From: Tom P.
Activity_Date: 3/30/02
Remote Name: 64.24.72.67
Soon after arriving at Pine launch, I received a page from work & needed to get home. My plan after take-off was to climb as high as possible, fly south, land close to Hwy 33 & hitch-hike home. I've never had trouble catching a ride.
The other pilots heard my plight & were kind enough to let me elbow my way in early. 4th off the hill, I was pushed around a little on the glide to the knob. The Sigma 5 feels more stable than my Carbon. After entering a big sink hole & losing a grand, I found the only thermal I needed for the day. Started at 6k & within minutes climbed to over 12k. Half way through the climb, John advises me that my left wing tip was gone (& had been for a while). The Sigma was handling so well I hadn't noticed. As I pumped the tip out, my Ball vario pegged at 1600'per min climb.
Topped-out at 12,500' & started glide south over Hwy 33. Max ground speed 49.7mph, averaging 35-40mph all the way to Nordhoff ridge. Cleared the Pyrimid at 7k, continued glide south past the High School towards home. Could have pushed further but needed to get to work. 58 minutes from Pine to home, 15 miles,(couldn't have driven home that quick).
Next time I'll bring tools & fly straight to the job sight.
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