Flying Out 2010

It's the last day of 2010, and Windy Hill was the call. Seeing the forecast for East winds diminishing rapidly as the day went on, I opted for an early foray to the hill. I could not convince anyone else to join me in the LZ at 8:30am, so after setting up streamers I hiked my gear up the long trail to launch solo.

I was rewarded by winds light, but straight in, and an abundance of fog cloud forming and dissipating around the hill making for some beautiful scenery.





I set up quickly both to be ready to launch before the easterlies quit, and to stay warm. After chatting with a few interested hikers, I was ready to go by 9:45 am. I launched into a light breeze and enjoyed a wonderfully smooth sled run at my favorite local site. The hills were green, the mist was rolling, and I can not think of any better way to spend the last hours of 2010.

Does It Get Any Better Than This?
The LZ was wet, but the sun was warm and the quiet meadow brought a smile to my face.

I made a short movie of the flight to capture the mood of the day:

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I opted to do a self retrieve today and hike back up to the top, taking the opportunity to see from the ground that which I so often view from the air. It's a 1 hour hike at a brisk pace, and I need to do it more often. It's almost as nice as the flight down.


We have had some high winds lately, and the Eucalyptus and other trees show it.
The sky continued to produce spectacular views throughout the day

It has been another great year. I flew 5 new sites, including 3 sites in Florida (http://pilotneedsride.blogspot.com/2010_04_01_archive.html) and Makapu'u on Oahu (http://pilotneedsride.blogspot.com/2010_01_01_archive.html)
I've had some setbacks with an injury and, of course, work always interferes. But I feel blessed to have spent another year in air and to have shared it with good friends and my wonderful family.

I'm looking forward to another great year, and many more to come.

2010 Flight Statistics:

Airtime: 54:10
Flights: 127
Flying Days: 67

Mission, It's The New Funston

Four and a half weeks. That's how long it has been since my last flight. It is not often I go so many days without flying and I was in need of some air.

Fortunately there was plenty of good stuff to be had. I joined up with Urs and Enzo and crossed the bay to Mission Peak, meeting Tom Lo and Charlie there. Conditions looked a little light, but promising. I launched, scratched, and climbed in solid, smooth lift up above launch and behind. Once above 2,500' it was easy to stay up, with abundant lift by the peak and over the foothills.
Launching Into A Green Valley

Climbing Above The Peak. Charlie In The Distance

Clear Air & Good Views

I soared with Charlie and Urs, enjoying the view. Near 3,000' the air became turbulent and rather than try to break through the inversion, I opted to just stay below it where it was smooth.

Saying Hi To The Hikers

Over Launch. Diablo In The Distance

Unzipping? Or Dropping A Finger-Bang? You Decide

It felt great to get the dust off the glider. After only 30 minutes I opted to top land to end this short, but thoroughly enjoyable flight.

Banking It In For An Easy Top Landing

Enzo Landing Shortly After Me

Flight Time: 0:30
Max Altitude: 3,000'

Mexico

Every other year for the past 6 years, my family has gone down to Mexico for Christmas. We stay in a community called Bajamar, 10 miles north of Ensenada, and within a few miles of the La Salina flying site.

I opted not to bring my glider this year and save some time and hassle by flying down instead of driving.

It was a relaxing five days, and a good time to spend with family members I don't see often.

View from the deck

La Casa Johnson

Mountain Lions

Mountain lions are known to frequent the hills and woods of the Bay Area. Windy Hill is no exception. Fortunately, there are signs warning hikers about the dangers, and providing pictorial directions on what to do in the event of a lion encounter.

These techniques are controversial, but they have saved me on multiple occasions.

Marina! finally...

When I was a H2 and new H3, I took many trips down to Marina wanting to goon the dunes. I set up lots of times, but never caught the conditions right for getting a flight.

Years later I finally got it right and came down to Marina on a good day to fly with Ryan, JT, and Ben.

John was happy to see me

It's fun flying to low dunes in a low performing glider. Skimming the sand and landing without moving forward. Here's a couple videos courtesy of the one and only John Taylor.

Vertical landing practice...

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Walking into the air...

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After a couple hours of gooning and about 6 flights, I packed it up and headed home with a smile on my face.

A heartfelt goodbye from John to end the day