Here are debriefs from X-C flights out of Crystal these past two weeks:
Sean Eckstein:
The forecast showed good conditions in the Owens Valley, but getting there was going to be tough. Altitudes in the mountains south of Crystal were predicted to reach 12.5k and later in the day 13.5k. But heading north towards the mountains near Tehachapi the altitudes were predicted to be 7.5K, the higher altitudes were over the flats down the middle of the valley.
I left the mountains at Crystal after a slow climb at 12.8k, then connected with lift at Rosamond and climbed above 9k. I did not head toward the mountains at this point because of the low altitudes that were predicted, and I could see a low level of smoke on top of the mountains. I flew to California City airport in -2 knot sink before connecting with any lift at 7.4k.
I climbed above 9k at California City and headed for the El Paso mountains by Red Rock Pass. I spent 40 minutes scratching, and as I struggled I could see the low-level smoke spilling down the mountains into the valley. The cooler air formed a shear line, and I was finally able climb to 8.5k which allowed me to continue north toward Inyokern.
I was able to glide to Boomer ridge, the local rough house thermal, and climb to 9k finally on top of the mountains only to get flushed out into the valley again. Out in front of the foothills I was able to climb to 11k and glided to a landing at Olancha, never connecting with any lift along the way.
The day might not have been a Diamond day but the challenge was rewarding.
After a safe landing at Olancha my crew Peter (6PK) and I headed to California to meet up with Marty Elier and Chuck Coyne for dinner, a nice way to end the day.
Mike Koerner:
Karl and I flew to Austin.
I was going to wait for a good day, but my face started turning blue. I decided to go on Sunday, which was better than Saturday, but the forecast was still deeply flawed. The lift wouldn’t reach 500 ft/min until 11, it wouldn’t reach 12,000 until after noon, and it would end at 6. As Karl pointed out, the narrow window was due to residual heat – the desert, and the air above it, had been baking for days.
A TFR that overhung the Sierra crest required a diversion toward the valley. With a westerly component to the winds aloft, I didn’t think I could get back on. Once past the TFR, I dove for a low spot on the ridge with little hope of arriving above the trees. But low and behold, I ran into a good thermal just before the rim, with more than enough room to circle.
About then, Fran quit responding to my “Next alternate” updates. I couldn’t get a text out either. I proceeded north but was a little concerned that she might have turned in her badge and gone home. Eventually, Rose called Fran’s cell and relayed the good news that Fran was still coming. The crew radio was receiving, but suddenly unable to transmit.
The flight went well, zooming along the Whites under cu and out into Nevada. But time had run out. The clouds turned fuzzy. The music stopped. The dance was over.