It was  a short but eventful competition day today, as CD Jackie and her task advisors raced to get in a task before the encroaching overcast shut everything down.  Initially, based on a ‘slightly optimistic’ report from weatherman Richard Kellerman, the task was going to be a 3:30 or 3:00 TAT.  However, it soon became apparent that the weather was moving in more rapidly than predicted, so the task we actually flew was a 1.5 hr TAT — east to Wagener Gap (15 miles), then north to Shade Mountain (15 miles), then home.  Even that turned out to be challenging, as the majority of the fleet landed out, with only a handful of gliders making it around and getting the 60-mile minimum distance at the same time.  I participated in the glider convention at Mifflintown airport, just on the east side of Shade mountain, about 12-13 miles from home.  The airport there is hard-surfaced, but is anything but level.  It is cut into the side of a hill, and so the  east side is lower than the west side; also, it is higher on both ends than in the middle, , and  it has several dips and rises along its length, plus glider-eating landing lights very close to the centerline.   Dennis Linnekin (DL) and I took aerotows, and I have to say that Dennis’ tow got my attention.  He got a wing down and was headed for a landing light, but managed to get it all back together in time.  After watching his departure, I moved my glider over to the other side of the centerline, and had an uneventful takeoff and tow.

Tomorrow is for sure a rain day, and probably Tuesday as well.  I hope to be able to sit in the new Duck Hawk, and maybe sand some crazing down on my right wing.  Other than that, I plan to sleep late (never works), get some programming done (sometimes works) and relax (also never works).

Stay tuned

Frank (TA)