Chiefs 5/5/01

From: Stall Myster
Activity_Date: 5/5/01
Remote Name: 32.100.79.125

Comments

Today, a bunch of us went to Chiefs, Ron, Bob, Bill, Tom B, Tom P, John, Benson, Eddie and myself (Hesham). Dylan caught up with us latter at launch.

The forecast this morning gave us much hope that today would be a better than average day in Ojai. With the north wind still lingering at altitude and hot surface temperature, the lapse rate looked promising. In addition, the balloon data indicated the top of the inversion was well below Chiefs.

However when we got to launch it seemed to be hotter than it was on the way up. Ron launched first and did not seem to find any workable lift until the middle bump. It was pretty much the same for everyone else with most of the lift out front. Even there, the lift was disorganized and it was very hard to stay in any thermal. Needless to say, it was also punchy with sharp edges.

After I got in the air, I flew out and started to work some lift near the middle bump. About 10-15 minutes into the flight, I was at launch height working between the middle bump and twin peaks. I had one wrap of the brakes in my hands and seemed to suddenly fall out the west side of the lift I was working while turning. I had a front tuck with a heading change to the right then the canopy rocked back severely behind me. Next thing I know, my blue canopy was directly in front of me in the 90 degree position. I fell through and the canopy went way behind me again. I applied a lot of brakes but this did not prevent the wing from shooting forward once again and repeating the exercise. As it went back behind me for the third stall, I extended my hands all the way below the harness and this time was able to arrest the canopy above me in parachutage mode. I was now falling quickly but with some semblance of control. I eased up and resumed normal flight. Thank God !

Ron and Bob H. witnessed part of the incident. They confirmed the wing was completely stalled. We estimate I lost 400-500 feet during this excercise. I figure I was in trouble for about 5 seconds. However, John reports that he saw me in trouble and then made a full 360 and came around and I was still in it !

I hung on for another 5 minutes trying to stay in the disorganized and turbulent lift and then headed out for the glide to Boccali's. Even during the glide over Ojai, the air was anything but smooth.

I am very surprised that my DHV 1 Gin Bolero exhibited this behaviour today. I am not sure if it was just a combination of the turbulence associated with being right at the top of the inversion and my rusty canopy control following the winter season; or if something is not right with the wing. I was quite heavily loaded at 86 Kg total in-flight weight which is right at the top of the weight range of the small size. This shows that even a DHV 1 can succumb to strong conditions and inadequate pilot input.

Well, I have now matched Bob's record of 3 stalls and I did it all at once ! We all celebrated my Cinco de Mayo adventure at Boccali's. Thanks to Eddie for crewing today and to Tom P for the ride.