2017 Dust Devil Dash - Mountain Valley Airport (L94) California

September 9th, 2017. Annual Dust Devil Dash. Mountain Valley Airport (L94), Tehachapi, California. 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 (9-8-17) 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

Getting closer...
Thanks to John Leibacher, the DDD Waypoint files and current airspace are now available on the Soaring Turnpoint Exchange.
http://soaringweb.org/TP/Tehachapi/files.html
I will create a more current TFR file prior to the 9th.
Jim

DDD turnpoint files must include the entire west coast and great basin?

On Monday, August 14, 2017 at 10:18:06 PM UTC-7, Tony wrote:
DDD turnpoint files must include the entire west coast and great basin?

Flights have "gone off the map" several times before, so in a word, YES!
Jim

The forecast is looking good for the "Kowbell of the West", even if it's only going to about 16,000'.
I think the Snake River Valley between Twin Falls (888km) and Idaho Falls 1082km) will be a popular destination.
Perhaps RW will make it to Jackson Hole this year? Tony, that's only 1152km.
A link to the latest TFR files (TXT and CUB formats) will be posted on Friday.
Jim

I unfortunately can't fly this year😢
RW

On Friday, February 24, 2017 at 11:57:05 AM UTC-8, Rob M wrote:
September 9th, 2017. Annual Dust Devil Dash. Mountain Valley Airport (L94), Tehachapi, California. 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 (9-8-17) 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

Rob,

Since the DDD relies mainly on the "honor system" for determining the distance flown, is it possible to allow self-launching sailplanes and TMGs to participate without engine recorders? Just curious...

Chris

On Tuesday, September 5, 2017 at 3:51:22 PM UTC-7, wrote:
Rob,

Since the DDD relies mainly on the "honor system" for determining the distance flown, is it possible to allow self-launching sailplanes and TMGs to participate without engine recorders? Just curious...

Chris

Why would someone own a SLSP, TMG, or even a sustainer without having an appropriate logger?

DDD Distance scored is from the flight log.
Have suggested taping the engine compartment of a SLSP or sustainer closed before takeoff and the pilot make the flight as a pure glider. Most TMGs are more difficult, but Rob owns a Ximango so knows about those things.
I "disabled" an engine compartment once while running the grid at a contest in Australia. One pilot was going to withdraw from the day as his main logger died and the backup logger had no ENL detection. The pilot won the day flying his N3DM as a pure glider.
Jim

On Tuesday, September 5, 2017 at 5:29:53 PM UTC-7, JS wrote:
On Tuesday, September 5, 2017 at 3:51:22 PM UTC-7, wrote:
Rob,

Since the DDD relies mainly on the "honor system" for determining the distance flown, is it possible to allow self-launching sailplanes and TMGs to participate without engine recorders? Just curious...

Chris

Why would someone own a SLSP, TMG, or even a sustainer without having an appropriate logger?

DDD Distance scored is from the flight log.
Have suggested taping the engine compartment of a SLSP or sustainer closed before takeoff and the pilot make the flight as a pure glider. Most TMGs are more difficult, but Rob owns a Ximango so knows about those things.
I "disabled" an engine compartment once while running the grid at a contest in Australia. One pilot was going to withdraw from the day as his main logger died and the backup logger had no ENL detection. The pilot won the day flying his N3DM as a pure glider.
Jim

Last time I flew the DDD was around 2002 or 3. Back then you had a landing card to be filled out by any "witness" and mailed back from the Post Office nearest the landing point. There was no verification of release alttitue other than what the tow pilots might have recorded...

As to your question; I don't have a logger because I completed my badges decades ago and don't compete in my 25/1 TMG.

Chris

Guys...

Still looking like a pretty good weather pattern for the DDD.. heading N the NE. Looks like 300-450 mile flights are possible.

Here's what Skysight.io is saying:

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/l6zvltqvu...S7IjxvEwa?dl=0

Skysight is a great tool for planning soaring X-country 3-5 days out. Please consider subscribing for $10/mon or $79/year

Walt Rogers WX