Instead of doing the 4 hour slope duration for LSF IV, like many flat landers I have been attempting a second 1 hour thermal duration for several months. I achieved my first one 9/16/01, and since then I have made at least 5 other attempts that exceeded 40 minutes.
Today I had to work hard, but I landed my ICON 1:10:41 after launch, right in my hand. The first 20 minutes were easy, launched and specked right out. The next 40 minutes was a lot of work. The wind picked up, the sky clouded over and thermals scattered. I was low, then high, downwind then upwind, always moving, following any thermal I could ride for awhile, and then scoot to the next ride as patiently as possible. Sneidley and one point commented on a good save, and all I could say is that I know this is not over yet. Heck, I wasn't pass the evil 40 minute threshold at that point. At about 55 minutes in, I was in bad shape, low and over a tree line by the rangers house at our field that occasionally kicks a thermal, and TK and Charlie were playing with a DLG in the cut grass next to me and I hear TK mention that he has air to Charlie. I bee lined for the field, I about had to at this point anyway, and formed up underneath this DLG that was about 40' and cored in a light thermal. I dialed in a little camber and kept the ICON trucking. I told TK I was at about 56 and he bailed and let me own thermal, that was too kool. I carefully kept the ICON in this HLG sized light thermal and followed it across the field until it hit a tree line and broke loose. Cored, and I was away again. 8-)) At about 1:10 and still climbing away TK and others made it clear I should land make this flight count, so a high speed pass and a controlled landing into a hand catch, I am only a 2km goal and return from being level IV. I am all smiles, that flight felt good... especially after I landed. Jim Downers Grove, IL Member of the Chicago SOAR club, AMA 592537 LSF 7560 Level III ICQ 6997780 R/C Soaring Page at www.jimbacus.net RCSE-List facilities provided by Model Airplane News. Send "subscribe" and "unsubscribe" requests to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
