2ND QTR 2009 - RainierParaglidingClub

The Rainier
Paragliding Club
Newsletter—May
(Second Quarter)
2009
one can see the local paraglider launch site just
1.7 miles away and, with binoculars, you can
even make out the wind streamers. Cool onshore breezes keep things comfortable even
during the hottest parts of the day. Breakfast is
included and most rooms have kitchenettes
with microwave oven, refrigerator and hot
plate. A communal barbeque is located on the
pool deck. (Continued on next page.)
Promoting Paragliding Fun, Safety, and
Education
Costa Rica: Where Strangers
Can Become Friends
Looking down the ridge towards Jaco
Men are like Coolers.
Load them with beer and you can take them
anywhere.
In This Issue:

Looking to the headland south of Jaco beach.
Nancy and I decided to visit Costa Rica this
winter. Our goal was to fly and surf daily if
possible, and to hike-explore occasionally.
Nancy is a new surfer and I am a new P-3
pilot. We selected the coastal town of Jaco
(pronounced “Haco”), because of its reputation
for mild surf and its proximity to several
paraglider sites.
We stayed at Hotel Vista Pacifico, a small
Canadian-run hotel, located on a hilltop some
200 feet above the valley and less than a mile
from the town and beach. From the pool deck,







Costa Rica: Where strangers can
become friends - Pete
“Freedom’s breath” Chris King
Jibber Jabber
“Education, Thermals”
Summer fun? Right wing!
“Fort Flagler Hush Please!” Chris King
and Jim Harmon
SoCal Flying - Pete
“Annual Reserve Repack a Fort Flagler
First!”


Publication Dates: February. May, August,
November
We rented a little Suzuki 4x4 Jimmy, which
was expensive but essential for flying and
surfing. It served us well.
There are several flying sites within an hour’s
drive of Jaco but, in the end, all my flights
were at the Jaco site. On day one we checked
out the launch. With no local pilot to give me a
site briefing, I was reluctant to take the leap,
so we scouted only. The launch is at 860 feet,
on a ridge that climbs from the valley floor. It
is an easy 13-15 minute drive from the hotel
on a paved single-lane road that seems to have
no clear purpose or destination. The diurnal
on-shore breeze, so welcome at the hotel, was
not evident at launch, even though both
locations faced southwest. Instead, we found
thermal cycles, usually light and well spaced.
The LZ was any of several large pastures
immediately below or, if one were to venture
towards the beach, 2.5 miles away, a number
of open areas would serve as well.
and sea with daily trips to the beach and the
launch. We usually flew once a day but
multiple launches were certainly possible.
Flights ranged from less than 10 minutes to
close to an hour. On many days there was
significant development, usually behind
launch, but sometimes overhead. Cloud base
was usually 3,000 to 3,500 feet AGL. Some
days were cloud free.
Thermals were typically “punchy little
bullets”, according to Don, lifting along the
ridge. If one could stay with them enough to
get 300 - 400 feet over launch, they seemed to
“coalesce”, according to Don, making things
much easier. I was getting a good education.
Nancy was our driver. We were the only pilots
flying until the last couple of days of our visit.
By our third flying day, I was getting a bit
more comfortable with all the bumping around
up there. As usual, I was in and out of those
“bullets”, sometimes below launch, then
working my way back up to a couple hundred
over. This day, I finally hitched a good one
that took me to 1,500 feet. It was a very good
day for me since I launched first and landed
after Don, who had “lawn darted”, as he says.
That was the only time I can claim altitude on
Don. From then on, he was always the high
guy.
Pete and Don celebrating Don’s first Beach flight
On the second day, we were delighted to find a
new guest at the hotel, Don Herres, a BC pilot
from Nanaimo. He and his family were also on
a two-week Jaco holiday. Perfect! Don has
been flying for 15 years and proved to be a
great companion and coach for this mostly
Torrey Pines pilot with little thermal flying
experience.
We soon settled into a comfortable blend of air
Don at launch Pete in the air.
The next day Don launched first at 09:15. In
ten minutes, he was at 3,000 feet and on his
way to the beach. I did my usual bobbing
around below and above launch before finally
finding the “up” switch. At 2,000 feet my wing
got whacked (no collapse) enough to mellow
my confidence a bit, but it was still a great
flight. Nancy picked me up at the most distant
pasture and off we went to Clarita’s Beach Bar
where we celebrated Don’s flight with
margaritas.
Three days later, the cycles were very light.
Don finally caught one and worked his way to
3,500 feet . . . off to the beach again – Bye
Bye. An hour later, I was still on launch,
geared up and waiting for the next cycle (I am
not kidding. I didn’t dare get out of my gear
for fear of missing the next one and I was
NOT going to drive down). Finally, I got off
but with little hope of anything more than a
sled ride. To my surprise, there they were,
those nice little “bullets”. I was really
beginning to like those little guys. It took me
30 minutes but I eventually made it to 3,000
feet and headed for the beach, passing through
four more thermals along the way. I was over
Clarita’s with about 400 feet of altitude, toured
the beach a bit, and then made a dandy landing
right in front of the bar.
That was the last time I even came close to
making the beach (Don went three times) but
for me, that was the frosting. The cake was the
daily flying experience in those punchy little
thermals. For the two weeks we were in Jaco
(middle of March) the flying conditions were
good to great almost every day. We could have
flown much more if we wanted to. Your
results may vary.
If you want a bit more information, here are
some links:
More photos "http://picasaweb.google.com/Paradude.Surfdi
va/ParaglideCostaRica2009"#
Hotel Vista Pacifico "http://www.vistapacifico.com/pictures.html"
Jaco Surf Report "http://www.surfline.com/surf-report/playa-
jaco-costa-rica_5789/"
Association of Free Flight, Costa Rica
(Spanish) - "http://www.parapente-costarica.org"
YouTube video (not me) "http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZaiAP8f
qek"
Joe Waldon February 2009 flying at Brinnon-1
Photo by Jim Harmon
Question for the club:
What sources of insurance can one find
coverage for paragliding in the US and foreign
countries?
(Answers and ideas will be
published in the next newsletter.)
Who’s in the photo picture:
Steve Messman
What’s the website?
Fly above all.
Jibber-Jabber
Notes from wayward or vacationing club members:
These are all Unedited!
Sunday: It was blowing 17-18 when I arrived
at about 12:30. Kiters and landing pilots were
having a busy go of it, several being unceremoniously dragged across the LZ. I chose
to watch for a while, rather than being part of
the spectacle. In about an hour things calmed
down to a more manageable 10-15. It was
great for the rest of the time I was in the air,
until 3 PM, when I packed it in so I could
catch the bus. They were still flying nicely
when I departed.
Freedoms Breath
Chris King
A cold wet curtain washes the base of the
mountains today.
Their heads capped with winters torment peek
through and enjoy the radiance of the sun.
A lush dappled green dress will remain during
the short lived summer months
Covering the nakedness of her deeply
furrowed and ancient terrain
A dress whose cleavage is a mountain man’s
industrious clear-cut.
Later, during the warmth of spring, she is
adorned for a day at the park
Her parasol is blue with a pattern of passing
clouds.
A living necklace now nestles on her gentle
clear-cut slope
Colors of the rainbow nestle against her tender
skin and have been set to contrast her bustle of
green; a radiant gown
Now come to life like butterflies that escape
and return only after freedom’s breath dies
down.
*************************************
There is an art . . . to flying. The knack lies in
learning how to throw yourself at the ground
and miss.
On my own again, cause it's Tuesday, I launch
into mainly thermal lift & fly eventually to
over the top of the mountain at 1900 feet,
launch at 700 feet, LZ at 30 feet. An hour & a
half, and I got tired from the somewhat active
air
Then we had the social hour or so in the shade
of the oak tree. How could it get any better?
You could a been here, that’s how!
...we all yo-yoed up and down in the late
afternoon thermals then landing after a 1hr.
total flight. On my way back to Colima on Sat.
I stopped at Tapalpa and flew two sites there ...
we met a local that took us to a new site they
are developing that faces west and we ridge
soared there for another 45 min. ...learned that
I missed Kim and Kathy Smith by 1 day, they
were there with a group from Seattle that left
Sat. Back in Colima I had 2 good days. Mon. I
launched a little early and had to scratch for 20
min. until I caught a nice ride to 3800' over
launch and the valley was starting to fill with
nice little cotton balls so I flew out over the
city and just cruised around staying between
3000 and 4500 AGL. I am in Puerto Vallarta
now ... Yelapa before I return home on
Sunday. Pat called and said we had 4 inches of
snow at our house, what is that anyway??????
Editor’s note:
For a great video, set to music, of Tapalpa
please visit the following website, very slow to
load but worth it:
http://astocker.com/paragliding/movies/tapalp
a03/astocker-tapalpa.mov
Nancy and I were riding our tandem bicycle to
the Gliderport on Thursday, when Arliss
McIntyre called to tell us Mike was not feeling
well and would not be joining us. Mike, I hope
you are feeling better by the time you read this
report because I doubt reading this report will
make you feel better . . .
Wednesday: I arrived at about 12:30 to find
(and meet for the first time) Ken Sinclair, who
had just landed after his first flight. Conditions
were good but not great. I launched and
pushed my luck by going north to the Torrey
Pines golf course. Ken just made it back to
the Gliderport. I scratched along the bluff for a
while but after 15 minutes, I was on the beach
– again. Like Tuesday, conditions improved by
the time I climbed back up, where Ken and
Steve T. were waiting. Conditions were great
for the rest of the afternoon.
Thursday: You know things are going to be
good when you arrive at 12:30 to see eight or
nine hang gliders already set up, ready to go.
Steve and Ken were already in the air. It was a
perfect day, according to Steve, “almost epic”.
The lift band was wide and high, probably 300
feet over (just a guess). I know it was wide
because I was out over the Pacific, beyond the
surf line at about half-tide, before I started
coming down. You could fly as much and as
long as you wanted. Steve was still boating
around when I landed, followed by Ken. We
both had to get going. Steve called me later to
find out what happened to us – Sorry Steve.
The breeze responsible for the great flying
conditions became a quartering headwind for
the bike ride back to Carlsbad. Oh well, that
just made the beer taste GREAT, rather than
good.
5 of us went up, only to find snow at 1700 ft.
Diverted to Brinnon launch (east end of the
same ridge). 4 flew - Joe, Jim, Griz, Doug. I
drove down (Thanks, Wayne). All landed at
the city park. we should have landed at the
Geoduck, it was within easy glide. smooth,
light wind. warm weather. I had an aborted
launch, when I dropped my brake line. set up
again, only to have Doug tell my my lines
were crossed. Thanks, Doug! 2nd attempt was
successful. The beer at the geoduck tasted
better than usual, after a nice sunny flight in
February. We all toasted the beginning of the
flying season. Let's go!
God did it feel so very good to be high and at
home. Looking up at 2bear it is free of snow
and so very inviting. We'll hope the road will
clear quickly that we may get on with what
promises to be a high season.
It was a great day! Thank you everyone for
helping me with my first repack. It was fun to
get out with the guys after what seems to be an
endless winter. Kiting afterwards was a bonus!
I don't know about you guys, I'm getting really
excited now that the flying season is almost
upon us.
Now I gotta go back to the wild & wooley
north, where even the bears are still in
hibernation. But the DSC is working the
southeast side of the state pretty well, so
maybe we can go over there on a weekend
soon, while we wait for our own snow bound
sites to melt and start our most productive
season, which is spring.
When will it end?????!!!!!!!!!!! Now they are
saying snow again this week and weekend
down to about 1000 feet. DARN!! Anyway,
Friday is supposed to be a nice day and that
part of the weather forecast hasn't changed for
a long time. Have not checked wind directions,
but that might be a good day for some of our
lower hills--Brinnon? Coast?
Ebey? Keep an eye out.
I had to be in Mt. Vernon today..... finished at
2. So I hiked up Blanchard where the wind
was coming straight in on the west launch..
Rowdy air out front. I made about a dozen
passes, then bailed for the LZ, packed up and
hiked back to the car.
A report from Costa Rica . . .
Greetings from Jaco, on the central pacific
coast of Costa Rica. Nancy and I are here to
enjoy the warmth (actually hot), surf,
paraglide, and hike. We are in a great hotel
within sight of the local PG launch and the
surf beach. We have been visiting both daily. I
had my longest (30-minutes) and highest (600´
over) flight today at this local site. For a guy
with mostly ridge lift experience, this bumpy
little thermic site has been exciting. I´m
looking forward to more.
and the north wind was strong enough &
steady, but no where near blown out. Dave
Norwood took first flight, did some soaring,
butg never high enough to go anywhere. I took
second for a nice thermic flight of 45 min or
so, and got high enough, into obvious smooth
cloud suck (cummies were everywhere) bu;t
didn't want to go where it was taking me
(yakima firing range). DAve took third, &
flew about 14 or 15 miles, skirting the firing
range, and south to selah.
Gotta stay one more day to fly thursday, as
Dave says better even than today, & some
pilots of note are thinking of showing up.
*************************************
Q: What’s the best way to see flying saucers?
... A: Pinch the waitress.
Today I had my personal best, 3000´(2,100´
over launch) and a flight to the beach (2.5
miles), where we (a Canadian pilot and I)
landed for some margaritas.
*************************************
I looked at the snow accumulations on NOAA,
you're right, there's considerably more snow
than in feb when we barely made it up.
Forcasts changed from mostly to partly sunny.
I'm hankerin for air time, but getting real about
it.
Why do flocks of birds fly in a circle over
the same place over and over again?
- question from Clem
Snow is still in the road on both Brinnon and
2bear, though much higher than I expected. I
was able to drive my little toyota station
wagon to within about half a mile of the
Brinnon launch. Some of the sonw I
encountered was fresh, though not deep.
Vulture ridge is completely open, though it
wasn't strong enough, nor thermic enough for a
lazy Mike to contemplate launching it. No
eagles or vultures. It will need a day when the
south wind is steady & persistent, and the
lapse rate is boomin'.
Ahhhh! Baldy worked today pretty well. Only
two of us there, so we flew one at a time. A
couple of locals warned against high winds,
Education:
From the National Aerospace Association.
Frigate birds flying a spiral pattern within a thermal
The behavior you speak of is due to an effect
called thermals. Thermals are updrafts of
warm air that rise from the ground into the
sky. By flying a spiraling circular path within
these columns of rising air, birds are able to
"ride" the air currents and climb to higher
altitudes while expending very little energy in
the process. Solitary birds like eagles and
hawks often take advantage of thermals to
extend their flight time as they search for food.
Social birds that fly in large flocks also use
thermals to gain altitude and extend their range
during migration. The sight of dozens or
hundreds of birds riding a thermal has been
said to resemble the water boiling in a kettle,
so the terms kettle or boil are sometimes used
as a nickname for a flock of birds circling in a
thermal updraft. The benefits of thermals are
not limited to the animal world either as glider
pilots often take advantage of them to gain
altitude as well.
Thermals form as a result of uneven heating of
the air near the ground that is often due to
difference in terrain or the presence of
buildings. Thermals are particularly common
near hills, for example, since the Sun heats one
side of the hill while the other is shadowed. As
the sunny side of the terrain absorbs the Sun's
heat, the air above it is warmed while the air
above the shadowed terrain remains cooler.
Buildings are also good at absorbing heat and
can create similar effects. These differences in
temperature create convective currents that
cause the air to begin circulating.
Warmer air is lower in density and starts to
rise, creating the updrafts that thermals are
known for. Air is colder at higher altitudes,
however, so this rising mass of air is gradually
cooled until it can rise no further. This cooled
air then descends back to the ground and falls
towards the cooler terrain that has been
shadowed from the warmth of sunlight. As
additional air is pulled over the warmer terrain
to be heated and rise, the process repeats and
keeps the convective circulation going. This
process is similar to the convective air currents
that create and sustain a hurricane.
Formation of convective air currents that create
thermals
Thermals are most often found during the
morning and early afternoon. These air
currents begin to form in the early morning as
the Sun rises and starts to heat the cool night
air. The thermal air currents intensify as the
Sun moves higher in the sky and the heating
strengthens. As the Sun begins to descend
during late afternoon and evening, the
convective currents lose their strength and
thermals break down.
Formation of convective air currents that create
thermals
There are two main types of thermals that form
in similar ways but vary in structure. The
columnar type of thermal forms at the ground
and consists of a continuous column of rising
air that swirls upward into the sky. An
observer on the ground may be able to spot
this type of thermal if it pulls debris like dust
or leaves upward, and it is often visible as a
dust devil. Another common method to spot
the location of a thermal plume is to observe
clouds. The cooling air inside a rising thermal
column sometimes causes water vapor within
the air mass to condense into a cumulous
cloud. A cumulous cloud that is still growing
and in the process of forming is a good
indication that a thermal is present.
or a large ocean wave. If the wind is strong
enough, the deflected air may rise tens or even
hundreds of feet in altitude.
Air deflected by an obstacle in slope soaring
Effect of types of terrain and clouds on thermal
strength
A second type of thermal is referred to as a
bubble or vortex-ring thermal. This variety of
thermal also forms at the ground but
eventually separates to form an independent,
self-contained bubble of rising warm air. The
bubble grows as it rises into the sky because of
decreasing atmospheric pressure, and it will
eventually break apart once the pressure
differential becomes too great. This type of
thermal is generally difficult to spot once it
separates from the ground, but the formation
of a new columnar thermal beneath it may be
indicative that a ring-vortex is also present.
In addition to thermals, a related type of
atmospheric phenomenon is called slope
soaring or ridge soaring. As winds approach
the side of an obstacle like a hill or large
building, the air is deflected upward. A bird or
glider flying within this deflected air flow will
also be carried upward to a higher altitude with
very little effort. These rising winds can be
created by a variety of obstacles including hills
and cliffs, groups of buildings, groves of trees,
Birds like pelicans often take advantage of
slope soaring by flying directly towards a cliff
or building and allowing the deflected air flow
to carry them over the top of the obstacle,
rising to a higher altitude in the process.
Otherwise, it is generally more common to see
smaller, low-altitude birds engaging in slope
soaring. While thermals often rise thousands
of feet above the ground and are attractive to
large soaring birds, slope soaring is generally
limited to much lower altitudes where these
large birds seldom fly.
Sailplane pilots and remote control glider
flyers can also take advantage of slope soaring
to remain airborne for extended lengths of
time. These pilots usually do so by flying back
and forth over the upwind side of the ridge,
much like a surfer riding a wave. The pilot
must be careful to pull out of the air flow at
the correct time, however, or the downdraft on
the other side of the object can pull the glider
down in altitude as well.
A similar type of soaring on a larger scale is
referred to as mountain wave soaring. A
mountain wave is a unique phenomenon that
occurs when a strong wind blows
perpendicular to mountains. This wind flows
over the top of the mountain or ridge and
down the opposite side before impacting the
ground or a layer of air near the ground. This
impact causes the air to deflect back upwards
by thousands or tens of thousands of feet. The
deflected air then impacts against another layer
of air like the boundary between the
troposphere and stratosphere that bounces the
deflected air back towards the ground. This
cycle of upward and downward motion creates
a repeating wave that can occur several times
downwind of the mountain.
who has successfully discovered a thermal to
soon find him or herself sharing the rising air
currents with a variety of birds that have come
along to enjoy the beneficial updrafts as well.
Numerous books have been written about
soaring flight and how to take advantage of
thermal and slope winds for improved flight.
One of the best authors in this field is Derek
Piggott, and one of his most popular works is
Gliding: A Handbook on Soaring Flight.
Another good source is the Federal Aviation
Administration's Glider Flying Handbook.
- answer by Jeff Scott, 4 December 2005
************************************
Effect of types of terrain and clouds on
thermal strength
Mountain wave soaring
The strong updrafts created by mountain
waves can pull a bird or sailplane upward at
very high rates, and peak altitudes of 35,000 ft
(11,000 m) are not uncommon. Like thermals,
a good indication of the presence of mountain
waves can be seen in cloud formations. As the
air blows over the mountain peak, water vapor
within the air may condense to form a
lenticular cloud. Additional lenticular clouds
may also form downstream as each peak of the
wave bounces off the high-altitude air layer.
Thermals are widely used by birds and humans
alike because they make it possible to reach
much higher altitudes than could be reached
otherwise. One of the best methods we have
yet developed to identify thermals is simply to
watch the birds and observe when they begin
flying in these spiraling, circular patterns.
Indeed, it is also interesting to note that birds
often do likewise. It is not unusual for a pilot
Griz, Wayne and Doug test winds and observe Binnon-1
in preparation for launch. February 2009 flights!
Photo by Jim Harmon
*******************************
A farmer in Chimacum was milking his cow
one day. He was just starting to get a good
rhythm going when a bug flew into the barn
and started circling his head. Suddenly, the
bug flew into the cow's ear. The farmer
didn't think much about it, until the bug
squirted out into his bucket. It went in one
ear and out the udder.
********************************
Summer fun? Right Wing!
With the beginning of the flying season
coming up so does the desire sometimes to
look for another wing. If you are
inexperienced and looking for new or used
wing it is always a good idea to go through a
reputable dealer. If you decide to not use a
dealer there are other sources available to
research on the internet and other Paragliding
forums. If you’re looking for a used wing,
here are some wings to avoid according to the
opinions of pilots from the Paragliding Forum.
Many of the issues are not isolated to the wing.
Many problems included fabric not
maintaining porosity and lines that have a
tendency to stretch. Have fun but be careful
and do your due diligence. If you are not
familiar with what to look for, get assistance!
(Editor’s note - This discussion went on for about 5
pages. Very informative as pilots batted back and forth
in support of and in agreement too the wings listed.
http://www.paraglidingforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=216
96 )
Freex Spark, Freex Spark Pro, Freex Fibre,
Firebird Genisis, Firebird Ninja, Firebird Cult
Swing Nimbus, Nova Zyon, Nova Zenon
Apco Tigra, Edel Monster, Edel Energy
Pro Design, Compct, Mad Max, Other Pro
Design, Ozone Proton. Beware of older comp
wings and the are a real spin monsters.
Apco Keara, Edel Rainbow Pronto, Apco
Simba(spinba), Flight design S2VT, Apco
Keara, Edel Promise, Airwave Sport 1, Harley
Scirocco, Harley Ultima, Swing Prisma, Nova
Vertex, Freex Flair, Apco Bagheera, Trekking
Dynasty, Apco Tetra, Mac Intox.
A recent online poll of 2758 American Pilots
showed the following brand ownership of
wings. No data available for European pilots.
What make of glider do you fly?
Ozone
10.1%
[ 279 ]
Gradient
9.8%
[ 271 ]
GIN
9.8%
[ 270 ]
NOVA
9.2%
[ 253 ]
Advance
7.4%
Airwave
6.2%
Swing
4.6%
UP
4.5%
Niviuk
4.4%
Sky
3.8%
Skywalk
3.3%
AXIS
3.1%
MacPara
3.1%
Other (please post) 3.0%
SOL
2.7%
APCO
2.4%
Pro Design
2.0%
WindTech
1.6%
U-Turn
1.4%
Firebird
1.3%
Independence 1.1%
Paratech
0.9%
EDEL
0.6%
Aerodyne
0.6%
Wings of Chge 0.6%
Aircross
0.5%
Icaro
0.5%
FreeX
0.4%
Aeros
0.4%
Dudek
0.3%
Nervures
0.3%
[ 203 ]
[ 171 ]
[ 126 ]
[ 124 ]
[ 122 ]
[ 105 ]
[ 91 ]
[ 85 ]
[ 85 ]
[ 83 ]
[ 75 ]
[ 67 ]
[ 56 ]
[ 43 ]
[ 38 ]
[ 36 ]
[ 30 ]
[ 26 ]
[ 17 ]
[ 16 ]
[ 16 ]
[ 15 ]
[ 14 ]
[ 12 ]
[ 11 ]
[9]
[9]
Griz flying his Alula RC glider. It’s great to have
advanced warnings of the air we’re going into. Brinn-1
February 2009
Photo by Jim Harmon
Fort Flagler, Hush Please!
General Announcement.
It is exciting to have spent the last two years
working on opening up another site in the
Washington State Parks System. It has been a
long drawn out process that keeps us
wondering when it will ever be approved. In
everyone’s excitement some of the news is
beginning to reach other pilots across the state
and raising the possibilities of approaching the
state for opening other sites in their areas.
A club wide request is being made at this time
to keep things hush until we can get our site
approved. It isn’t to keep it a secret or away
from other “outsiders’ but instead a means to
protect the actions we have taken so far.
Paragliding is a new sport to the parks system.
Some uncertainty exists with the haunting
sometimes reckless shadow of the sports
beginnings in the early 70’s with pilots
poaching sites, ram shackled equipment and
flying failures. With the exception of an
occasional rouge pilots much of the
disrespectful exudations of pilots has gone by
the way side. We hope that our experiences of
the past can continue to be a good example of
how long these types of actions can affect the
far future.
well as the many other pilots who have helped
in testimony, work, letters and support to get
this as far as we have.
Here’s to the hope of a welcome Spring flight
off the bluffs of Fort Flagler! Yahoo!!!!
SoCal Flyin'
by David ‘Griz’ Griswald
We weren't expecting much in the way
of flying as we loaded onto the plane at 8:05
am headed for San Diego. The forecast called
for cold and wet with the Santa Anna winds
blowing for most of our 7 day stay. Peter
Hardy informed us that Torrey Pines had not
been soarable in over 18 days, a long dry spell
for a site that has a reputation of constant year
round flying. We knew before going that
January was the worst month for flying and
vowed to make the best of whatever Mother
Nature sent our way.
So, there we were rejuvenating
ourselves in a "hole in the wall" taco bar in
Old Town after our airport shuffle, when a
message came over the wire from Peter saying,
"Torrey is ON. Meet you there."
Our request as a club is that the message to be
shared would be, “help us preserve the site by
waiting for our success to be announced.” It
would also be to help us preserve the site by
“not approaching the parks to open up other
areas right away.”
What we will walk away with is success in our
endeavor to fly in the State Parks as well as
having helped the State Parks form new policy
concerning new sports being introduced to the
recreation of our Public Playgrounds! What a
great achievement!
A big thank you goes out to Chris and Jim as
Looks like a Torrey Pines Thing
Is this Kim??
Surprised and caught off guard, we choked
down our burritos and sprang into action.
Within an hour I had the wing overhead
waiting for the wind to pick up. Peter had
come in for a landing just as we arrived and
shortly before the wind veered N and died. I
finally got my joy about an hour later with a
30 minute flight that had me scratching to get
back on top. Nice! The day ended in good
company with beers all around looking for
"green flash" at sunset from our beach chairs
overlooking the Pacific surf.
After spending a couple of days with
my Mother visiting old haunts around Joshua
Tree, the weather report was looking good for
Elsinore. We were eager to find warmer
temperatures (Tent camping in the high desert
was COLD!!) so off we went to meet up with
Wayne and Barb in the LZ. The wind strength
had me a little nervous not having kited for
several months, let alone launching in high
winds. I tried to sound as convincing as
possible when "Everyday" Mike asked how
my launch skills were. Whatever I said must
have worked because in no time Wayne, Barb,
Kim, Mike, Gene and I were heading for the
top. All launches where blown out except for
the Pit, which had Mike and Gene off in no
time. Wayne generously allowed me to go
next. Launch was only possible during lulls
between gusts and I was hesitant due to my
lack of practice. I quickly found myself
skidding across launch before wrestling the
wing under control. My third attempt had me
off a little more gracefully. Lift was abundant
with a few imbedded thermals but I couldn't
chase them far for fear of getting blown back.
The air was chilly, active and my fingers were
getting numb in my thin gloves, so off I
headed to the LZ. A gentle spot landing with
no one to see (isn't that the way?) had me in
for a 40 min flight. The rest of the crew soon
joined me and we all gathered for a beer under
the oak tree before retiring for the day.
The forecast was looking rather poor
for most places but Torrey had been working
while we were away and offered a glimmer of
hope, so off we fled to meet up with Peter and
Nancy. The increased temperatures were a
welcome relief to our frozen bones which
made waiting around for the winds to pick up
seem worth it. They never did and I was
unable to fly Torrey again this trip, but we
gave it a valiant effort.
Elsinore was looking good again the
next day (or was that the day after...or maybe
the day after that......Ah, who knows, we're on
vacation!). Steve M and Mike M were on there
way down from the Ventura area. Peter,
Nancy, Kim, and I headed up to meet Wayne
and Barb in the LZ with other local pilots.
Steve T, who was also in the area, was not able
to make the trip.
The Gang in the LZ at Elsinore
Conditions were very similar to the earlier
flight but warmer. Mike, Steve and Wayne had
arrived early and were already in the air when
we arrived on launch. I was the only one of
our group before launch blew-out shortly
afterwords, keeping Peter and a few Bay Area
pilots land bound until 4pm. For half my flight
I played along the ridge taking a turn or two in
the thermals. This was a mistake. Later, I
found the lift to be much better way out in
front, almost over the LZ. Here I could play in
the thermals much longer and get higher.
Everyday Mike made a brilliant low save
working it for a good 45 min. Steve M. did the
first ever top landing in a new area near the Pit
launch. Well done!At about 2.5 hrs into the
flight Wayne flew in close for a little chat. I
mentioned that I was having so much fun that I
didn't want to come down. Wayne said that he
too was having fun but was thinking of landing
if only there was beer in the LZ. Sure enough,
he was right. Everyone with the cars was still
up on launch which made it a "dry" LZ. Boy, I
sure have a lot to learn from that ol' Wayne.
Wayne, Chris, Joe, Steve and Paul
Photo by John Erickson
Fort Flagler Repack!
By Chris King
Wayne at Elsinore
Both Wayne and I shared our longest flights,
2:38 min for myself and 3hrs for Wayne. Mike
M and Steve M both had good long flights as
well. I was bummed that Peter was unable to
find a launch window and was not able to
share the air with us. The beer soon arrived
and we all gathered around the ol' oak tree,
again, before heading our separate ways.
Saturday Feb 28th sounds like a very cold time
of the year unless you are inside a cozy, early
1900’s theater at Fort Flagler. The smell of
the old building was over a century’s
accumulation of built-in, familiar comforts, the
combined aromas of popcorn, sugared treats,
crowded bodies, ancient brands of floor care
products and cleaners, old paint and the well
seasoned wood of the early construction.
Before we knew it, we were being
shuffled through the TSA lines and onto the
jetliner heading back home to the dreary cold
and wet. We had a great time galloping across
the California countryside meeting up with old
friends and making new. Thanks to all for the
good memories. And, special thanks to Peter
and Nancy for their hospitality and making us
feel at home, and to Wayne and Barb for
showing us around their "southern backyard".
************************************
Doug, Joe, Ray, Paul, Chris, Wayne, Jim and Steve
Photo from the stage. Photo by John Erickson
The early morning’s filtered light trickled
through the slightly murky pains of glass and
filled the floor with accents of light.
The floor of the building as well as any of the
old walking places cracked with the load of
our modern day traffic, reminding us to take
care and respect the old aged.
With the feeling of youth in the air members
of the Rainier paragliding club converged and
enjoyed a morning to repack their emergency
parachutes. Some deployed them, others just
shook them out of their winters sleep,
reawakening them with the breath of powerful
fans, then secreted them away again where
easy access could be had but definitely not
hoped for.
Afterwards a tour of the launch sites for future
flying at Fort Flagler.
Chris, Wayne, Paul, Steve, and Ken who joined us
later and we think Joe meandering.
Photo by John Erickson
Enjoy the pictures!
Those who attended the repack included Jim
Harmon, Steve Messman, Doug Paeth, Chris
King, Ken Sinclair, Joe Waldon, Ray Van
Cleave, Wayne Maxwell, John Erickson,
Kathryn Thomas, and Paul Kunzl.
Ray and Paul
Photo by John Erickson
Steve and Wayne
Photo by John Erickson
Spring Fling!
By: Chris King
Members of the Rainier Paragliding Club
scored a huge victory this year at the Spring
Fling campout and flying event at Fort Ebey
State Park this last weekend of April 2009.
Friday evening the winds exploded into the
west bluff with a tempting tenacity. Caught
between just a bit to strong and not quite soft
enough, experienced pilots launched while the
more careful observed and learned.
The last two years the winds and the weather
have not always been favorable for enduring
flights. However, this year, it was warm, no
snow and double duty of flying time granted
every pilots wish for flying. Not only was
Friday Evening full of flight time but Saturday
morning it continued. Chris sounded the
wake-up call just barely after daybreak. Three
pilots including himself were able to get
several flights in from the west facing bluffs.
about 3 hours later it died down slightly and
switched to a South Westerly wind and off we
flew on the South facing bluffs for an other 3
hours of flying time.
Pilots retreated only to rest, take a quick potty
break, slam a granola bar, and take off again.
Breakfast became a point of hearsay and what
was considered the grinding sound of distant
engines were the knurling antagonistic
reminders that our stomachs needed more
food.
Griz and Kim (planners and hosts), Mike,
Chris and his son Gavin, Wayne and his son
Wade, Joe, Steve and Carol, attended the camp
out. They were rewarded with lots of goodies,
great company, exclusive training from local
pilots and basked in the warmth of the sun like
stranded seals. Other activities included
hiking, eating, whale watching, (yes there was
a whale) eating, sitting by the fire to BS and
eat. Followed by sleep, eating ... you get the
picture.
Gavin enjoyed playing with two other scout
troops that were camping as well as exploring
the cracks, dark secret crevasses, and bushy
hiding places of the gun emplacements. While
pilots soared past the gaps and mile long and
longer stretches of the Fort Ebey bluffs.
Salmon, one of the most fantastic steaks ever
devised by a chef, potato salad, overstuffed
fruit jello, salads and a lot more soothed our
evening desires to dine and warm
conversations slowly turned into bed times,
light guitar music and only the slight rustling
sound of the ocean breezes weaving ever so
carefully thought the foliage, whispered a well
deserved and easily accepted lullaby.
What a fantastic outing!!! If you didn’t make
it you missed a wonderful outing. Enjoy the
pictures.
One of Chris’s first flights since May. South Bluffs
Photo by Mike McIntire
I was told, today that the key is to
interrupt the airflow over the wing.
Landing in these conditions take some
small but steep turns and when you are
just about to land work your brakes
back and forth to get down. That’s what
I was told, that’s what I did, and it
worked great!
Chris King
Griz, Wade, Wayne, Chris on the ground. South bluffs
Photo by Mike McIntire
Steve, getting ready to launch. West Bluffs
Photo by Chris King
Griz, Wayne and Wade on the ground. South bluffs
Photo by Mike McIntire
Hang on Steve!
Photo By Chris King
Griz, West bluffs
Photo by Chris King
Tired Boys. Mike and Gavin.
Photo by Chris King
Griz, Mike and Steve in his flying gear. Friday evening,
west bluffs.
Photo by Chris King
Griz and Mike down. Trying to launch in a slightly
cross wind for the south launch. Flying was done.
Photo by Chris King
Mike, Steve, Canadian pilot and his Dog, Griz. Dead
winds live conversation.
Photo by Chris King
Steve, Griz and a kiting stranger. Filled in sky and
switching winds closed the flying opportunities for the
rest of the day.
“If all I did was come here for tonight
(Friday) the advice and help I got for
these conditions was well worth the trip.
I have been helped a lot!”
Steve Messman
Dad! Next time you carry it! Gavin.
Photo by Chris King