Dust Devil Dash - September 10

[JS]

(From SSA calendar)
September 10, 2016,
Annual Dust Devil Dash - Mountain Valley Airport (L94), Tehachapi, CA.
This is a one day straight out handicapped distance event. All sailplanes and sailplane pilots welcome. 2 place sailplane.........no problem. Pilots are responsible for paying for their own tow, flight, and bringing their own crew.
Camping facilities, and tows available through Skylark North. Hotels and other amenities available nearby. Potluck BBQ on the Friday evening (9-9-16) prior the Dust Devil Dash. Bring your own meat to grill, your own beverage, and a dish to share. Grill, plates, utensils and other necessities provided.
For more information contact Rob Morgan 858-442-6194.

Everyone lands out. Go for that 1000k straight out! Flights have been made into Oregon and Idaho.
Thanks to John Leibacher, current waypoint and airspace files are now on the Soaring Turnpoint Exchange.
http://soaringweb.org/TP/Tehachapi
Airspace files will be updated on the 9th. This Dropbox link will have airspace in TXT and CUB format and already includes a CUPX waypoint file with landing point satellite imagery that works well in LX9000 series.
http://tinyurl.com/DustDevilDash
Jim

[Sean[_2_]]

I would love, absolutely love to do this event someday!!!!!!

You should make sure everyone has trackers and promote this so we can all watch the flights play out!

[JS]

WX says the forecast is improving. TFRs are updated as of this evening and will be updated again tomorrow evening.
Looks good.
http://tinyurl.com/DustDevilDash
The NOTAM of most interest is the main Tonopah runway being paved. Action in DOON!
TPH 08/005 (KTPH A0061/16) TPH RWY 15/33 CLSD 1608031900-1610010100
The other runway is 50' wide but in awful shape. The ramp is something like 5000' x 600'. Also a bit rough but well used for landing gliders.
Whatever the Baron tells you... The Tonopah Stsrbucks, Nordstrom and REI never opened and even the McDonalds closed.
Jim

[WaltWX[_2_]]

Here's my announcement of a Dropbox Weather Board today for the DDD:

OK, guys... !

It's looking really good, perhaps outstanding for this late in the season. I've posted a Dropbox Weather Board at:

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/8r23khynu2hu3ym/AADzMi0dLrcRPjIoa965P2W9a?dl=0

In here you will find a folder containing forecasts all targeted at around 21Z - 2pm PDT or thereabouts Saturday 09/10/2016. Each folder contains what the forecasts were saying on those days... Thur, Fri and Saturday.

Notice that there are snapshots of XCSkies, DrJack and TopMeteo. XCSkies shows it most clearly. The best route is north up the Sierras into Northeastern California and perhaps... into SE Oregon. That route shows the best cu markers... 17-18k mst at the best in the Central Sierra. Another possible route is to cross over to the Inyos or Whites and then turn ENE into Central NV. But, this path is not favored... because of the lack of cu cloud coverage.

You can look at model soundings in that folder for several sites. I've added KRNO (Reno), Alturas (KAAT), and Susanville (KSVE). A reminder... BDG is Bridgeport... an excellent thermal profile!

Stay tuned .. Friday morning, I'll update the graphics and model forecasts.

Plans are to prepare most of the briefing early Saturday morning from my home in Palmdale... then drive my trailer to Inyokern where JS and I will fly our mini-Safari O&R to Minden over two days.

I will deliver a remote phone briefing to the Raven's Nest at MVA Saturday morning.

Walt Rogers WX

[WaltWX[_2_]]

If you dive into my Dropbox Weather Briefing folders, you will see one with ModelSoundings. These are bufkit soundings using the RAOB.com program to make time height cross sections of thermal heights (Thermal index TI=0 is the white band), surface temp, Surface wind and Lifted Condensation Level (LCL) or cu cloud base.

KMHV is Mojave, CA the closest site to Tehachapi although much lower
KNID is China Lake, not too far away from Inyokern
TBM is a virtual point in the high Sierra between Mt Whitney and Bishop
BDG is Bridgeport, a high mountain valley location between Bishop and Minden

Most of the model soundings are not representative of the best soaring on ridge tops, except for BDG, KTVL (Tahoe) and KTRK Truckee

Walt Rogers WX

[Ramy[_2_]]

The other runway at Tonopah is fine. We used it multiple times during the Tonopah camp this year. A bit rough but no big deal and should work even for 18m.
It is in better shape than the ramp.

Ramy

[Soartech]

> Everyone lands out. Go for that 1000k straight out! Flights have been made into Oregon and Idaho.

> Jim

Love it! Just like XC hang gliding and paragliding but with much higher performance. We need an east coast event like this.

[JS]

It's looking like Oregon will be the direction. Essentially, follow the Pacific Crest Trail.
Bend? 1026.4km.
Jim

[Tony[_5_]]

Looking forward to following along tomorrow

[JS]

Cross-posting for WX.
Jim

.... Update...

Weather still looks on track the same as discussed in an earlier email.

A minor cut off low 500mb moving NW along coast from LA area will help
to destabilize airmass over Sierras. But, with the dry airmass that
means just lots of high based cu 15-17k msl based from the Tehachapi
Mtns north to Lake Tahoe and Truckee. Best route is into S or SE
Oregon... probably along Cascades north of Klamath Falls. it will be
"blue" north of about Susanville.

Take a look at DrJack, XCSkies and Topmeteo... also modelsoundings in
the folder:

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/jcamnkf7d725fu3/AABIbkrI1dc0Da2U-SmfgYwka?dl=0

Launch time at Mt Valley will probably be around 1130am... perhaps a tad
earlier.... to about 8500msl. Winds at Ridge Top Level will probably be
SE 10kts. Surface winds either light W or SE... perhaps switching during
launch.

Overall... an outstanding day for flights north.

Walt Rogers WX

[JS]

The last pre-DDD update of TFR files for a 450SM radius of Tonopah, Nevada in TXT and CUB formats is available.
Find them in Dropbox (link below) and the Tehachapisoaring Yahoo newsgroup.
http://tinyurl.com/DustDevilDash
The waypoint database 2016 v1.5 is available on Soaring Turnpoint Exchange, thanks to John Leibacher. I only ask John for one update per year. He may or may not have updated airspace files, depending on his work load.
The Tehachapisoaring group has access to 2016 v1.6. Dropbox has CUPX file v1.6. The changes are minor, and documented in the SW Aviation Database Information.pdf file, in Dropbox.
Jim

[Tony[_5_]]

Looks like at least two are north of Reno! Go go go!

[Tony[_5_]]

On Saturday, September 10, 2016 at 6:33:56 PM UTC-5, Tony wrote:
> Looks like at least two are north of Reno! Go go go!

Kevin Wayt at Lakeview, Oregon! 495 miles, nice!

[JS]

On Saturday, September 10, 2016 at 7:32:36 PM UTC-7, Tony wrote:
> On Saturday, September 10, 2016 at 6:33:56 PM UTC-5, Tony wrote:
> > Looks like at least two are north of Reno! Go go go!
>
> Kevin Wayt at Lakeview, Oregon! 495 miles, nice!

Results:
(dist/handicap dist)
1 Kevin Wayt 499.1 / 436.21

[JS]

On Saturday, September 10, 2016 at 7:32:36 PM UTC-7, Tony wrote:
> On Saturday, September 10, 2016 at 6:33:56 PM UTC-5, Tony wrote:
> > Looks like at least two are north of Reno! Go go go!
>
> Kevin Wayt at Lakeview, Oregon! 495 miles, nice!

Win, place and show...
(distance/handicap dist. In land miles)

1 Kevin Wayt Ventus C/17.6 Lake Co. OR 499.1/436.21
2 Terry Honikman/Thorsten Streppel Stemme S10VT Cedarville, CA 455.4/403.48
3 Tom Serkowski ASW27B Ravendale, CA 407.1/357.43

Jim

[[email protected]]

Jim,

How exactly are those distances measured?


Launch to Landing?

Start gate to fixed point?

Release point to fixed point?

Release point to landing?

R5



>
> Win, place and show...
> (distance/handicap dist. In land miles)
>
> 1 Kevin Wayt Ventus C/17.6 Lake Co. OR 499.1/436.21
> 2 Terry Honikman/Thorsten Streppel Stemme S10VT Cedarville, CA 455.4/403.48
> 3 Tom Serkowski ASW27B Ravendale, CA 407.1/357.43
>
> Jim

[Ramy[_2_]]

Tom actually landed at Fall River Mills, not Ravendale.

Ramy

[JS]

On Tuesday, September 13, 2016 at 10:52:19 AM UTC-7, Ramy wrote:
> Tom actually landed at Fall River Mills, not Ravendale.
>
> Ramy

Well spotted, Ramy!
I needed to get on the road and quickly copied those things from the preliminary score sheet.
Just spoke with Rob Morgan, who will correct that from Grand Junction or Greeley.
Tom's extra ~30 points will look good but may not change the leader sheet.

To answer R5's question it's Carl Herold Handicap, launch to landing. Penalty for ballast. Everyone tows to the ridge just south of Mountain Valley.

Past scores are available on SoCalSoaring.com
Anything from LK-10 to Nimbus 4D has appeared at the top of the score sheet.
http://www.socalsoaring.com/index.php?page=dustdevil
(includes a link to Crystal Squadron straight-out flights)
Jim

[JS]

More than likely this will be the score sheet.
Kevin did it again!
Jim

Pos Pilot Landing Glider/ID SM/Hcp Dist
1 Kevin Wayt Lake County, OR Ventus C-17.6 RW 499.1/436.21
2 T.Honikman/T.Streppel Cedarville, CA Stemme S10 TH 455.4/403.48
3 Tom Serkowski Fall River Mills, CA ASW-27B 5Z 439.3/385.71
4 Tom Riley Nervino, CA American Spirit TR 342.7/322.82
5 Tom Coussens Truckee, CA PIK-20D Z9 305.9/290.61
6 Doug Fronius Truckee, CA ASW-20 NXS 305.9/279.29
7 Jim Neff Field SE of Mammoth SGS-1-26E 552 161.0/257.60
8 Donald Buman Douglas Co Arp, NV LS-6c 7 278.3/242.96
9 Bill Laningham Bishop, CA ASW-24 DB 157.6/148.14
10 Mike Stryker Olancha, CA SGS1-36 17Q 85.7/112.61
11 Niv Levy Olancha, CA ASW-15 N 85.7/85.70
12 Ron Hodge California City SGS1-26D 417 23.0/36.80

[[email protected]]

On Tuesday, September 13, 2016 at 5:02:50 PM UTC-7, JS wrote:
> More than likely this will be the score sheet.
> Kevin did it again!
> Jim
>
> Pos Pilot Landing Glider/ID SM/Hcp Dist
> 1 Kevin Wayt Lake County, OR Ventus C-17.6 RW 499.1/436.21
> 2 T.Honikman/T.Streppel Cedarville, CA Stemme S10 TH 455.4/403.48
> 3 Tom Serkowski Fall River Mills, CA ASW-27B 5Z 439.3/385.71
> 4 Tom Riley Nervino, CA American Spirit TR 342.7/322.82
> 5 Tom Coussens Truckee, CA PIK-20D Z9 305.9/290.61
> 6 Doug Fronius Truckee, CA ASW-20 NXS 305.9/279.29
> 7 Jim Neff Field SE of Mammoth SGS-1-26E 552 161.0/257.60
> 8 Donald Buman Douglas Co Arp, NV LS-6c 7 278.3/242.96
> 9 Bill Laningham Bishop, CA ASW-24 DB 157.6/148.14
> 10 Mike Stryker Olancha, CA SGS1-36 17Q 85.7/112.61
> 11 Niv Levy Olancha, CA ASW-15 N 85.7/85.70
> 12 Ron Hodge California City SGS1-26D 417 23.0/36.80

Way to go Kevin!

He and I left the start thermal at the same time and flew together for the first 20-30 miles then split up to go up opposite sides of the Sierras. Rejoined at Mammoth and added Terry/Thorsten to the group. The three ships then flew loose formation to Susanville before splitting up.

I saw a few wisps forming ahead on a path to Mt Shasta, so decided to try reaching it. Unfortunately, I didn't realize that apparently marine air infiltrated the high ground east of Redding and couldn't find any more thermal lift. Worked some ridge lift on a couple hills before throwing in the towel and landing at Fall River Mills.

Kevin, as is often the case, managed to time his final glide to arrive just a couple minutes before sunset!

5Z

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

Congrats to "JN" in the 1-26......,.stated by part owner of SGS-126 #002...,,,,
Great flight.

[Sean[_2_]]

I'm set to fly the DDD next year in a Nimbus 4D. Cant wait!

Yes we do need this in the East. How about one in Ionia, MI the weekend beforehand or after the DDD for 2017? Probably would be better out of Mifflin or Blairstown but I think Michigan is a bigger challenge south into Ohio or Indiana! I'm thinking a 3 day weekend in which the best distance wins. Fly or 3 days or just the best day.

[[email protected]]

Actually, the original intent of the DDD was an end of season fun flight of a few hundred km in weakening weather. Recently, we've had really good luck with very good weather and very long retrieves. Fun for pilots, but quite a drag for crews. My wife has been using a co-driver for the last 5 or so years :-)

-Tom

On Friday, September 16, 2016 at 8:32:08 PM UTC-7, Sean wrote:
> I'm set to fly the DDD next year in a Nimbus 4D. Cant wait!
>
> Yes we do need this in the East. How about one in Ionia, MI the weekend beforehand or after the DDD for 2017? Probably would be better out of Mifflin or Blairstown but I think Michigan is a bigger challenge south into Ohio or Indiana! I'm thinking a 3 day weekend in which the best distance wins.. Fly or 3 days or just the best day.

[Tony[_5_]]

I suggest memorial day for an "east" free distance contest. That way we can make a proper series out if it. East on memorial day weekend, Kansas Kowbell Klassic near the Solstice, and DDD right after labor day.