A Sled Ride - Scratchy, Uphill, Downwind Landing!

Summary of flying for Saturday 20 April 2013
Total Hours0h 05m
Best Height Gain0 feet
Total Flights1

It had been a while since I last enjoyed a sled ride! The expected perfect conditions did not materialise; or I should have arrived an hour earlier, evident by those established high above. I rigged my glider and with a sea breeze imminent, grabbed an opportunity to squeeze a top to bottom in.


Everyone else chilled on the hill and did not look motivated to fly, so I clipped in, hang checked myself and launched. As expected, I barely maintained and after a couple of beats back and forth a paraglider launched for a top to bottom. Unfortunately for me, the paraglider launched into the little bit of sky that seemed to work and as I turned away to give him room I hit sink! When I turned back I was now well below ridge height and destined for the bottom landing field.


We were supposed to be using the adjacent field to the one I was headed for, but I was too low to successfully make it. With everyone else also landed in the 'wrong' field, I tried my best to limit the impact and decided to land the glider uphill at the side of the field. As I turned onto final I realised that uphill was also downwind! I flared aggressively and successfully landed, if not with a little run to counter the downwind component!



Flying Log(s)


TypeHill Launch
DateSat, 20 Apr 2013 - 12:30
GliderAirBorne Sting 3:168
SiteSwanborough
Duration00h 05m
CommentsWith a risk of a sea breeze, it was time for a quick top to bottom. Made a little more interesting with an uphill, downwind landing!
Height Gain0 ft
Distance
Total Hours57h 40m

Total Flying Statistics

The total flying statistics up to and including 20 Apr 2013:

Total Hours57h 40m
Longest Flight1h 20m
Gliders Flown4
Unique Sites Flown20
Best Height Gain3,000 feet
Total Distance28.6 km
Furthest Flown13.4 km
Total Flights228
Hill Launches106
Winch Launches103
Aerotow Launches19