Plowshares/ Condors

From: Southside
Activity_Date: 5/14/02
Remote Name: 199.182.34.142

Comments

This isn't a current flight report so perhaps it doesn't belong here, but...

Driving up to Plowshares one year we came upon three condors sitting on the ground right in front of launch. Startled by our presence the birds immediately took flight. However, rather than fly away, the condors came back and perched themselves on the radio towers right above us. There they sat throughout our whole set up time. And, there they were still sitting when I, playing the wind dummy, launched first.

As it so happened, I was early and ended up scratching far longer than I wanted on that far west spine before you have to head out on a flush. But finally after a long struggle I was able to work my way back above launch. Despite my better position it seemed obvious at the time that I was just working convection and that the convergence hadn't come through yet. I looked down at launch and the condors were still perched on the towers. Then one by one the birds took flight and headed west. I followed. At about 200 yards west of launch all three birds started turning circles. I flew in right above them...and...Bingo! straight up to 9k in the convergence.

I'd say that that was perfect timing on the condors part. So, let that be a lesson: if you're deciding when it's time to go at Plowshares don't launch until the condors do :-)

John