TWO MORE DIAMONDS LAST WEEK
Mike Koerner:
I had an unsuccessful diamond attempt on Friday. Whether I launched too early, released too low, cen- tered poorly, searched ineffectively, dumped my ballast too late, or more likely, some combination of the above, the result was a landing back at Crystal.
I tried again Saturday and landed at Gabbs.
Though the lift was strong, the flight was challenging. First, the day started late. Second the wind at altitude was strong enough (22 knots) to break up the thermals. And finally, it was a headwind. Normally, we try to avoid this when flying straight out, but avoidance wasn’t pos- sible this time. If you didn’t thermal effectively, you’d drift back into your previous thermal in no time, with nothing to show for your effort.
My crew also had some significant challenges. Apparently, my aircraft radio was barely audible. I’ll have to figure out what’s wrong with it. But more importantly, the crew car’s air conditioning gave up the ghost. Fran reported an outside air temperature of 102 degrees while driving past Inyokern with all the windows down. Getting the A/C repaired will be the top priority this week.
Sean Eckstein:
Saturday had some interesting conditions towards Gabbs, NV. I towed to the second ridge by Crystal and climbed to 12k, then to 11k, then to 10k. When I reached 9.5k I decided that the next thermal I get that takes me above 11k, I’m leaving no matter what. I was able to climb to 12.4k and left on course with a NE wind at 15 kts. plus.
Wind direction and strengths changed all thought-out the flight. In thermals you could watch you altimeter instead of your vario as you climbed in 10 kts. once peaking to 20 kts in strength. Some 5 kts. thermals you would wish you could just center the darn thing.
The winds on the Whites were 284°/17 kts. so I decided to go all the way to Boundary to avoid any rotor. Winds were predicted to turn north in the area to the north, and at Boundary the winds changed to a North 10 kts - 13 kts. headwind. I left Boundary at 17k and reached the foothills north of Mina at 9.6k, I climbed to 14.5k and had Gabbs made landing at 7:05 PM.
While breaking down my glider I heard Mike (CF) and Fran making a commotion, I look to see them both holding Mikes glider surround by a dust devil. As the dust devil passes them Mike hollers “DUST DEVIL”. At that point I realize it’s coming my way. I held onto the one wing that was left on my glider, Peter (6PK) closes my canopy (unlocked) and runs over to protect my horizontal setting in the dolly next to my trailer. Luckily the dust devil hadn’t gained strength and passed both gliders doing no damage.
We all got broke down and drove south leaving Gabbs watching for suicidal cows on Hwy 361.