Sylmar Hang Gliding Association

OK - this doesn't quite match up the George's Out & Back record attempt but all 12 of us thought it was fun.

The 12 included Richard Shaw, Jeff Craig, Malury Silberman, Joe & Kris Greblo, Tom Schafer, Max Wagner, Freddy Wagner, Seth Pressly, Ken Andrews, Eric Brown, and myself. Drivers were Cathy Shaw (Richard's wife) & Dana.

Most pilots were in the Sylmar LZ by a little after 7am and were discussing the potential of OD with Joe. The probability seemed reasonable and the decision was made to go for it.

The goal was Trona Airport - 40 miles from Garlock launch. About 1PM Joe launched to show us were the lift was - although most of us know that just because Joe is climbing doesn't mean we will be able to "work it". I was next, followed by Seth. Within the next few minutes everyone else launched - time now was to find something worthwhile before heading down the range. Joe, Kris, Richard, and Jeff took off first after topping out somewhere around 7,500'. Meanwhile more than a few were struggling to keep from sinking out. I was in the middle - not high enough to join the first group but not wanting to "sit tight" and wait for the possibility of others to get high enough to follow the first group.

It what probably seemed like an eternity, Ken and Max climbed up and headed East in pursuit of the leaders. Hearing the news, Joe and company slowed up and waited for the others to catch up. The first 12 miles to Hwy 395 was slow - slightly over an hour. In the mean time several pilots just could not find & work the spotty lift and landed out along Garlock Road. After crossing Hwy 395 the pace quickened with just three more pilots landing out. Myself at 395 (almost 12 miles), Seth at about 14 miles, and Kris at about 20 miles.

By the time the chase vehicles reached the Airport, Joe, Jeff, Richard, and Ken were on the ground. A few minutes later Max landed.

The Sky God Award for the day goes to Max for reaching 12K just a few miles short of the airport.

Sounds like fun ? Join us next time!

Thanks for the report.

I think taking off and flying 12 miles and landing safely in a hang-glider is pretty impressive.

Not very many people can do that. Very few actually.

I would like to thank Don for his supreme organizational abilities. Without his commitment and love of the sport this trip wouldnt have happened.

Thanks Don for putting this trip together. Your a sky god for sure!

i second that. the trip was awesome! thanks to all the drivers and especially don for organizing everything.

where we going next?

ericbrown wrote:i second that. the trip was awesome! thanks to all the drivers and especially don for organizing everything.

where we going next?

okay, so I would like to know, how hot was it!!!!

Allen

it seemed like launch was about 95 when we took off. At 10000 it was a balmy 68. And in the LZ it was about 105 I think. The nice thing about the LZ though was there were hangars with planes in them that provided us with lots of shade which in the desert is like having A/C!. The folks there were really nice too.

Don wrote:OK - this doesn't quite match up the George's Out & Back record attempt but all 12 of us thought it was fun..........

The Sky God Award for the day goes to Max for reaching 12K just a few miles short of the airport......

Hey, I'm impressed. Every time I've gone to Garlock it has either sucked or it got too windy after an hour. And each time I have gone east I've gotten low and come back to launch with my tail between my legs before getting up again.

Good job!!!!

Oh, and I think that there's no reason not to go past Trona Airport into Panamint Valley. I've flown in the Panamint Mtns, and as long as it isn't too windy or southerly, it's relly nice. Of course, there's no shade, even in Ballarat.