Sylmar Hang Gliding Association

[Ken Andrews]

This is a Falcon League weekend! For variety, I'm thinking about meeting on Sunday, March 29 at 11:00 in the LZ. One possibility would be to launch from Kagel and fly open distance to the east. We're beginning to know the LZs in that direction pretty well: the subdivision near Hungary Joe's, Beehives, Dino's plateau, the Big T wash, the Deukmejian landfill, the La Canada golf course, the Arroyo Seco next to JPL, and on to the Crestline LZ for the really ambitious.

If there's interest in launching from a different unusual spot in our local mountains, we could do that too. The 2200 comes to mind, but even with nothing more than a Falcon perched on one's shoulder, it's a bit of a hike.

Thoughts?

[greblo]

Can't make it on a Sunday, but it sure sounds like fun.

[NMERider]

Saturday is out and Sunday is a good possibility. Open distance to the East sounds good assuming that the wind is typical SW. I hope the forecast is good! Jonathan

[Don]

I'll be there.

[ericbrown]

Wow, a falcon league on a weekend I'm actually in town! I can do either day. The 2200 sounds fun.

The early GFS shows Saturday either blowing down or a 7-8k day. If it blows in it might be a good day to fly over the back. Just don't follow B.J...

[greblo]

If it's blowing down, or on the cusp of blowing down, we'll hit a headwind if we fly over the back.

[Don]

[ericbrown]

Easy solution: we make Don go first.

[max]

Blowing down or up I don't care I'm in
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Smile now Cry later
MAX

[Ken Andrews]

It looks like we're good to go on Sunday. I heard another vote today that we should launch the 2200, so maybe that's the call. That launch can get blown out, and it's sort of a long glide on a Falcon to the flatland out front, so the current forecast for light south winds is good. The launch has also just been cleared by the forest fires, so it will be hard to find a better day for this adventure. Then again, this means we've got to be prepared for a considerable hike with our gliders. See you in the LZ at 11:00!

[Ken Andrews]

This Saturday, April 11, is earmarked as a Falcon League day. Weather Underground is predicting 10% chance of rain, but I like being optimistic. At the moment, my inclination is to aim again at launching the 2200, since it's hard to see when it could ever be better. The west wind will take us home to the Sylmar LZ, or beyond if the thermals are working. Meet in the LZ at 11:00 if you're interested, but watch this space for updates, because an earlier schedule might be necessary so that we can launch while the winds are still light.

As always, there are SHGA rules to be followed; they are at http://www.shga.com/rules.asp for those who haven't memorized them. In particular, all launch sites within 5 miles of Kagel require an advanced rating or SHGA instructor permission, current USHPA and SHGA membership are required (day use fee counts), and don't interfere with the Camp-9 helicopters.

[jdevorak]

I'll be there. It would be a real accomplishment just to hike my falcon up that hill.
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LZ Lizard

[max]

Ken I am in, do we going to have any doctor on this trip in case J. or I collapse carrying our glider up the hill, pilots over 50 has to be more choosy with the launch sites see you guys on Saturday
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Smile now Cry later
MAX

[ericbrown]

Don and I will be flying in AZ this weekend so I won't be able to make it this time. Good luck with that hill!

[NMERider]

[Ken Andrews]

I'm afraid the Falcon League on Saturday April 11 will be a low-key event, and the 2200 launch is probably not in the cards. I have had a cold the last several days, and even though I plan on getting healthy each day, I haven't been following my plan very well. Don and Eric are out of town, and Joe may be teaching. The weather forecast isn't being very cooperative either.

And jeepers, there hasn't been a single positive word about launching the 2200! My topographic map says it's a climb of 280 feet vertical. As one point of comparison, the Torrey Pines gliderport is about 320 feet above the beach, and some of us over-optimistic folk know what it's like to carry a hang glider up those stairs.

In any case, I'm still planning to get healthy and be in the LZ at 11:00 on Saturday with a Falcon. We'll take a vote and see then where people want to go. So long as it's not raining, at least we could speed-glide to the LZ, which is somewhat interesting in its own right.

[NMERider]

[surfinseth]

Wow hike it up 280 feet !!! If I can get a helper to come along I may be able to go. I need to save my body for my Drifting event on Sunday (I have already paid the $160 entry fee) I need to be in tip top condition to expect to be able to hang with the experienced drifters.

is the road paved up until the hike part?? that way I could have a helper follow us up... ??

best,

Sether [/youtube]
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Surfin Sether (yes I am a better pilot than you!)

[Malury]

Fellow Falcon Fliers and Friends, I regret to say that I won't be able to join in the Falcon Festivities until mid May. I'll be in Hawaii for the next three weeks. So fly far and fly safe! Aloha.

[jdevorak]

I'm sorry, where is the regret in that? Unles you're trying to emulate Don and swim with the sharks! J.
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LZ Lizard