Crestline Soaring Society

Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Flight 895 >>>> 3 hours 30 minutes
Launch: Crestline >>>> Wind: S @ 6 then still then N @ 4 then S at 8
Max Alt. 12,215 Ft MSL >>>> Left lift to go on glide… Cloud Base at approx 15,000 ft.
Total Ascent 29,445 feet
Max FPM Averaged: 1,100fpm
Max Sink: 1,450 fpm
Mileage Logged on GPS >>> 140 Miles

This was a really nice flight. Dusty launched first and was at approx 9,000 feet. I launched next and Chris launched 5 minutes later. Chris and I were climbing out over billboard in separate thermals. Chris had a better climb rate so I dove it on over and we both past through 10K. Chris headed out front a bit and I stayed in the smooth lift up to approx. 12,000 ft. An Alaska Airliner Buzzed to Close for comfort and I thought I was close to cloud base until while banked up and climbing I could see Dusty on his Falcon at what looked to be about 2,500 feet higher (15K I guess). I went on glide to the east flying at about 45 mph with 150 fpm climb rates here and there. A bit of sink for a stretch had my Flight Level down to 9K over Strawberry. Soon nice 800fpm climbs and back to 12,000. Keller Peak looked close so I gave it a go. The air was getting really turbulent (= whimp) at about the point where Highway 330 was right below me and I decided to make a U-Turn and try for Cucamonga Peak. I spotted Kyle on an orange glider at about 8K below Strawberry Peak and it was interesting to watch his glide West with a birds eye view.

The lift was the same heading west and I varied flight levels between 9,500 ft and 12,000 feet all the way to West of the 15 freeway and just about onto the foothills below Cucamonga Peak and into more sink down to 9K and another U-Turn.

OK. I will give Keller Peak another Go. I made Highway 330 once again and once again bailed back West. AND ONCE AGAIN THE SAME AIR back to the 15 freeway and close to Cucamonga.

Dave launched Marshall Peak as I was descending to land and he reported a climb to 12K at approx. 5:45pm. While on final the wind in the LZ was switching 90 degrees at a time and had me landing up-slope into a headwind at first and then crosswind with SW but no harm…