Hello, all:
We held flight ops yesterday because it’s getting late in the soaring season and the soaring weather was predicted to be at least average. The conditions were much better than that! Skysight predicted clear skies, but CU clouds started to form by 1PM and they continued to form and pass overhead until almost 5PM. Under each of those clouds was lift, and it was strong, consistent lift. Skysight and Dr. Jack’s predicted that the thermals would be no higher than 6,000′, but Jeff F found the cloud bases were closer to 6,800′. We can’t explain why the thermals were so good. It had rained over an inch on Monday. The temps had dropped from close to 90 degrees on Friday to a high of 68 on Tuesday. The winds were light and from the southeast, and the dewpoint was low. Anyway, we only had three pilots come out to fly. Bob A flew the club’s Grob 102, Jeff F flew his 1-26B, and Bud S flew his Grob 102. Bob launched first and landed two hours and thirty-five minutes later. Jeff launched second and flew for one hour and forty-five minutes. Bud launched third and flew for one hour and four minutes. Bob A flew back and forth four times between Bennington and Kennard. Jeff flew from Bennington to Kennard, to Blair, to Ft. Calhoun, crossed the river, came back, flew to Bennington Lake, and then back to KBTA. Bud flew to his favorite spot over a cattle lot south-southwest of the airport, then went north and hung out around Kennard and Skinny Bones before coming back to KBTA. All three pilots wore big smiles. Days like this are pretty rare!
Bob D towed for us.
Safe soaring!
OSCI
Recent Comments