Ridge Soaring?

On Jan 31, 4:31*pm, "
wrote:
So if you go somewhere, where there is a good ridge, and good
instruction, say for a two week vacation....you may get one day of
ridge flying, maybe two......if you are really lucky a couple of
days......

I am told that the ridge by Dillingham Airfield (Hawaii) is very
reliable. Unfortunately, it is kind of short.

Bart

I am told that the ridge by Dillingham Airfield (Hawaii) is very
reliable. Unfortunately, it is kind of short.

Bart[/quote]

Thanks to all for the advice. Opinions are like rear ends, everybody has one. I would definitely take a two or three week jaunt to some place good for the opportunity to ridge soar as much as possible. Just wish that Central Florida Convergence would pop up once occasionally.

On the positive side, we have had a few good days of thermal activity at Seminole Lake GP. Managed a few climbs to over 5K the other day in a 1-34. I have a lot to learn but an enjoying it thoroughly.

Walt

On Jan 31, 7:48*pm, Bart wrote:
On Jan 31, 4:31*pm, "

wrote:
So if you go somewhere, where there is a good ridge, and good
instruction, say for a two week vacation....you may get one day of
ridge flying, maybe two......if you are really lucky a couple of
days......

I am told that the ridge by Dillingham Airfield (Hawaii) is very
reliable. Unfortunately, it is kind of short.

Bart

But Hawaii seems like a nice place for a vacation! I hear that the
glider port is in kind of a remote area though!

Cookie

Of Ridge Soaring, Chilhowee, and Blairstown, I would recommend the
first two over the latter for an initial ridge "classroom" even though
I've flown out of Blairstown for years. It's not a textbook site. You
can't go north safely. Going south more than a few miles requires
traversing some dodgy terrain with limited outlanding potential.
That's mostly an issue when the ridge is weak but it adds to the
stress when learning to fly such conditions. And on most days (i.e.,
when the wind is from the NW), the airport is on the wrong (i.e., back
side) of the ridge. Therefore when the wind is marginal, one must
commit to turning downwind over the top of the ridge before falling
below it, then gliding a few miles back to Blairstown (no problem) or
else incur the risk of landing on the far side of the Delware River,
involving a retrieve and likely fine from the police. Not unsafe; it
just requires more discipline.

Chip Bearden
ASW 24 "JB"
USA

"and likely fine from the police"

The police can fine you for an outlanding?

Bob

Originally Posted by Chip Bearden[_2_]

Of Ridge Soaring, Chilhowee, and Blairstown, I would recommend the
first two over the latter for an initial ridge "classroom" even though
I've flown out of Blairstown for years. It's not a textbook site. You
can't go north safely. Going south more than a few miles requires
traversing some dodgy terrain with limited outlanding potential.
That's mostly an issue when the ridge is weak but it adds to the
stress when learning to fly such conditions. And on most days (i.e.,
when the wind is from the NW), the airport is on the wrong (i.e., back
side) of the ridge. Therefore when the wind is marginal, one must
commit to turning downwind over the top of the ridge before falling
below it, then gliding a few miles back to Blairstown (no problem) or
else incur the risk of landing on the far side of the Delware River,
involving a retrieve and likely fine from the police. Not unsafe; it
just requires more discipline.

Chip Bearden
ASW 24 "JB"
USA

Thanks for the specific advice Chip. Always wondered what the police response would be to a landout. Lots of cop/deputy friends locally and they look at me like I have two heads when I ask that question. They seem unconcerned as long as there is no property damage or death/injuries.

Walt

On Feb 1, 2:38*am, Bob wrote:
"and likely fine from the police"

The police can fine you for an outlanding?

Bob

Well, first of all it's not the police, its the national park
service. That section of ridge is , of all things, a "national
recreation area"....which means: "don't be seen doing anything the
resembles fun in any way."

Although the rangers typically hand out a summons for landing in
"other than a designated area", which is a law on the
books..........they forget to read the whole law, which states "except
in circumstances beyond the control of the operator". So you don't
have to pay the fine......

Now the really funny thing is that where we do typically land in the
national recreation area, is called the "Hialeah Air Park"...."Air"
like "airplane" like model airplane, like a 500' billiard table
smooth landing strip with long approaches on either side, with a huge
farm field along side too.

Actually any out landing on private property can be considered
"trespassing" and the owner could easily press charges if he so
desired! Be real humble, polite, and thankful to the owner of
wherever you land out!

Cookie

On Feb 1, 1:00*am, Chip Bearden wrote:
Of Ridge Soaring, Chilhowee, and Blairstown, I would recommend the
first two over the latter for an initial ridge "classroom" even though
I've flown out of Blairstown for years. It's not a textbook site. You
can't go north safely. Going south more than a few miles requires
traversing some dodgy terrain with limited outlanding potential.
That's mostly an issue when the ridge is weak but it adds to the
stress when learning to fly such conditions. And on most days (i.e.,
when the wind is from the NW), the airport is on the wrong (i.e., back
side) of the ridge. Therefore when the wind is marginal, one must
commit to turning downwind over the top of the ridge before falling
below it, then gliding a few miles back to Blairstown (no problem) or
else incur the risk of landing on the far side of the Delware River,
involving a retrieve and likely fine from the police. Not unsafe; it
just requires more discipline.

Chip Bearden
ASW 24 "JB"
USA

Chip,

I see your point, but not really......We get people who come to BT who
say they have "ridge experience" but we we take them on the ridge,
they don't have a clue. Because they never really flew a "real"
ridge. I guess there is something to be said about starting out
easy........but at BT the "local" ridge is a "pussy" ridge. You can
learn what you need to know, and not get in any trouble at all. Once
you are ready for more, then you can get more advanced and learn gap
crossings etc. Sure we don't go too far north, because the ridge
doesn't go there! (we are at the end of the line) With a couple of
thermals, you can head north to more ridge, but what's the point when
you can sure go south!

I always say that ridge flying is "deceptively simple".....when it
works it is a no brainer....just point and go! Learning to fly ridge
is all about knowing what to do when things don't go well. Learing to
thermal out when you are below ridge top, how to cross gaps and
transitions, how to read changes in conditions during the day. Anybody
can fly on a "pussy" ridge and soon get a false sense of
confidence.

It's like when people say you can't really learn to fly in a 2-33
because it doesn't spin well. Learning on an "easy" ridge doesn't
really do the job.

Cookie

On Jan 31, 10:31*pm, Walt Connelly Walt.Connelly.
wrote:
I am told that the ridge by Dillingham Airfield (Hawaii) is very
reliable. Unfortunately, it is kind of short.

Bart

Thanks to all for the advice. *Opinions are like rear ends, everybody has
one. *I would definitely take a two or three week jaunt to some place good
for the opportunity to ridge soar as much as possible. *Just wish that
Central Florida Convergence would pop up once occasionally.

On the positive side, we have had a few good days of thermal activity at
Seminole Lake GP. *Managed a few climbs to over 5K the other day in a
1-34. *I have a lot to learn but an enjoying it thoroughly.

Walt

--
Walt Connelly

"Opinions are like rear ends, everybody has
one."

Right, but you asked! LOL

So FWIW, here's some more opinion..........It doesn't matter where you
go! Just go! If it's easiest to go to the closest place, go there.
If time and money don't matter, go somewhere that catches your fancy
(France or Hawaii). As long as you do something to expand your
horizons, you will become a better pilot! On top of that, a "soaring
road trip" is going to be a blast on any number of levels!

Cookie

FYI..While on this subject. One of the Blairstown clubs is sponsoring
an FAA WINGS seminar on "ridge flying safety". I believe the date is
sometime early in July this year. Several really top notch Ridge
"aces" are scheduled to speak.

Stay tuned...


Cookie