Return of the Falcon League
Posted: Wed Jun 19, 2019 8:31 am
Several years ago, the Falcon League became a somewhat regular thing on alternate Saturdays, and I think it's time to bring it back to life. In case the Falcon League doesn't sound familiar, the idea is to put experienced pilots on introductory gliders, and find some challenging cross-country flying right here at our home site. During the Falcon League's first run, we explored several interesting launches including Mt. Lukens, the 1500, the 2200, and a road turnout or two along the way. Pilots landed back on top of Kagel and the 2200, in Sand Canyon, and in eight different LZs between West Towers and the Big T wash.
A couple common criticisms of Sylmar is that there are few places to land out, and that it's a "fishbowl" where we go around and around between West Towers and Big T or thereabouts. There's an easy solution: fly a Falcon! Cross-country basically begins beyond a glide of the LZ, and one can get there pretty fast on a single surface glider. From the perspective of a single-surface glider, we have a great cross-country site. The mountain range is three times as big as it is on a topless glider, there are plenty of LZs, and they generally have easy retrieves.
While we may be flying introductory hang gliders, venturing cross country always requires advanced skills. We are launching, landing, and scratching low in unusual places, and reliable landings are essential. If you're an H-4 pilot interested in playing this game, or an advanced H-3 with solid launch and landing skills, let's plan to meet in the LZ at noon on Saturday. Depending on the weather, we'll decide then what our goal will be. Some possibilities include:
* Launch Towers, stay local, and land at the base of the dam for the sake of remembering how to land somewhere different on a single surface glider.
* Launch Kagel and fly open distance to the East. Land at Beehives, or the Big T Wash, or wherever we end up.
* Fly a competition task to West Towers, Lances, and back. The instrument skills are identical with those for more serious comps.
* Launch from Mount Lukens and land in the Big T wash.
* Go explore some emergency LZs. It's still better than sitting on the couch at home.
If you have a Falcon, perhaps I can inspire you to dust it off and join in. Gliders other than Falcons are welcome, but the less performance, the better. For those without a single-surface glider, Windsports will often rent one on generous terms. By the way, it helps hugely to have a ham radio. One that works. So you can talk AND listen. With charged batteries. Seriously.
Please let me know if you’re interested, and hopefully we'll have a crowd on Saturday, June 22, at noon in the LZ!
A couple common criticisms of Sylmar is that there are few places to land out, and that it's a "fishbowl" where we go around and around between West Towers and Big T or thereabouts. There's an easy solution: fly a Falcon! Cross-country basically begins beyond a glide of the LZ, and one can get there pretty fast on a single surface glider. From the perspective of a single-surface glider, we have a great cross-country site. The mountain range is three times as big as it is on a topless glider, there are plenty of LZs, and they generally have easy retrieves.
While we may be flying introductory hang gliders, venturing cross country always requires advanced skills. We are launching, landing, and scratching low in unusual places, and reliable landings are essential. If you're an H-4 pilot interested in playing this game, or an advanced H-3 with solid launch and landing skills, let's plan to meet in the LZ at noon on Saturday. Depending on the weather, we'll decide then what our goal will be. Some possibilities include:
* Launch Towers, stay local, and land at the base of the dam for the sake of remembering how to land somewhere different on a single surface glider.
* Launch Kagel and fly open distance to the East. Land at Beehives, or the Big T Wash, or wherever we end up.
* Fly a competition task to West Towers, Lances, and back. The instrument skills are identical with those for more serious comps.
* Launch from Mount Lukens and land in the Big T wash.
* Go explore some emergency LZs. It's still better than sitting on the couch at home.
If you have a Falcon, perhaps I can inspire you to dust it off and join in. Gliders other than Falcons are welcome, but the less performance, the better. For those without a single-surface glider, Windsports will often rent one on generous terms. By the way, it helps hugely to have a ham radio. One that works. So you can talk AND listen. With charged batteries. Seriously.
Please let me know if you’re interested, and hopefully we'll have a crowd on Saturday, June 22, at noon in the LZ!