August 27, 2024
Uvalde weather took a troublesome turn today – a continuation of this week’s trend: lower temperatures and much more moisture. We awoke to cloudy skies, which can be a good sign here: relentless sun breaks the clouds into friendly cumulus by late morning. Today’s forecast called for some useful cu, followed by increasing threats of overdevelopment and rain, with much doubt whether any sort of task could be completed.
No class was anxious to be the first launched, but it was the turn of the Open class, and off they went at 12:45 behind 9 eager towplanes. Local lift wasn’t great – 4 kts to 4000’ above ground was typical – but all were able to find lift, dodge problems and stay airborne. Their short task had them headed west, which looked like the least troubled direction. With weather confidence extending no further than halfway around their task, they were sent on their way. Uncharacteristically, most were on course just minutes after their task opened. (some small areas of rain helped encourage the reluctant).
20-Meter task was next to launch; things did not go well. Light rain (typically death to motorless aviation) developed in their tow-release area. A few got away to the west, where they found weak lift. Later launchers found nothing but sink, forcing a quick return to the airfield. Conditions along their first task leg (to the south) looked both doubtful and deteriorating. In defiance of reality, a task-opening time was set. With more than half the class low or on the ground and conditions clearly getting worse, few could believe this would be confirmed. With just minutes to go, their task was finally cancelled.
18-Meter class had it easy: In view of the problems experienced by the 20-meter pilots, their launch never got started. Weather maps confirmed near-hopeless conditions along their task’s route.
Attention returned to the Open class, whose pilots were actually making fairly good progress. Climbs were nothing great, but the problem weather looked to be staying east of their course. Returning from the south, a significant detour west was necessary, and it became clear that any return home must include a long glide through dead air. The lead group – including Jim Lee – found a good climb near the final turnpoint and set out toward home. Indeed, no real thermal lift was available, but the air was buoyant and long Open-class wings got the job done. In all, 10 of 17 pilots finished. Among them was Jim, who managed 3rd place, just 14 points out of first.
John Good