The forecast for soaring was generally good with a high buoyancy to wind shear ratio ( 3rd chart on the Dr Jacks page). And the thermal index that morning was very good with lift up to above 9000ft based on 78 degrees. The high reached 80.
I got out late from work and the Blaniks were both out. Steve Stevens started off towing Don Meyer on a solo flight. Bob Dyer was next in the L-33. Steve Stevens was next up in the L-23. Pat Greenwood was next up in the L-23 and was up for 43 minutes. Jim Clark took the L-33 up with camera mounted on the wing and I think he landed with it still attached. After a reversal of battery polarity knocked out my vario and radio in the Russia, I was next up with a borrowed radio ( thanks Don) and backup vario built in the Oudie GPS. The GPS vario is not compensated but keeping a steady speed yielded good vario readings. Lift was good with climbs up to 500ft per minute and was reaching at least 8000ft, my highest altitude. I located the little air strip near the Elkhorn river just SE of Arlington. This makes a good emergency field if heading west. While I was up Pat Greenwood took a pattern tow with Whitt. Jim took another flight in the L-33. Jim mentioned over the radio that an airliner passed over the field. I was near the field and never saw it – got to get a PCAS. It turns out Daryl Hickman was on the flight and got a nice picture of the Pawnee and L-23 on the runway. Don took the L-23 up for the hanger flight. I landed last after a 1 hour and 45 minute flight. Lift was still very good but I had to return Dons radio.
So, the thermal forecast was very accurate. We didn’t get any CU forming since the air was so dry. A great way to start of spring soaring.
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