Well the forecast I gave was apparently accurate enough.  Good turnout today and I know several people topped 10K MSL including Dirk (10,500 MSL) while giving a first time ride in the Krosno (launched around 12:30?), and yours truely in my Pilatus (also 10.5K, launch at 1:35).  Neither of us tried to top things out.  My friend Bill Sodequist topped 12K earlier in his hang glider by the towers before heading XC.  It was a bit breezy and some high clouds came in, but neither seemed to temper the lift.  I should probably quit now while I am batting 100% on predictions, but I think tomorrow (Sunday) will be as good or even better than today.  Wednesday is looking nice too but not as big as this weekend.  Come on out and get some.

Be aware that with the new SOP's and runway rules, launching your glider may take longer than usual, so plan ahead and maybe come out a little earlier, or expect some delays.  If everyone on the flight line is prepared and helps each other out, things will run more smoothly or more quickly.  I will stick my neck out and try to give a heads ups for more potentially promising days, from time to time, but there will be plenty of awesome days ahead, that I won't be watching for, so get out and fly either way.  Some of my most enjoyable or memorable flights have been on what should have been marginal or average days.

See you in the air, Alan

The LESC Standard Operating Procedures, Rev. 22 has been published and the SOP Quiz has been updated to reflect the changes we discussed in today’s Membership Meeting.  Both the SOP and SOP Quiz are now in effect and available on the web site.  The LESC Area Of Operation KMZ file for viewing in Google Earth is also available on the web site.

Glider pilots are required to acknowledge these SOP changes before a Tow Pass will be issued.

The grass has been cut to the west side of the new 29L.  It kind of looks like you might be able to land there.  DO NOT attempt to land there.  It is full of ruts, bumps , debris, and there are 2 large pieces of concrete hiding right in the middle of the strip. 

If you didn't come out today, you missed out. With the passage of the low pressure front, we had great lift and as you can see the Ortega convergence was working and easy to find. The shortest flight of the day was the first one, but everything else went up and stayed up.

We are postponing the cookout because the weather forecast looks questionable for Sat.  It is now tenatively set for April 14.  

Remider: Sat March 17 cookout.  Bring side dish/drinks/lawn chairs.  All are welcome. 

Despite the seemingly mild conditions and gentle wind from the NW straight down the runway,  high barometric pressure and "poor" soaring forecast,  today was actually a pretty good day for flying.  I saw crows circling up in the bowl, and Gary towed me to the exact spot, in the 1-26.  I got off after a 3K tow, and found weak bumps of what seemed like ridge lift.  That kept me up for a while, then I went further west and found a weak thermal giving me 2-up. I circled and adjusted, and tightened my circles, and the 2-up gradually rose to 6-up, lifting me up to 7000 ft.  I tooled around for 1 1/2 hours, then had to come down because I was getting cold.  After diving back down with full spoilers to 3000 ft, I was finding weak lift everywhere.   I had to keep the spoilers on to get down. It was fun.