oliver gregory <<email>> writes:

www.tennesseetreetoppers.org

http://lucasridley.blogspot.com/

We had a great talk on 'Scratchin' last night by Dennis Pagen and got to try some of it out today.

Tasks for C pilots was Henson's to Dr Dale's for 8.3 miles. The B's task was Henson's to Dr. Dales then turn into the light winds to goal at Galloway AP for 13.7 miles. The A's task was 25.54 miles from Henson's to Dr. Dales, on to Galloway, then Henson's and back to Dr. Dales. A's are always charged with the tough task of helping their C's and B's go XC!

It was a tough high pressure day with a slow start. High pressure kinda wait around day on launch with only bubbles for the birds and no one wanting to launch. Expert wind technician Greg Heckman couldn't get up initially. Eventually it got good enough for a few to start some climbs close to the LZ. After a few low saves and lots of weak climbs, it started looking like there was enough for people to give it a try.

Still was a tough day for some of the C level pilots to climb and many made more than one flight. Many, many soared. Several made their goals. I launched early and saved from over the LZ, then thermalled for almost 4 hours. It got good late. Top of the lift late was 8350 MSL or 6000' over take off.

Tonight, Mike Barber is giving us a great talk about Soaring and XC decision making with what we did today as fodder for discussion. Lots of great questions from excited pilots! FUN!

The TTT locals fed us till we are all about to pop with grilled chicken, pork ribs and loads of sides! Thanks Lee Team and everyone! Tomorrow looks like a lot of clouds, but west winds and decent early. May shut down early with a weak, almost dry frontal passage. After that we will fly till we're too sore to soar!