Flytec Race and Rally - Day 5

Today a 109km task north to Williston Airport was called. It was the same task that was cancelled on Monday. The winds were out of the South East and mostly on course. A massive gaggle formed just downwind of launch. It looked like a huge tornado of gliders 1000 feet tall. I flew in it for a bit, but it was way to hectic for me. Filippo, who won the day, described the flying in the gaggle by saying in his elegant Italian accent "Sometimes we try to help each other, sometimes we try to kill each other!" Traffic usually doesn’t bother me, but it was too distracting to constantly dodge gliders and focus on my climbing. I left it low and headed out on course. It was a gamble but I figured I’d climb better on my own than in the gaggle. I got the T2C 154 (sail square feet) instead of the 144 and it was noticeable in the climb. It has an awesome sink rate and is by far the best climbing glider I’ve ever flown.

The Staging Cue

Dragonfly Fly By

OB, Dustin, and Nicole

Practicing for the Gaggle

I found a good thermal over an unfinished subdivision over the town of Mascotte. Soon a few others joined and we got up to 3500 feet. The main gaggle went to the North. A secondary gaggle formed and we worked our way over the Florida Turn Pike. I found myself low over a rest station, but got up over a grass runway on the west side of the Turn Pike. From there I scratched with a few others at about 2000’ feet to another half developed subdivision until we all hit a good climb up to 3500’.

Thermalling Over Quest

There was a forest fire left of course and I caught a glimpse of the huge gaggle just north of it. Below me was a densely forested area without many landing options. I was high enough to make it to the other side so I went on glide towards the gaggle. I found a good climb about half way there and drifted in the thermal towards the smoke. There were only two other gliders with me and we worked together topping out at over 4800’ feet. One guy went early and I never saw him again. I went second confident that I could clear another forested area and find good lift. The last guy stayed.

The best glide to goal I was 30 to 1, but I found nothing but smooth air until I was low, about 20K short of goal. Northwestern Florida is thoroughbred horse country; high dollar horse farms populated the land below. I was warned that spooking million-dollar race horses while landing would not go over well with the wealthy owners. I found a rough lot with a few sporadic trees, but open enough to land in. I boxed the field 3 times searching for a bubble, but couldn’t find anything. I touched down 21K short of goal. It was an 88k flight lasting about 3.5 hours.

Most of the people that made it goal were in the huge gaggle. The strategy when it’s light here is obviously to stay with the group, but I like being on my own. It’s how I fly in Colorado and eventually it left me on the ground. It’s funny how much this sport is like road cycling with the gaggle in place of the peloton and people going on glide instead of making breaks always.

My Landing Field

Erin picked me up and we drove the last 20K to Williston. Williston is small town America. The group reunited at the Ice Cream shop for GPS downloads then we all stayed at the Williston Motor Inn.

Dinner at the Ice Cream Shop

The Williston Motor Inn

Flytec Race and Rally - Day 4

The wind this morning had swung around to the north and was a little lighter. A 109km task to the south was called to Avon airport. It would be a challenging day with light lift and a slight crosswind enroute. I take usually forever to get my gear set up and wanted to work on getting faster. I had my glider staged before the meeting in hopes of getting off early.

My Ride Waiting Under the Trees

Terry Taking Off in His Maul

(300 Foot Ground Roll)

When I rocked forward in the cart to tow, Steve noticed my pitch adjuster line was frayed (don’t worry, it’s not structural). I couldn't see it before because it was hidden behind the back plate. Zippy had a look too and thought it would last a few more flights. I was at the front of the line and decided to take a tow.

The tow was fine and I pinned off in smooth air. After searching upwind of Quest for a while I found a good thermal and soon a big gaggle formed. It was fun flying with everyone and searching for cores. I was about the middle of the gaggle most of the time.

Having Fun

You Can See Quest in my Glasses

Quest From Above

Looks Like a Light Day

Hanging Out in the Start Circle

After a few climbs it was obvious it was going to be a challenging day, but I wasn't having any trouble staying up either. My left shoulder was bothering me a little and I thought my pitch angle was slowly changing. I could have been my imagination, but if it wasn't I still had time to land, fix it, and get back up before the launch window closed.

Love These Colors

The Course Line

I decided to land and fix it. There were a few people below me struggling, but I found good lift over the pond. I actually had to work to get down. As I rocked upright I got my foot caught in the zipper pull line. I was coming down fast and would need it soon. I struggled and eventually it released. I didn't know it at the time, but when it released it was because the zipper blew out.

Deciding to Land

On the ground I rallied with Jamie’s help to get some replacement pitch adjuster line. I had the problem fixed in time to tow up before launch closed at 2:30. At the top of the second tow I could see a huge gaggle to the south. It would take a thermal or two, but I was confident I could catch them.

Broken

Fixed

When I pinned off I pulled the zipper chord and realized the slider was off the track. My zipper was blown and my day was over. I could probably gain a few points by heading out on course, but I would hold up Erin our driver from chasing everyone and have to break down my glider. I decided to hang out over quest and work on my thermalling skills.

After about an hour boating around with another glider I came down. On the ground I learned the other pilot was 82 years old! I hope I’m flying at that age. Jim texted me that he was down and Paul let me take his truck to get him. We had a subway then waited at Quest for everyone to finish. I spent the afternoon fixing the harness zipper by working the slider back on the tracks and safety wiring it shut. It’ll be a little harder to get out of, but I’ll just kick my feet out sooner.

Zipper Fixed

As the sun was setting I took a test flight to make sure it worked. The air was buttery smooth. I put the trials of the day behind me and enjoyed the sunset from 2000 feet. The T2C continues to impress with the shear amount of energy it retains. I set up a base leg over the pond and had to do two 90-degree turns to not overshoot my spot. I still ended up about half a football field too long.

Sunset Tandem Flight Below Me

Flytec Race and Rally - Day 3

I was unsure about whether I would be able to fly today because of my road rash. My hip was beaming with pain and my elbow was super sore. My dressings were soaked with bloody puss, but they matched the dried bloodstains on the Groveland Motel’s sheets. Just kidding! The Groveland Motel is perfect for the price.

When we got to Quest I hooked up my harness and went for a test flight. I had only flown once at Quest back in 2006 for my first tandem aerotow flight. Trevor took me up to 4000 feet and I PIO’ed (pilot induced oscillation) a bit, but I think it was just not being used to the glider. Above 2000 feet the air was smooth as glass and the morning light basked the world below in a warm glow. My hip was sore, but I decided flying wouldn’t be a problem. I practiced rocking up right and then took in the morning.

Test Flying After the Bike Crash

Terry Reynolds Flew in his Maul for the Day

The T2C felt perfect. I slowly drifted down to 2000 feet and hit a nice thermal over the pond with an Osprey. We flew together for about 10 minutes then I had to land to go to the pilot meeting. I didn’t want to, the air was buoyant, but gentle.

At the meeting a task to Greystone Airport was called, about 80km to the north. My glider was already in the launch line, but when I got out to launch the wind was cranking again. I decided to wait a bit to see if it lightened up. It didn’t and eventually the launch closed with about half the pilots in the air. You could see the wind was strong aloft and eventually gliders started raining down as people landed for a re-light. Even though the task wasn’t canceled, the pilots in the air wouldn’t get many points because so many people didn’t launch. A lengthy discussion ensued about whether we should stay at Quest or drive to the north to continue the rally. Eventually it was decided to stay at Quest and hope for the flying weather to improve.

Landing in the Rotor

Should We Stay or Should We Go Discussion

Part II

Enjoying the Shade

I walked my glider over to the trees and tied it down in the safety of shade and calm air. A bunch of us headed into town for lunch then spent the afternoon hanging out at Quest. I really wanted to jump in the pond, but feared I would get an exotic infection with the amount of road rash from my crash. I went for a canoe instead and searched for the local 4-foot gator that lives in the pond.

Searching for the Alligator

Here's One I Saw the First Day

All I Saw Were Lilly's

Rope Swing

Sunset

Moon Rise

Flytec Race and Rally - Day 2

Day 2 started at Quest Hang Gliding Park. A downwind 63km task was called to an airport named Leeward. I rigged and readied to go, but the winds were cranking. There was some doubt about whether or not we would end up flying. After watching a few tugs go I decided that no matter what I was not going to fly. I was worried about towing the new glider in such strong winds. Tall trees surround quest and getting through the rotor was my concern. My only decision was to break down so I wouldn’t hold up Erin (our driver), or to stay set up in the event the task was canceled. The day ended up being canceled so I left my glider set up.

You Can See the Wind in the Clouds

Jonny and Carl Pondering the Day

Dragonfly Fun

Davis Launching

Jim and I got a room at a local Motel called the Groveland Motel, which was a few stars below where we had been staying, but more budget friendly. I decided to use my sleeping bag instead of worn and unwashed comforter.

The Groveland Motel

After we got checked I set up the Ritchie Breakaway for a ride. Florida’s roads are not a friendly place to cycle with no shoulders and ignorant drivers. About two miles into the ride we hit road construction. The ridge between the new pavement and old was about 3 inches tall, but deceptively hidden under the temporary paint lines. I knew there was a ridge, but didn’t anticipate how tall it was. I went down on the rough graded asphalt at about 25mph. It was ugly. I got a massive 8” diameter road rash on my hip, a 6” one on my forearm, and little bits and pieces on my hand, shin, angle, and palm.

The Breakaway Cross

Man Down

Pressing On with Jim on the Rail Trail

The Closest Thing to an Alligator we Could Find

I irrigated it with water and got some of the tiny rocks out, but it was dirty. I couldn’t believe I fell on such a small pavement ridge, but on the way back Jim almost crashed in the same spot. The paint lines did a good job of hiding it. I tried to be professional about the road rash and keep on going. Jim and I had a nice ride along an abandoned railroad bed that was converted to a bike trail. There were tortoises, wild turkeys, but we couldn’t find any alligators. I screamed so loud cleaning my wounds with hydrogen peroxide that I lost my voice.

Post Ride Items - Ouch!

Flytec Race and Rally - Day 1

I spent the morning setting up Jeff's harness for XC flight - packing the glider bags, water bladder, and radio. The task was a 67km straight line along the western shore of Lake Okeechobee to Okeechobee Airport. It was downwind in strong southwest surface winds from an approaching cold front.

Setting Up Jeff's Harness

The Task

I set up at the back of the launch line and realized that when I disconnected my harness to move the glider I didn't screw my quick links closed. They fell off somewhere in the field. What a stupid mistake! I was the victim of my own stupidity. Eventually I found one, but ended having to drive to town to buy the other one. I made it back in time to tow at the last start clock. The leaders had already reached goal by the time I got airborne.

Token Glider Shot

Quick Links

I broke two weak links getting off the field, but the third tow was a charm. At 2:30 I was the last competitor off the ground. The tow pilot gave me "nudge" in the right direction, towing me to the upwind edge of the start circle. I pinned off above cloud base and got the hell out of there. The cloud development was thick, but it looked sunny to the northwest. The course line went northeast, but I headed northwest for the sun.

Florida flying is different from out west, I picked up a few tips yesterday. If the grassy field below you has a boat going through it, it's a swamp not a field, don't land there. If there is only one cow in a field, its not a cow, its a bull - don't land there. Lastly, alligators can run really fast for short periods of time, but only in a straight line. When they chase you, zig zag to avoid them. Jeff Shapiro has a close encounter today - Here. My plan was avoid all of the above by not to passing up any lift even it was zero sink and try to read the clouds, not the ground. If I focus on the sky I tend to stay up. When I focus on the ground I tend to find myself there.

Focus on the Clouds

For the first half of the flight I continued northwest finding reliable lift under the darker clouds. I managed to maintain between 2000 and 3800 feet. It was a good thing too because there was a no-mans land of inaccessible swamp below me and my radio wasn't working. The T2C was a pleasure to fly. It was light and responsive to my turn inputs in thermals. The glide speed between thermals was ridiculous. I saw over 100kph ground speed on my GPS with the bar just slightly pushed in (I did have a smoking tailwind). My tune is fairly conservative with the pitch pressure being just enough to let you know your going fast, but not enough to induce fatigue. I can't believe what I've been missing all these years.

The T2C Makes Me Smile

I sawtoothed my way north jumping from cloudstreet to cloudstreet until I looked at the map page on the GPS. I was 17km off course to the left. What the hell was I doing! Lake Okeechobee is the biggest body of water in Florida and I was so far west I hadn't seen it yet! Maintaining between 2000 and 3000 feet I turned northeast under the next cloudstreet, goal was 35km away. If I could follow the lift lines my track would take me north of goal, meaning I would actually overshoot it. I made good time but as I got closer the clouds got farther apart and I found myself down to about 1000 feet with only 10km to go. I had a good save over the Kissimmee River, but I couldn't stay with it above 1800 feet. In hind sight the thermals were ripping down wind and I underestimated how fast they were drifting. At 5k out I was down to 1000' again working an area of zero sink. I could see Okeechobee Airport just north of town. A turkey vulture I had been flying with was guiding the way, but I couldn't bring myself to trust him completely - they can be cheeky at times! All I had to do was maintain and drift into goal. My mental anguish was becoming unbearable.

Then, just as I drifted across a set of train tracks, I hit sink. I pulled on full VG, but was too low to angle out of it. I wasn't going to make it to goal, it was time to start setting up my landing. There was a neighborhood on the other side of the tracks with roads that would be easy for retrieve. It also allowed an opportunity to dive bomb a passing train. The engineer and I made eye contact and I leveled off on downwind. I had selected a perfect grassy field next to the road. As I eased out my VG I hit a solid bubble of lift. In an act of horrible decision making I turned and tried to hook it. It didn't work and I ended up being blown past the field into a rough area bordered by tall trees. I had no altitude and no options. I had broken a golden rule of aviation and left myself with no out. Somehow I squeaked out a descent landing between the trees, turning 90 degrees at the last minute to avoid a gigantic bush. It worked out, but I scolded myself for being so aggressive. Too many people have invested their time, money, and energy into this project for me to be making stupid decisions. Never again!

This is How My Glider was when I Unhooked. My Final was to the Left of the Single Tree. Somehow I Turned 90 Degrees and Flared.

Other Angles

Overall it was a great first XC on my new wing. My thermaling skills weren't as rusty as had I feared and on the T2C fatigue wasn't an issue. Jim, Erin, Zippy, and Dustin picked me up and we headed to Quest for day 2. The cold front arrived at sunset and the skies opened in a show of rain, lightning and thunder. Flying tomorrow is questionable due to strong winds again.

Flytec Race and Rally - Practice Day

When I got to the Florida Ridge this morning there was a red, white, and black Wills Wing T2c tied down right in front of our parking spot. It looked spectacular! When I met up with the Jeff's I found out it was my new glider, they had already set it up for me. I couldn't believe it. What a stunning piece of art and machine!

Brand New Wills Wing T2C 154 in Phoenix Multisport Colors

I spent the first half of the day reuniting with the community, trading stories, and generally catching up. The wind was strong out of the south and not much flying was going on. There is no shortage of personalities in this sport and catching up with everyone made up for any lost airtime. It was all I could do not to gush thank you's at the Jeff's all day for all of their help.

Bobby and Rett in the Dragonfly's

Wet and Happy Cosmo

After breakfast Shapiro and O'Brien helped me get my harness sorted and put my decals on. I got a wrinkle in the P that took a few tries to smooth out. After that I was happy to stay out of the way and let their experience hands finish the job. Seeing the Phoenix Logo next to the glider it because obvious that it was way to big. My plan of cropping in down to a half circle still takes up a ton of sail space and will weigh quite a bit. I'm about 95% certain I'm not going to try it, but we'll see tomorrow.

Applying the Lettering

The Logo is Too Big

In the early evening the winds calmed and Jeff took the new glider up for a test flight. On the first tow the tug engine quit at about 50 feet and Dustin (flying the tug) and Jeff both pulled off excellent landings. The second tow was uneventful and I was amazed at how good the glider looked in the air. Jeff pinned off and did a few maneuvers before strafing cabins in a high speed pass. I was putting my camera away and missed it, but the sound of the T2C at speed was music to my hears.

Jeff's Test Flight

After he landing I hooked in and readied for my first flight. I was nervous flying a brand new glider and not having aerotowed since last November, but my excitement quickly shut it down. On tow the glider was docile and predictable. It is so much easier to turn than my Talon and I had no fatigue when I pinned off. I zipped up and did turns, stalls, explored the VG range, and rocked upright to practiced my flare. The speed range was amazing, with full VG I was going so fast I was scared to do any wing overs. I opted to bleed off some speed in the first one and do them at 3/4 VG. The landing was a piece of cake, even after I carried too much speed (easy to do) and ballooned a little transitioning to my down tubes. Rocking upright quickly was my only trouble, but I'll sort that out with a few more flights. Overall the glider is amazing! It truly does everything - it goes fast, is easy to fly, and even easier to land. A simple pleasure to fly!

A Few Tips

My First Flight

Hero Cam

The weather is looking questionable tomorrow as a cold front in pushing through Mississippi, but I think it'll be good enough to call a task. I can't wait to give it a shot!