With an east wind at the BL of 5 to 10 Kts, I decided on FCY-Marks MS-Hazen-FCY, for 192sm.
Got everything ready and talked Bill into taking a short lunch to give me a tow.(thanks Bill).
Launched at 12:23 and got into lift right away. Since we're still in the stone age with the
logger technology, I was using our new cameras and took a picture of FCY as practice before
heading out. I had told myself that I would not loiter too long any place because I knew I
would be racing against time with the lift. The leg to Marks took 2+20 and I felt I could
have been more aggressive in the first 20 miles. The CUs were well placed and averaged 2-4 knots.
I've got the new Tasman V1000 audio/vario and love the averager and audio quality.
I feel it really helps me out. The entire day was spent between 2000 and 4000 ft.
With the narrow altitude band(I was really hoping for tops to 6-7000). it seemed I was
alway looking for the next thermal. I told myself just keep pressing ahead. The landout
chances were real and with Team Vihlen(Ryan and Nolan) ready with the Bronco and trailer
ready anytime, it took of a lot of pressure off. It got a little stagnated over the river,
but I knew the parking lot at Isle of Capri Casino would offer a thermal. Sure enough the
next 20 miles to Marks was OK. Low point was over Marks(1800) while trying to maneuver for
the turnpoint picture. Once I turned the corner I knew I would have a 10 kt tailwind and
hopefully the strongest part of the day. Still good thermals, but not the strength I was
hoping for. It's amazing one's mental state and how it changes directly with the altitude
above the ground. Real elation to real potential panic!
Once I crossed the river westbound, I found myself doing a lot of thermalling but less
driving downwind. At least my ground speed was 10kts with the tailwind. The sky still
looked the same, but I started hearing reports from nearer the field (Legal Eagle) that
there was some weather moving toward the area from the east. Lightning included. I felt
I could continue west, but it might get interesting after the second turn. Using the computer,
I was looking at the options ahead. Should I turn home now and beat the weather, or press
ahead and if needed land at Hazen (TP) or maybe Brinkley if it's slow in coming. Once I got
to Holly Grove(nice field), I figured Clarendon was halfway between me and Hazen and I could
probably make the turnpoint. But, as I left Holly Grove, the CUs were starting to thin to
the west(about 4:30). I knew I didn't have as much time as I had hoped for. Isn't this
always the case?! The radio was filled with chatter about rain over the field now. I really
thought this flight was going to end here and now. I continued on towards Clarendon. I had the
glide, but if nothing else developed, I'd be landing at Clarendon. Still finding lift but
looking west looked grim. I continued to Clarendon.
Over Clarendon came the crucial decision, I think every flight like this has one. Do I
continue to just fly the planned route and go as far as possible or do I cut the corner
and try and make it home and maybe save a retrieve - if I make it that far? Well, I lucked out.
Looking north I saw the climbing smoke of a developing fire. Hallelujah! North I went with not a
second thought. I pointed the nose down gaining lots of speed knowing that it would all be made up
climbing in the booming lift of the fire. I'd rather be lucky than good any day! Well this fire
took me to the highest altitude of the day (5300') but still 500' below glide slope. And the sky
looked dark towards home. Not out of the woods yet. As I looked towards Brinkley, (10sm) I
lucked out again and saw another fire burning. Amazing, I might just make it back. Back up
to cloud base again and whistling a little tune now, I put FCY on the nose knowing I was
going to make it. As a nice bonus, the rain shower that ! had moved over the field earlier
had dissipated and now it was mostly a broken layer above. The last 10 miles were dead, but
it didn't matter any more. I got over the field at 3400' and let out a big sigh of relief.
What a day. No Diamond, but what a great flight and a great experience. 5 hrs 10 mins.
161 statute miles. Short of the Diamond by only 25 miles. Definitely one for the books.
Can't wait for the next time!
By the way, Ryan and Nolan spent three hours airborne in the 2-33. Nolan flew the first hour
with a high altitude of 5300' and Ryan flew the last 2 hours. They stuck close by just in case
Dad needed a retrieve. I'm sure they could have logged some miles as well. Thanks guys!!
