Mike and I are going to J's Ridge today SW wind will be awesome for some DS'n...........................

Peterson Butte was great today. Soarable from 08:30 to 2:00 pm. One small shower, then the rain started at 2pm.

Winds started SSE 10 and built up to SW 18.

I flew:

ASH-25 ; DG-1000; Le Fish ; and my 1st flights on my new AldiiJ

Three hang-gliders flying too, plus the usual assortment of eagles and hawks. A great day!

Good call Pat. The forecast graph called for 100% chance of precip by 11 am or I would have gone. How'd you like the AldiJ?

I'd never guessed it would be so good today.
Here in Mac it started raining about 08:30 and didn't quit all day, and no real wind to speak of either.
Glad you got some flying in Pat.

Originally Posted by PDX Slope Pilot

Good call Pat. The forecast graph called for 100% chance of precip by 11 am or I would have gone. How'd you like the AldiJ?

The NOAA forecast graph did show the POP increasing from 25% to over 90% coinciding with the wind jumping in velocity at 11:00.

But the 1hr precipitation forecast from MM5 showed Corvallis staying dry until 1pm even though Astoria, Portland, and Salem were getting rained on.

MM5 was right, it did not rain until 2pm.

The AldiiJ flies great! I need to install the ballast tube. It is very smooth and stable, yet aerobatic and responsive enough. The price was right, and it transports easily with removable V-tail and 3-piece wing. Looks like a winner to me!

Today in light SW winds and lots of thermals, I hiked halfway up Peterson Butte to the SW facing slope where the paragliders sometimes launch from, threw out the Gentle Lady sailplane, and then hiked on up to near the top. I know the GL was WAY up above the towers. I got a close view of lots of beautiful Bald Eagles thermalling near me on their way up to the loftier altitudes where the GL was flying. Then after about half an hour I started hiking down toward the usual launch/ landing area. Totally airtime was about 1 hour and my transmitter battery was starting to fade when I landed the GL!

My only regret is that I didn't strap on of those keychain video camera on! Would have been amazing views...

Don't try this with your twitchy supership.... it's hard to keep an eye on the plane while negotiating those muddy slopes, cow trails, and blackberry bushes...


Steve

Sounds like one of those perfect days at PB Steve. I still remember a day like that I had years ago at PB. Nice job. I remember when Dieter launched his Stork from the top and walked down that hillside as he scratched for lift. That takes concentration and balance!

Don't do this:

Launch a sailplane from the steeper part of a muddy snow-covered hill and slip as you launch it.

Madly scramble after your dropped transmitter as it slides down the hill on the snow, giving full spoilers and random rudder controls.

Luckily, some semblance of control was achieved in time to avert total re-kitting.

Sounds like a nice day Steve. Will and I had one of those back in December. PB is kinda weird when you don't need to have a jacket on to fly
Tom

Slope weather alert:

Friday and Sunday are looking good for PB. I have to work on Friday, though.

Keep us posted on your thoughts about the wx Pat. I'd like to go on Sunday.

Sunday is looking like it's really dying down. Tomorrow is still looking OK. I'm going to see if I can play hookie for a few hours around lunch and head over.
Tom

Didn't miss much at PB today. Got there around 1pm and left around 2:30. Wind was light, rain was moderate, clouds were heavy
Flew a HLG in between rain (well, actually when the rain was just a light shower) and had enough wind for that, but not much else.
Sunday's looking pretty calm now. Just have to wait for what later in the week brings.
Tom

Yeah, the weather prediction has changed.

I might be going to Ecola St. Park tomorrow. Looks too light at Peterson Butte on both Sat and Sun

At ecola right now and it is SW 13 and perfect!