By Jeff Struthers
The Electroglide for this month went pretty well. Weather conditions were on the cool side with Lindberg field reporting a light easterly breeze at 3 mph. It seemed stronger at our field when the first launch started with seven pilots tossing their aircraft up into a cloudy sky.
Dennis LaBerg found some thermals against the odds, proving again the adage to “watch your airplane “, keeping his turns and stick movements to a minimum. Dennis had the longest flight of the first launch of 6 min. 30 sec.
On the second launch, Bob Stinson and Scott Vance both found some lift to eke out flights of 6 min. 17 sec. each with Bob adding a 20-point landing credit.
By the third launch, the sun had come out and it was back to Dennis with a flight of 6: 22 and a 20-point landing credit.
The forth launch into the improving sky found shorter times aloft with Scott Vance getting a time of 5:03.
The first place winner went to Bob Stinson with a total points of 174. Second place went to Dennis LaBerg at 145 points, third place was Fred Daugherty with 142 points.
Skip Babbitt flew in the open class with a slippery looking hot liner. All other aircraft were new and old style Radians.
As you know, this kind of flying is all about paying close attention to your airplane. It’s watching the wings for a telltale wiggle of a thermal just passed or sudden altitude change without the elevator input. It’s good training and takes concentration.
Remember, point totals will be added up at the end of our flying season with awards going to 1st, 2nd and 3rd place finishers. Next launch is March 19th, 9:30 a.m.
Until then,
Jeff
Launching
Paying attention
