Feeders?

[Ripley]

I was out flying my 2meter the other day. A bright blue sky with white puffy gray bottomed cumulous clouds all over. Temp was 95F with winds 10 to 20MPH. I launched and wham! Lift was everywhere! What a day.

Two days later, identical conditions. I launched and couldn't find lift if you paid me! However I noticed something. Although the wind was identical to the day before (10 to 20mph), it was constantly switching back and forth from the south to the north. I couldn't decide which direction to land half of the time:) What was going on with the wind? Were there thermal feeders all over, and I just couldn't find the thermals that they were feeding? The field I fly in is roughly a mile and a half in diameter surrounded by trees and houses.

Any help would be appreciated.

[ICTHRMLS]

Sometimes the prettiest days are not the best thermaling days... the clear blue sky and a hot temperature won't ensure the presence of lift. One theory on the different conditions you experienced would be the arrival of an atmospheric high pressure system over your area - resulting in an abundance of sinking air. I'd bet that there weren't many "puffies" on the second outing compared to the GTD (great thermaling day) :D Conversly - some of the best lift can be found on a 40 degree day since it is a difference in temperature of surrounding areas that generate lift and not necessarily a hot temperature. Just a few thoughts.........:p

[Ollie]

The indications for the second day were that very strong thermals were to the north and south of your field since the 10 to 20 MPH winds were switching back and forth between those directions. Perhaps the reason you didn't catch one was that you were not ranging far enough to the north or south or that you were going in the wrong direction at any particular time. It takes some nerve and a plane with good penetration to follow the wind shift to where the thermal may be on such a strong day and then get back if you miss the thermal.

[Ripley]

Not having enough nerve applies to me allright. Very interesting. Thanks both of you. As a matter of fact I wasn't really venturing off too far that day.

[ramair]

for my 2 cents,i would be willing to bet that you were in between two buzy streets of thermals.
were the clouds lined up in streets,were you in dead air??? were you sinking more than usual??
I think the other guys hit it rite on the head,maybe you should have ventured out further or sometimes i just try a differant site on the way home ,,

[Ripley]

Just wanted to let you all know that I went back out to the same field yesterday. Same situation with the wind (blowing back and forth from both north and south). After I launched I ventured out much farther than usual. Right wingtip flinched upwards - Ripley turned right. Guess what I found? Yep your right, LIFT! About a 40 minute flight worth of it. It was quite enjoyable too. I was able to stay up for that length of time at about 200 to 300 ft! Too cool.