Endless Summer
Vulcan Report #5- -Rob Clarkson
Let's Fly!! After being the first off yesterday and getting the longest flight
I was keen to get going early today. Every one else seems to be catching on
that in an open distance comp you want to go early. I got ready quick but I
still wasn't first off. I was second to tow up at 12:30pm and I saw two
others towing right behind me. I got a nice slow climb at about 100' per min
up to 8000'. I drifted over the other tow road 2 miles away and one pilot was
already in the air from there too. Some of the pilots over there saw me high
and every one was keen to get going. I was being cautious to make sure I
didn't sink out. After I got my first stong climb to 12000' I started to push
harder. I skipped a couple climbs looking for some thing good and found my
self at 500' I hung on watching a couple hawks hoping they could help me center
some thing good. I worked my way back up to a thousand feet before I started
to get a decent climb back up to 8000'. I hit nothing but bullets for the next
few miles and never got back to cloud base. After being in the air for 2 hours
my consentration drops as I get very uncomfortable in my harness. It was slow
going and I was getting frustated at my poor progress. After three hours in
the air the harness becomes painful and I fight with my self not to give up.
The day is not is easy and without the concentration I need to get up I soon
land. I'm out 80km in 3hrs 20min. This is at least two hours before the end
of the day. I think I could have made a hundred miles if I had my head in it.
Doug Keller has the longest flight at 140km. Most pilots are about 90 - 100
km. I was very happy to get away early. Pilots here tend to wait until the
better part of the day to launch. Its good to show people a differnt approach.
Friday over cast we head to Leathbridge to see a movie.
Rob
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