Mar, I'll be making another record attempt in the Duo Discus glider with Hugh. If you're interested in following along, you can click on the link below which will provide you with my position, altitude, and speed throughout the flight. Select the arrow next to MAP FILTERS on the left and then by DATE AND TIME RANGE select CURRENTLY TRACKING to follow the flight. On the map you can click on the blue dots which will show more detailed position at that point. There is also a CENTER button on the left side that shows current position on the map. Altitudes and speeds will vary throughout the flight, but we will have a clearance up to 28,000 feet.
> > >
> > > My main goal is to complete a straight line distance record with a goal of Rapid City, SD, however excessive upper level moisture along the route in NV might not make it possible to fly that route safely. We will make that call at launch time (sunrise). Our other option would be to fly north and south along the Sierra Nevada range and attempting a 3 turn point distance record, so I'll likely aim for flying from Minden (launch point) down to Inyokern, then up to Susanville, back down towards Mojave, and then back north to Minden or the northeast in NV. As you know, there are so many variables with this stuff, so who really knows where we'll end up, where we go, or when we land. Bottom line for me is to have fun and keep learning.
> > >
> > > Click below to track our flight:
> > >
> > > https://share.delorme.com/GordonBoettger
> > >
> > >
> > > I'm not sure how this twitter stuff works, but Walt Rogers' (expert weather guy tracking our flight and in communication with us during the flight) has a twitter feed going.
> > > Walt's Twitter feed:
> > >
> > > @wrogerswx
> > >
> > > Cheers,
> > > Gordo
>
> yes, on the upper left you will see 'Map Filter (OFF)' click on that and you will get a list of options for filtering. You can choose 'Currently Tracking' or 'Last Track'
>
> It looks like they have landed back in Minden

[Frank Whiteley]

On Monday, March 21, 2016 at 2:22:51 PM UTC-6, wrote:
> Hi Charles yep Rons got his 1-26 diamond. I believe there are about 35 guys now that have done all three diamond legs in the 1-26. There had'nt been any for about 10 years untill daniel sachen, a 18 yr old from blairstown completed his this last year. Those blairstown boys make some remarkably good flights mostly using the ridge but they also clean house at the mtn and flat land contests.
>
> I was looking at the Gordo plots, it looks like they made one flight out into east central wyoming from minden some time in the past. Thats one heck of a run.

I believe Daniel was #39.

Frank Whiteley

[Frank Whiteley]

On Monday, March 21, 2016 at 2:22:51 PM UTC-6, wrote:
> Hi Charles yep Rons got his 1-26 diamond. I believe there are about 35 guys now that have done all three diamond legs in the 1-26. There had'nt been any for about 10 years untill daniel sachen, a 18 yr old from blairstown completed his this last year. Those blairstown boys make some remarkably good flights mostly using the ridge but they also clean house at the mtn and flat land contests.
>
> I was looking at the Gordo plots, it looks like they made one flight out into east central wyoming from minden some time in the past. Thats one heck of a run.

One attempt to Garden City, KS, landed in Gunnison, CO. Another ended in Logan, UT, due to weather. Two ended in Wyoming, first Casper, then Hulett (Devil's Tower).

Frank Whiteley

[[email protected]]

Yes Frank it was the devils tower plot that I was examining

[WaltWX[_2_]]

On Monday, March 21, 2016 at 12:49:36 PM UTC-7, ND wrote:
> Hi Walt,
>
> where do you find the hi res satellite loops that go all day? the ADDS satellite loop only lasts 9 frames. :/


Ah... the "Trick". Yes, it's hard to come back from a day of flying and still get all the day's visible animated imagery.

The trick is to use... Integrated Data Viewer (IDV) which can access some NCAR and Unidata servers that hold the GOES imagery for around 30 hours. The other trick is to find the time and have the patience to learn how to use IDV. That took a lot... but has now paid off.

http://www.unidata.ucar.edu/software/idv/

Lots of documentation and tutorials. But, still... a lot of time to learn the nuances...

Walter Rogers WX