For the pilots who know:
How does kagel preform a year after the big fire? Does the loss of vegetation increase lift over the hill?
Thermal / flight characstics before - after the fire
Moderator: Chip
It is my feeling that the biggest difference is in the texture of the air. After past fires, it has seemed bumpier. Maybe a bit stronger lift, but definitely bumpier.
But that's just my impression. I could be wrong.
I have noticed that on very very light days, it has been marginally easier to stay up over the burned areas. But maybe that's just because I could smell the lift then.
But that's just my impression. I could be wrong.
I have noticed that on very very light days, it has been marginally easier to stay up over the burned areas. But maybe that's just because I could smell the lift then.
Fly High; Fly Far; Fly Safe -- George
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JT
My take on the big burn:
A year later, things seem to be pretty much back to normal at Kagel. There isn't any tall vegetation but a lot of the low sage, weeds and grasses are back. I haven't noticed any consistent increase/decrease in bumpiness. A little choppy but summer always is. I think the changes are weather/condition related.
Immediately following the fire, we all noticed that the conditions were consistently marginal. My guess is that the homogeneity of the landscape prevented differential heating. This would account for the general buoyancy George mentioned but few good thermals.
For that reason, we who cross the gap to Tujunga and beyond are not all that fired up to go. We're kind of like the penguins gathered at the edge of the ice waiting for someone to jump in and check for sharks. Greblo's T-shirt tells the tale better: "Looks great! You go first."
A year later, things seem to be pretty much back to normal at Kagel. There isn't any tall vegetation but a lot of the low sage, weeds and grasses are back. I haven't noticed any consistent increase/decrease in bumpiness. A little choppy but summer always is. I think the changes are weather/condition related.
Immediately following the fire, we all noticed that the conditions were consistently marginal. My guess is that the homogeneity of the landscape prevented differential heating. This would account for the general buoyancy George mentioned but few good thermals.
For that reason, we who cross the gap to Tujunga and beyond are not all that fired up to go. We're kind of like the penguins gathered at the edge of the ice waiting for someone to jump in and check for sharks. Greblo's T-shirt tells the tale better: "Looks great! You go first."
Thinking about it some more, I think Jim is right. The only time I noticed a particular increase was when a smaller area burned. Then it was better there (a little) than in the surrounding unburned areas. When it's all the same, things are just disorganized.
But again, this is not any scientific study, just spotty observation.
But it does look good. You go first. (That was great Jim. I LOL'd.)
But again, this is not any scientific study, just spotty observation.
But it does look good. You go first.
(That was great Jim. I LOL'd.)Fly High; Fly Far; Fly Safe -- George
