LSXC Update #7 (June 28, 29, 30 2004)

We arrived in Edinburg on Sat., June 26, pulling into the Echo Hotel around 11 pm. Just a few minutes ahead of the Brits! This year we packed light, bringing only 2 winches and some miscellaneous equipment for towing PG pilots.

On Sunday we drove out to the airport and WOW...what a different environment! At first we thought we had pulled up to a new golf course. The entire valley is a very healthy green. This year has brought more rain in the past few months than its seen over the past 10 years. Fortunately though we've been able to fly since Monday morning.

Josh Cohn, Bill Belcourt, Aussie Ron McKenzie, and the Brits Tim Guilford, Lou Maurice, Richard Westgate, Stuart Martin, and Martin Cray are all here with high hopes (and dry hopes :-). The Brits have 2 tandem teams attempting a world record, flying the new Gradient Bi-Golden tandem glider, provided by Snowdon Gliders. They are also filming their flying adventures for a production they're putting together to show over in the UK.

On Monday, Josh and Bill both launched around 1pm. Conditions weren't optimum, but winds were 15-20 mph (S-SE) and it was worth getting in the air for a fun flight. Josh was able to get about 900' before the weak-link broke, causing him to return to the launch area and bag it so he could chase Bill, who got about a 1500' tow and was able to get away from the airport, flying along Hwy 281 then cutting over to Hwy 1017 and ending his flight about 43 miles out.

Tuesday conditions were a little better with winds very similar to Monday. Richard Westage and Stuart Martin towed up in their tandem around 11 am, with Tim Guilford and Lou Maurice following right behind them. Josh, Ron McKenzie and Bill launched shortly thereafter, before noon. Richard and Stuart were able to get a 30 mile flight, got rained on and landed on a ranch out on Hwy. 1017. Tim and Lou made it just beyond the airport and decided to not try re-launching because winds were picking up. Ron was able to get about 14 miles out, landing on 1017. Steve and I took him the rental car and he chased Josh and Bill who flew to Hebbronville, about 80 miles. They landed because the sky was becoming shaded and rain was just out ahead of them. They kindly introduced Ron to Dairy Queen in the "happening" town of Hebbronville...with the DQ ice cream and all!

It wasn't raining today, but skies were somewhat overcast and clouds were ominous. The winds were S-SE at 10-15 mph. Richard and Martin Cray did a practice tow and landing. They also used the flight to get some footage of the airport. Then Richard and Stuart took a flight with Stuart as PIC. Tim and Martin took a tandem flight and getting away from the airport. Shortly after leaving the airport we had the honor of listening to Tim belting out "Singing in the Rain". They flew about 10 miles out. It was all for fun and just getting in the air, practicing up for the big flights soon to come!