Flytec Race and Rally 2012 - Wrapping Up

I compiled my Go Pro HD Hero Cam footage from Day 7 of the Flytec Race and Rally.  Steve Kroop from Flytec had a 15" camera arm and downtube mount on hand that I proceeded to over-tighten and break.  He kindly and patiently exchanged the broken mount for a new one and the Go Pro was put into action.  Thanks Steve.  I'm very please with the mount.  It strapped up solidly to the keel, both above and below, although a safety lanyard would be prudent.  Unfortunately, the camera died on the first day and on the second the lens filled with so much fog everything was a blur.  For the last day I decided to mount in next to me on the downtube so I could baby sit it.  I still had a fog issue in the start circle when I was close to cloudbase.  Then the battery died just after the second turn point, missing my super low save and landing.  As a result there isn't much of a story arc, but it gives a good view of my perspective through the start and first leg.

Day 7 Vid - Start Circle through First Leg

YouTube

Vimeo

I'm super happy with the Flytec mount and would recommend it to anyone who want's an easy, versatile, no-brainer of a mount.  A few weeks back Davis showed how it can be extended with an old batten.  I can't say the same for the Go Pro HD, which was abnormally high maintenance this comp.

While I was editing I managed to merge a few clips of Wolfe and Alex swooping the pond at Quest.  It's not going to be as good as their onboard angle, but pretty cool to watch anyway.

Wolfe and Alex Swooping the Pond at Quest

Youtube



Smugmug

After the awards ceremony John, Heather, Paris, and I piled in the Element and headed north to Atlanta.  After 3.5 hours of sleep I dropped them off at ATL then back to the room for another 2 hours. I spent the day with Adam, Kristie, and their kids until the weight of my 24 hour driving time back to Colorado was too heavy to ignore.

The Element Overloaded

The Last Push

I made it just outside of St. Louis before sleep was no longer an option.  After a short four hours I put my head down and endured Kansas in the only comfortable way - with my feet on the dash.

My Accommodations for a 4 Hour Nap

This Can Only Be Done in Kansas

Beauty on the Plains

Crossing into Colorado at Sunset

Flytec Race and Rally 2012 - Day 7

Day 7 gave me one last chance to make up for my Peaceful Slumber-induced late start yesterday. I was keen to make up as much ground as possible. A 140km dog-leg task to the north from Moultre Airport to Americus Airport was called. The only obstacles would be a small forest and Lake Blackshear, 20km short of goal. I launched early in the open window, over an hour before the first start. There were a few clouds lingering in the start circle with light lift underneath. As the ordered launches towed up a few gaggles formed. I was at the edge of the start circle way too early so I joined the main gaggle low over the airfield. After finding a few cores I was able to get close to the top of the stack for a good starting position. When the first start clock came everyone left in a massive exodus. All the gliders at various altitudes looked like a scene out of Independence Day when the earthlings attacked the alien mothership.

Day 7 Task, 140km from Moultre to Americus, GA

At 3000' I stopped with a few others to sniff out a bump, but left after one turn. In that one turn I lost the lead group, who got down super low before their first climb. For the rest of the first leg I followed one glide away with about 6 others. Near the turn point our gaggle had thinned to 3, but we were joined by low stragglers off the front gaggle. There was another gaggle about 10km to the west that paralleled our line. Later I found out that was a slightly worse line which really mixed up how everyone would make it to goal. Just shy of the turn point the switch turned off and the lift got thin and light. My gaggle splintered and almost everyone decked it. I found a low save at 700'. I was already unzipped when I hit a 50fpm bump. I clung to 50-150fpm for almost 45 minutes slowing working back up to 3000'. As I did that I saw another half a dozen gliders tag the turn point and everyone who was below me decked it. It was terrifying so I waited until someone finally joined me to head out to goal. We were only 35km away, but were bucking a crosswind. My partner across the abyss of light lift was Pete Layman. We only found one slow climb back up to 3800'. That was the last climb of the day and we landed together just short of Lake Blackshear.

Lake Blackshear from the Turn Point

Pete and I On Our Last Glide of the Day

I really thought I was going to make goal. My disappointment stung even more when I found out a solid group made it. I did a good job of working with people, not being too aggressive or too conservative. I didn't give up when I was down low and was able to claw my way up from 700'. Unlike the previous days when I decked it there wasn't one single mistake or strategy I could pinpoint as my error. It was just a fickle day. Racing hang gliders is like a three-dimensional game of chess with dice. There is definitely a luck element and I didn't quite have the talent to overcome a little bit of bad luck. 

The finish was dramatic. Jonny, Dustin, and Zippy got held up on the line to the west. Paris and Pedro took a death glide over the lake, but found lift. Then Pedro went for goal super early and Paris had to follow. Paris stopped for one turn just make sure he had the numbers and Pedro made it by a small margin. The turn cost Paris 1st place overall and $1300, but he took it stride. Overall I'm please with the comp. I finished 26 out of about 55 pilots, which is my best finish yet. I should say to that the talent this year was on another level. Everyone is just so good and it was a pleasure to see such expertise in action.

Sunset at Americus Airport

Awards Ceremony

Final Results HERE

The flying was great and most of all spending a week with the regulars was fantastic. It's really the people that make this sport. I had a thousands laughs hanging with my main partner in crime, Jon Simon. His wife Heather and Paris made the hours spent on the road pass quickly. Many thanks to both of them for such good company. I'd also like to thank the organizers, tug pilots, ground crew, and other pilots for a great week. Everyone works really hard to pull this race off every year and the rewards are well worth it.

Flytec Race and Rally 2012 - Day 6

The Peaceful Slumber is the best car camping bed roll in the history of bed rolls. It was produced in the late '90's by a man obsessed with nothing else than a comfortable bed roll for car camping. His company didn't sell anything else, just bed rolls. The lack of diversification was his downfall because eventually he went out of business. With the supply source gone people in the know hoarded as many Peaceful Slumbers as they could find. I just happened to be friends with one of those hoarders. We have been friends for over a decade. When I asked to borrow his Peaceful Slumber he let me take it, but warned me ominously that if anything happened to it our relationship would change. I was like "Bro I'll treat it like my first born." 

 The problem is I don't have kids and accidentally left it on the roof in the Element last night twenty miles away from our starting point in Live Oak, FL. When I realized it was gone fifteen minutes before the task meeting I had a choice; honor my pledge to my friend or rig and abandon any hope of finding the Peaceful Slumber. I choose the former and rallied the twenty miles back to Lake City. After frantically retracing my steps past Moe's Burritos, the drive in coffee shop, the median, and the sidewalk there was only one place left to look - the highway on ramp. I pulled off on the grass and searched desperately. The sinking feeling in my stomach turned to dread as I realized I wasn't going to find it. Then I spotted a homeless camp through the trees. I ran over and there it was! 

That was only half the battle. I still had to take it back from a crew of people that needed it way more than I did. I explained that if it was mine I would gladly give it to them, even buy them each their own, but it wasn't mine and I wasn't leaving without it. After haggling with them for a while we settled on a fair trade that everybody was happy with. They were fiscally compensated for their trouble and I left with the Peaceful Slumber, a chrome truck hubcap, and a good conscious.

All Smiles After Negotiating with my Homeless Friends

 

I couldn't believe I actually found it. I sped back to Live Oak just as everyone was cueing up their gliders. Alex Cuddy helped me rig and found my spot, but by the time I entered in the task and hooked up my harness I'd missed my launch slot. I'd have to go last. It would hurt me, but it was worth finding the Peaceful Slumber. A 90km task to East towards Jacksonville was called. I missed the meeting so I had no clue about the vast forests, towered airports (although I found out later it was uncontrolled), and prisons we would be flying over. I was the last ordered pilot in the air and worked hard to catch up. I did good working with the stragglers to leap frog to a small gaggle. We climbed well, but it was slow going to the airport. After that things got really slow and the lift was light. I had to earn every foot of altitude and kilometer over the ground. 

Working Hard to Catch Up

Across the Big Forests

Huge Pond

 The forest was huge, but I was high enough to have good options before crossing it. Finally just before the turnpoint I made a poor decision. Campbell had turned back into the forest for lift, but I didn't like it so I pressed on. It would have been better to stick with him and find it than take my chances on my own. He dribbled in 50fpm forever, but eventually got up. I decked it just after the turnpoint. It was a rewarding flight because I worked really hard to get as far as I did, behind and alone at times, but almost everyone made goal. The decision that put me on the deck more than any other was forgetting the Peaceful Slumber on the roof last night, but I got a hell of a story out of it!

Flytec Race and Rally 2012 - Day 5

A 121km task north of Quest to Williston airport was called. Greystone, where John Travolta keeps his airplane was the only turn point. I launched early in the open window so I could stage for the first start. Eduardo, Campbell, and I worked the edge of the start circle until the main gaggle made it over.

Video of the Start Circle

At the first start I went with a big group, but most of the leaders waited for the second. The lift wasn't as strong as the previous day, but 3-400fpm climbs were common. I passed something the guys I was with stopped for to catch a gaggle out front and got low over the badlands. I saw a small cloud on the edge of the forest and dug myself out, but never caught the gliders I was after.

On Glide

 

The Endangered Turtle Refuge I Landed in Last Year

 

Soon there was a new gaggle and we worked together through light lift until just short of the turnpoint. By then people had dropped off one by one and I was alone. It was not looking good until Jonny showed up followed by all the big boys. I went from low and alone to high with talent. It was in a perfect position near the top of the stack to finish the task then I pissed it away with one bad decision. I lead out towards the turn point and sniffed 150fpm that I didn't think was worth stopping in. By the turn point there was nothing. Everyone else had found a real climb where I kept going. It was such a stupid mistake. I knew it at the time, but let the freight train keep going anyway. It's my third time at the Race and Rally, I know better than that.

Greystone - The 1st Turn Point

John Travolta's House

I groveled down low with Swiss Nick just after the turn point, but decked just west of Greystone. Landing there did not look friendly.

Flytec Race and Rally 2012 - Day 4

Day 4 Task

Day 4 started at Quest with a 90km triangle south then north and back to Quest. The ordered launch was the same as the day before, but the lines shifted which put me in the middle. It was another blue sky day and it didn't take long before a death gaggle formed in the start circle. I laughed as an Eagle angrily flew upstream against 50 gliders turning the opposite direction than him. I took the first start with a big group of people and tagged the first turn point after two short climbs. The group splintered on the way to the second, but I did a good job of hanging with a smaller gaggle. I took my turn leading out glides when I was on top, knowing full well that the faster guys would catch me. After the second turn point we got really low, but there were enough of us to bag a good climb back up above 5000'. I took that climb a little higher, which turned out to be a good call because I entered the wrong radius for the last turn point. It meant I flew about 1.4km past the cylinder before I turned around, but I used the extra altitude to catch everyone. It took a few more climbs to get Quest within glide. My instrument wasn't giving me numbers to goal because it never thought I tagged the third turn point and I didn't know how to advance to the goal (second time flying with it). The good news was I was with a fast group filled with talent. I navigated visually and did my best to keep up and fly fast. It worked and I made goal just behind Paris, Joe, Edoardo, and Glen. Time was 2:12:47 it looks like I'm 13, which is a first top 20 finish. Stoked!!!! 

The Phoenix at Goal

Flytec Race and Rally 2012 - Day 3

The system pumping strong north winds has moved out of the area enough for some conducive flying weather. A 150km task from Dunnellon Airport to Quest to Lake Wales Airport was called. It would be an easy downwind task in the countryside west of Orlando. This year there is an ordered launch system, to which I was #41. The conditions were more like Colorado than Florida with broken thermals, bumpy air, blue skies, and cold - like 40 degrees at 5000'. There was an ordered launch and I was number 41. That meant I got off late, but not at the very back. I hooked up with Greg, Charlie, Tom, and John in the start circle and took the 2:45 start. We had a good tailwind for the first leg and worked down the east side of ??!! Lake. By the other side our gaggle had splintered. John was out ahead and called out two climbs for me. I was alone, but caught him just after the Quest.

Day 3 Task

 

Starting at Dunnellon Airport

From the Air

Looking South on the Course Line

We worked together perfectly for another 20km, but I was getting really motion sick. It always happens on my first flight after not flying or a while, but the bumpy air exaggerated things. I suffered through a few more climbs, but decided to get on the ground while I had my whits about me. I lead out a glide and was setting up for the last big landing field before the woods. Then I saw a waypoint called Wallab in the GPS, which had to be Wallaby. I needed to pick up a glider there for a Colorado pilot. I was on the other side of the woods, but I was loitering in 50fpm. I drifted down wind until I had it on glide. I was bummed I ended the flight early and felt terrible leaving John, but it was a good first comp flight and I have gas money to get home now!

Landed at Wallaby

Stumbled on this Guy on the Drive

Flytec Race and Rally 2012 - Day 1 & 2

Day one was cancelled due to strong winds.  I had an eventful practice flight yesterday.  You can read about it at the end of my previous post Here.

The forecast for day two showed strong northwest surface winds.  In an effort to make a viable task we moved to Dunnellon Airport,  about 70 kilometers northwest of Quest.  A task southeast past Quest to Lake Wales Airport was called.  The winds in the forecast proved true, which along with strong thermal cycles made towing too difficult to get the field airborne.  We hung out for a while to see if the winds would abate, but in the early afternoon the day was called.  After my adventure yesterday I was happy to stay on the ground until more friendlier conditions prevailed.

Strong Winds Again

 

 Although we'd all rather be flying, the pilots and crew make hanging out a random airports good fun.  The people are really what make this sport and catching up with everyone made the time pass quickly.  I also happened to stumble on a few cool airplanes sitting on the ramp.  The first was a Osprey II experimental.  It's an all wood amphibious 2 place airplane with retractable landing gear.  The interesting thing about it is how low it sits in the water.  The example we saw had virtually perfect canvas work.

Keeping Busy Waiting for the Winds to Die Off

   

 The Osprey II

 

 

 Dustin Stress-testing the Canvas Work

 

 Osprey II Take-off

Look how low it sits in the water until it gets on the step.

 Sitting across from the Osprey II was 1956 Cessna 310.  It was in poor condition, but still had a stately presence.  Early design cues like the upright canopy, vertical tail, and massive tip tanks were captivating. This example's flying days were long gone, but the patina of faded paint, mold, and oxidation made it worth photographing.

The Stately Early Cessna 310

After 4 days of sleeping in the Element I was happy to adapt a large window sill into accommodations for the evening. The weather looks better tomorrow so the race should be on. In the meantime Jack Simons pointed out - We're all tied in 1st place! 

My Accommodations for the Evening

Flytec Race and Rally 2012 - Travel and Preparations

It's April and that means it's Flytec Race and Rally time. It's been a hectic year so getting myself and my gear sorted would take right up to the last minute. The first order of business was new wires, a 3 to 1 VG, and thorough inspection of the T2C. 

New Wires

   

 3 to 1 VG

   

 I would be the only pilot coming from Colorado and didn't have money for hotels so driving the Element made the most sense. I replaced the OEM rack with a Thule set up, then hacked up a pawn shop extension ladder plus some conduit for a full size rack. A base radio, GPS, and radar detector finished the package. It's a full fledged hang glider recovery vehicle. 

 Outfitting the Element 

 

 Base Radio, GPS, and Radar Detector

   

 Jo would be driving the E30, which decided to break down the day I wanted to leave. Several trips to the junk yard had it fixed, but it put be 24 hours behind schedule. I stopped for 6 hours outside of St. Louis and made it to Quest (in Groveland, Florida) at 3:30 am the morning of the first day, a total of 36 hours. 

 Beautiful Kansas Sky

 

 

 The Arch

Appalachia

Arrival at 3:30am, 36 hours later

   

 The first day was cancelled due to strong winds. I was keen to free-fly anyway since my last flight was in the fall. I broke a weak-link just above the trees on the first tow. I pulled off a low 360 for a great landing. Jon said it was the roughest air of the day. The second tow was uneventful. So was the flight up until the end. In the fall I had been having problems getting my head down at full speed. My pitch adjuster was hanging up on something. I fixed it in the winter, but hadn't had a chance to test it in flight. I also hadn't been getting full travel out of my VG before the 3 to 1. The difference wasn't huge, but it was enough to create some drama. After a few thermals I tried out my pitch at a range of different speeds. When it was time to land I set up a high speed downwind towards the pond. My plan was to pay out my energy over the pond then land near the big tree. I wasn't trying to show off as I have nothing on the superior talent of the majority of pilots in the meet.  I was just enjoying flying the glider at speed, although the changes masked how much energy it had.  At about 300' I hit a wire-slapper and lost the bar. I'm not sure if it was ripped out of my hand or surged forward as I instinctively tried to slow down. Either way it pinned violently against my neck. By the time I got my hands back on it I was climbing steeply. My bed was made. I was rocketing skyward at 120 degrees pitch (past the vertical).  It was too late to pull in. I should have rolled out of the side, but my instinct at the time was to push out slightly and go over the top. It seemed like the quickest way to get out of it and time was of the essence!  I've never looped before, nor planned on doing it any time soon. I stayed positive the whole time, but it was close. If not for a headwind as I was upside-down I don't think it would have been successful.  Lots of wingovers probably helped with the muscle memory.  I landed and was disgusted at my decision making. Sleep depravation, glider changes, turbulence and rotor were all factors that I didn't respect. I needed to fly to get dialed with my glider, but I should have been more respectful of the multiple threats I faced under those conditions.  I did keep my composure and take decisive action in a violent and surprising situation.  There are a very few times in a pilot's career when such a situation presents itself.  It was satisfying to have acted correctly under pressure, but that does not excuse putting myself in the situation in the first place.  It was a valuable learning experience,  In any form of aviation, mistakes you can walk away from are gifts. I'll take it as that and learn from it. I'm looking forward to our first day of racing tomorrow. In the meantime my neck hurts.