WarBirds over Wilcox
Winds 22 to 25 this weekend at Wilcox. Several folks went for it and skied out but tandems stayed put. Check out the warbirds in the air as they made one of a few passes that day warming up for Veteran’s day.
I saw a lot of grinning pilots after we landed at the beach today……..
We took a full Eagle van plus a truck up to EJ Bowl. There were a lot of familiar faces, Ron, Bob, OJ, Cracka, Lee, Cort, Jackson, Neil, Chris, Peaches, Marge, Bart, another Neil, and a visiting pilot Greg. Cycles were coming in from the South East 5-10 at launch. It was on when we got there and most everybody got there gear going and into the air pretty quickly. Some pilots went west toward Alternator others opted to beat it into the wind going East to R&R. After boating around for a bit above launch I opted to head to R&R. Several pilots were already established and climbing quickly there. There was abundant lift with some spicy edges. As Cracka would say “It’s on like donkey kong!”. Managed about 4600ft at R&R and headed over to thermal factory. Smooth glide over and then seemed to be some mixing winds over thermal factory. Some strong climbs. It was fun to gaggle up with friends and climb out. Tried pushing East a few times but never committed to it. Bounced around out front and kept fading back to the thermal factory and the back ridge (thermal drift was fast). Several people made it West to Alternator and then went East down range. A few made it back and landed at the beach. I maxed out my altitude and decided to head for the beach. I knew the AVP was in town at West Beach so headed toward the wharf. A little too spicy for pic’s in the mountains so here are a few from the smooth buoyant glide out looking at the volleyball tournament and the cruise ship.
Max alt 4852ft
It’s good to be alive! Let’s do it again tomorrow.
-Jon
Heading out from the riviera
Cort out front
heading over to AVP tournament
Cort heading out to check out the cruise ship
The AVP!
Looking back at the AVP and coastline
Looking towards Summerland/Carp
Bart coming in to East Beach
Cracka!
unnnnhhhhh!
Don’t worry folks, I got this!
Well at least I didn’t land in the ice plant………
come on honey let’s get away from this guy before he spills your wine again
Grant
Grant coming in smooth as ice
Little John was so spec’d out we lost him for a while. Here he is banking it up to get down to the beach.
LJ coming in hot!
Everybody likes to watch the hg’s land
Spot on landing
Met Cracka, Bob, Bart and Dave B at parma at 11:30ish. We took Bart’s van and headed up to EJ Bowl. Bo and another visiting pilot were setup on launch and checking out the conditions. It was blowing in nice between 5-10 miles per hour. We didn’t waste any time, got setup and ready to go. Aaron hucked first with Bo and the visiting pilot on his heals. Bob A. went next and I followed him. Bart was off next and Dave right behind him. It was quickly an air party! Nice lift at launch and everyone easily made it over to tag La Cumbre peak and climb out. Bob headed over to R&R and we all eventually followed, climbing out there and then heading to Thermal Factory. Good lift all over….with typical rough edge here and there but pretty mellow overall.
Bob continued to head down range and Aaron and Dave followed. Bart and I hung out as we watched them scratch low for a bit down range. Eventually they all got some lift, Bob and Aaron headed back toward Parma, Dave took the glide out to Summerland Beach. Bart and I headed out to East Beach. Easy buoyant glide out with butter smooth air. All landed safely, it was a good day!
Max Alt. 4290ft Max up. 800fpm Max down. 700fpm 1 hr 20 min flight
