GRAND FINALE

It's been a difficult year for our Crystal Squadron pilots, but they finished off the season in fine style last week with long flights to the north.  Here is Dave Raspets account

We had a first-time Crystal Squadron member-Richard Smolinski flew Tango Whiskey with us.   6PK (Peter Kovari) and C3 (Karl Sommers) led out and TW followed.  I brought up the rear to provided WT any help if he needed it, He didn't need any, he flew up to Boundary Peak then returned to Bishop to land.  Richard had experience flying at Bishop but needed to fill in the gaps of getting to the Sierra and to the cross-over points at Lone Pine.  Richard says he'll be ready for next year!

Dr Jack promised better lift than last Saturday with no concern for low Buoyancy to Shear, less wind velocity though, with really good lift in Nevada.  He delivered; the thermals were still rough but nothing like last week.  My average climb rate was 3.1 knots compared to last week's 2.7 knots. I was still 30 miles behind 6PK and C3 when I got to Gabbs so I settled for a landing there.  My first trip to Gabbs was in 2001, I've made 21 more since then, the airport hasn't changed much except now we have cell phone coverage there.

Dave