Sierra Nevada Safari - details
Here is what I see happening during the Safari. To my knowledge this has never been done for hanggliders, but a similar event has been done for sailplanes. The expected turn out for this event is unknown since it has never been done before. I expect that there will be at least two groups of pilots. One foot launch and the other both foot launch and platform launch. Within these two groups there will be splinter groups. Some will want to fly the same sites for two or three consecutive days. Some will fly balls-out XC.
Each morning there will be a meeting to try to determine what the expected weather for that day will be. Remember, we will probably be out in the middle of the desert so this kind of info could be limited. Then we'll try to fly to a potential launch site for the next day that is based on the median skill level of that particular group. This way we can expect that at least half the group will make the goal.
I am starting to compile information on sites that I know have been flown, that I have flown, and that I have been to that I never got the chance to fly. This info will be put into a directory to be given to those who sign up for the safari. In return, I'll ask that those pilots who fly during the safari fill out a simple form for each site that they fly. These forms can be given to me, or mailed (postal or electronic) to me after the safari.
The main objectives of the safari are:
1. To have fun flying different sites with a group of pilots in a non-competitive atmosphere.
2. Safety is a main key here because of where we will be flying.
3. Strengthen pilot skills of those pilots with less experience by flying with those who have a lot of experience.
My expectation is that as the safari progresses, the two groups will splinter and then wither. Not all days will be launchable, especially for those who will be foot-launch only. There will be some awesome flights that will inspire the participating pilots as well as those who will hear their stories.
There has been a group of sailplane pilots that have been flying near Ely during this time of year that have been covering HUGE amounts of miles.
Fly safe.
Dennis
Here is what I see happening during the Safari. To my knowledge this has never been done for hanggliders, but a similar event has been done for sailplanes. The expected turn out for this event is unknown since it has never been done before. I expect that there will be at least two groups of pilots. One foot launch and the other both foot launch and platform launch. Within these two groups there will be splinter groups. Some will want to fly the same sites for two or three consecutive days. Some will fly balls-out XC.
Each morning there will be a meeting to try to determine what the expected weather for that day will be. Remember, we will probably be out in the middle of the desert so this kind of info could be limited. Then we'll try to fly to a potential launch site for the next day that is based on the median skill level of that particular group. This way we can expect that at least half the group will make the goal.
I am starting to compile information on sites that I know have been flown, that I have flown, and that I have been to that I never got the chance to fly. This info will be put into a directory to be given to those who sign up for the safari. In return, I'll ask that those pilots who fly during the safari fill out a simple form for each site that they fly. These forms can be given to me, or mailed (postal or electronic) to me after the safari.
The main objectives of the safari are:
1. To have fun flying different sites with a group of pilots in a non-competitive atmosphere.
2. Safety is a main key here because of where we will be flying.
3. Strengthen pilot skills of those pilots with less experience by flying with those who have a lot of experience.
My expectation is that as the safari progresses, the two groups will splinter and then wither. Not all days will be launchable, especially for those who will be foot-launch only. There will be some awesome flights that will inspire the participating pilots as well as those who will hear their stories.
There has been a group of sailplane pilots that have been flying near Ely during this time of year that have been covering HUGE amounts of miles.
Fly safe.
Dennis