[Martin]

Mansfield August 9th

A southwesterly flow has definitely brought a change in the weather. This morning cumulous were spotted up over the eastern slopes of the Cascades early in the morning with generally clear sky’s over the Mansfield area.

It was my turn to fly, Mia’s turn to “man” the winch.

Forecast predicted SW winds 15-20kms, possible afternoon showers (minor over-development). One thing nice about the SW winds, its keeping the smoke from the Tripod fire up to the north (and blowing it back to Canada).

There still is the risk that the fire was being blown into the Loomis forest reserve (to the NE of Loomis Washington). Had it not been for the change of weather there was a real concern this fire could have easily pushed up into Canada (east of Osoyoos). Ah, but the fire season is not over yet!

Along with the forest fires, wheat harvest brings threats of field fires. During harvest, on almost a daily bases, a piece of farm equipment goes up in flames somewhere in the basin. Bone dry wheat stubble and overheated farm machinery… bad combination.

Mia and I headed out early to L + 13th. Even with the SW forecast, we were setting up for a N, NW tow. I knew that the winds would limit my opportunity for any record attempts, so my plans were to try and get a good triangle ending up back at the start. Mia also had a small project to attend to… Jeff Kohler, a few days earlier had flown out to Wilbur and left his Vario sitting in the field he landed in!

By 11:30, the cumulous development had spread gradually from the Cascades out onto the flats and when I started my tow, we had some perfect looking clouds sitting right over the release point at L and 13th.

I pinned off at 1200 ft and immediately climbed up to 6000 ft (3500 over). Impatient, I decided to get out on course, so it was off to a better looking cloud a few km’s to the east. Lift was a little on the slow side (2-400 fpm) but very reliable. Again, not being very patient I left the lift at 7200 and continued east towards Banks Lake (better looking clouds). This is usually where I get stung, fortunately it paid off, with I strong climb up to 8400 and I was on my way.

Great conditions out to my first turn point north of Wilbur (approximately 70 km’s) then my plan included a turn SW to Moody (another 70kms). Half way into this leg conditions started to decay. Well it was blue and sunny with a few Q’s, there was obviously a substantial difference in the lift… I was getting low, fighting lots of headwind (S-SW 20-28kms) and the lift had become almost impossible to work…. so its time for a change of plans…. Run away, run away! (I could see the Moody turn point, but to far into questionable territory. BTW, spotted two harvest fires sw of Moody)

I turned tail and headed back north to Almira. For a while I was thinking my retreat may have been too late? Fortunately, the tail wind got me back up to some good lift (not without one more low slave at Hartline). After the low save I was not going to take any more chances and I shot a glide west over to Mold on the west side of Banks Lake. From there it was glass smooth conditions up to cloud base (8700ft).

To rack up a few more OLC points I ran under the imbedded cloud base 18kms west of the tow site (west of Mansfield) then back for a landing at L road and the Highway. 6.5 hours airtime and just short of 200kms OLC open distance via a flat OLC triangle (GPS ran out of battery, lucky I had my Data Logger on for backup!).

Of course I owe this great flight to my wonderful, talented and beautiful tow-mister in a mini-skirt… Mia, who is more of a baby sitter then a tow operator! I look forward to returning this wonderful service tomorrow…I hope I don’t have to wear a mini-skirt!

Martin

[Thomas McEachryn]

How far is that wingspan???? I don`t think Woodside is wide enough to launch that bird. If pteradactyls(not sure of the spelling) were still around they would be diving out of the sky to take cover ! !!!

[pedro]