The AHGA's XC Contest 2009

This was my first flight on Sunday May 15th.

With a clear plan to get up to ceiling and then head W for the casino everything was set. Thing was, as ever, conditions weren't making it simple for everyone to get the elevation to go over the back. In fact, the lift had all but shut down when I made a final venture down the E finger in front of the Sth facing launch on Sth Mtn.

Finally I hooked one and made it to around 3200, enough I figured to get over the saddle and hope for better lift on the other side. First part was spot on, but there was nothing worth turning in all the way to the dirt.

Never mind, as there was still enough day left to give it another shot.

It's been a big week for PG xc, with Dustin breaking the South Mountain record.

My two xc flights are small by comparison, but both underscore the new found determination I share with local PGs to get away from the hill and make the best of conditions. The flight details logged here are from my second flight. I'll add the first shortly.

At least three pilots launched on Sunday planning to fly West toward the casino and then back. Well, two out of three managed to get over the back of the South launch and some form of xc, in what proved less amenable conditions than we had expected. The third feels he missed a good opportunity to at least get over the saddle. A fourth pilot arriving late also made it over the back, but was quickly grounded by the blustery Westerly that stunted my progress.

Whoopdy-do some may say, but my point is that there is a new zeal for xc among the PGs. Last year's comp definitely played a role. Somehow, just getting points on the board was a cherished accomplishment, even if just for a retrieve. Carlos and Dustin left the rest of us in their wing wake, but that was to be expected. The rest of us have a taste for more "sporty" air and are learning fast.

As the season opens on Mingus with the immaculate new PG friendly launch, lips are smacking! As a pilot told me on Sunday, "I can't wait to get in the air at a site where I don't have to worry about (many) radio towers, power lines and a low ceiling."

This is just the start of the story....BRING IT!