October 11 produced big smiles for 6 of the 7 pilots who took part: one pilot could only manage a “Sheez – at least I made it back!”. And CISS set a new club record for the most pilots to turn in scores on the same day – cool.
Unexpectedly, mother nature produced good, no make that great, soaring conditions even with a light wind out of the SSE. The temps reached about 80 deg to generate lift to over 6000’ msl. Most pilots assembled unenthusiastically, but once airborne, the mood changed as they went through the start gate at nearly 5000’. Although blue over the field, there was a cloud field starting about 20 miles west of the airport. Some pilots headed straight there, while some ventured north first, expecting the clouds to fill in towards the east. That never happened, so the scores partially reflect the direction of flight, especially in the early going. Ron Clarke, winner for the day headed directly west into the cumulus to begin his 108 mile flight. Scot Ortman had an incredible (for Indiana)288 fpm average lift by heading straight west also. Coming home he must have been so excited about the flight, he forgot to finish above the minimum 1000’ agl height and incurred a minor scoring penalty.
Most pilots never got below about 3500’ msl which made for comfortable flying, although not quite as much in the blue. However, as Todd Rutledge found out, lift below this band was elusive and weak: he made no less than four saves from under 1000’ above the ground. His first words after landing were “I never worked so hard”.
Here are the aggregate scores so far this year (best 4 flights/pilot). We have two more weekends left.
Cumulative
Standings Points Flights Team Standings Points Flights
Clarke 4,379 4 Ristow/Taylor 3,935 4
Hays 4,094 4 Saunders/Ruble 3,914 4
Taylor 3,880 4 DeWitt/Lazaga 3,535 4
Simpson 3,830 4 Bedwell/Newill 2,392 3
Nichols 3,746 4
Rutledge 3,723 4
Saunders 3,470 4
Ristow 3,346 4
Wools 3,335 4
DeWitt 2,946 4
Lazaga 1,934 2
Newill 1,520 2
Ruble 1,033 1
Bedwell 872 1
Ortman 750 1
