The Blipmap looked terrific. Cloud bases to 6000'- Updraft velocity 500 fpm, winds out of the south at 5 mph. There was some T-storms in the forecast for late afternoon.
We had 11 tows counting one aerial retrieve. Steve Vihlen launched first with the club barograph and a declared intent to fly a gold distance of 300 KM (186.4 miles) cross country. The LegalEagle launched second with a camera and a declared intent to fly a silver distance of 50 KM (31.07 miles) or silver duration of 5 hours. The LegalEagle punched off tow at 12:33 P.M. according to the sworn testimony from official witnesses and the tow pilot.
Charles Burnett launched in the L-13; Phil Morgan in Yellowbird; the 2-33 launched with Ryan Vihlen in the back seat and brother Nolan in the front; Dick Cadieux in his ASW; Nate Lemmon in the 1-26; Frank Dibianca in the Russia; Bill Lawrence in the LS-4; and Tony Smith in the Grob.
About half of the fleet went north and the other half went south. LegalEagle and Yellowbird played together between Haynes and Frost for about an hour. Libelle Vihlen headed straight south for Hazen AR which is about 35 miles south of Helena and his plan was to turn west and fly a triangle. The Russia and ASW were also in the southern group.
The cloud bases were higher north over the ridge. Bill Lawrence hit 6700' in the LS-4 north of Wynne. Phil Morgan heard of this and headed Yellowbird north to join them. LegalEagle, Russia and ASW went south to Marianna.
On the way down we could hear Eddie King and a group flying out of Edwards gliderport near Little Rock. Apparently, they were practicing for the Fun Fly. However, they had a tow pilot who lost the gliderport. We never did hear if he found it or not.
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