Flying possibilities

[Bill Cummings]

Today I was the driver for Hadley and Robin. Later Lee arrived and I took some pictures and videos.
Hadley in the foreground assessing the conditions. (Click on pictures to expand them.)

[Bill Cummings]

First off of Magdalena Rim was Hadley in his PG. Next was Robin in his HG. Third up was Lee's RC glider.

[Bob Kuczewski]

A truly triwingual club!!!     

Nice launch Hadley ... up, up, and away!

Same for Robin and Lee (although the camera's auto-focus seemed to be misbehaving during your flights ... I guess it's harder to track those skinny wings).

Watching these videos makes me want to turn around and drive back out there ... with my Falcon and Arcus!!     

[Bill Cummings]

RGSA/Hawks,
I just discovered a shortcut to posting my pictures.
Before I had to take each picture and open it in Paint then resize it to 30% for horizontal and vertical otherwise my pictures were too large to post.
This time I used the Snipping Tool (free download) and I was able to post without all the preparation in Paint. (Click on the picture to expand it.)
Also hit F11 to further expand the picture.

Bill in front of Dry.JPG (111.04 KiB) Viewed 7631 times

[Bill Cummings]

Just trying a non compressed Snipping Tool capture from a video I took as I was circling to land at the main LZ in Alamogordo, NM

BC @ Gordo., NM.JPG (88.48 KiB) Viewed 7621 times

Click on the picture to expand it.
Also hit F11 button to further expand the picture.
Another adjustment for viewing that works on my computer is to hold down
CTRL button, at bottom left of keyboard, while pressing - or+ button.

[Bill Cummings]

I was talking to Bob K about my good luck with pictures and he thought it important to also say what kind of browser I’m using to view these posted pictures. I am using Firefox. If some of the pictures appear too large and grainy try first to reduce the size by holding CTRL down while repeatedly hitting the minus (-) button and see if that will fix the pictures on your different browser.
I’m real happy with Firefox.

[Bill Cummings]

Sunday, tomorrow, I will be picking up Robin at 10:30 am and we will meet up with Mike Ellsworth at the Cox Field LZ in Alamogordo, NM (USA).

With any luck Mike Reedy will be our driver.

It should be in the 70’s for a high temperature with the winds straight into launch at the Dry Canyon Launch.

Be there or be square.

[Bill Cummings]

The forecast seems to be holding. A high of 7k msl ridge lift, with a 25% chance of specking out near cloud base. 65 to 70 degrees today. I’m going to start loading up my Xterra.

[Bill Cummings]

The RGSA/Hawks Squeezed airtime out of Feb.
Mike Reedy, our driver, up from El Paso met Robin and me at Robin’s at 10:30 am and we threw onto my vehicle and made the near two hour drive to the LZ in Alamogordo, New Mexico, (USA) My 4X4 only has 9 inches of clearance so we loaded up on to Mike E’s Toyota since with his lift kit he must have over 12 inches of clearance. The road is in terrible shape. In two different places on the road up we were spinning tires and spitting rock and only bouncing with out any progress.

Mike even suspected that he might inadvertently have unlocked the front wheel hubs instead of locking them in. He got out to double check and they were locked in. It was only the road condition that had us stopped. Sheer determination on the part of Mike E. got us to the top.

The Whipper-Snappers saved my 65 year old back by off loading my Sport 2 and carrying it for me to the anchor stake. I would be out of this sport if it were not for the good people in the RGSA.

Mike E was first off around 1:45. I was off next at 1:49. Robin H., soon followed around 1:55 or so.

Mike as wind dummy indicated to us what was the unlucky direction to go and thanks to him, for us not following, Robin and I found a better parcel of air to be in.

Launch is at 7k’ and we made it to between 8,400 to 9,325’ for our max altitude in thermals.

Mike E., got around 20 to 30 minutes and Robin and I both got an hour.

Mike had some wind for landing but Robin and I had about 2 mph in a density altitude of about 6K. It was not pretty but no damage or injury. (We need to fly more.)

Mike R. wanted to get back early so we blazed through Arby’s and made it back to Las Cruces, NM at about 6:50 pm.

It was cold at altitude but nice on launch and better in the landing zone.

I had a WalMart shopping bag save. (Figure that out.)

[Bob Kuczewski]

I would be out of this sport if it were not for the good people in the RGSA.

Long live the RGSA!!!     

Mike E was first off around 1:45. I was off next at 1:49. Robin H., soon followed around 1:55 or so.

Just like clockwork!!!

Mike as wind dummy indicated to us what was the unlucky direction to go and thanks to him, for us not following, Robin and I found a better parcel of air to be in.

Long live the wind dummies!!!     

I had a WalMart shopping bag save. (Figure that out.)

Hmmm... I'll have to think about that one ...