On Feb 1, 1:00*am, Chip Bearden wrote:
Of Ridge Soaring, Chilhowee, and Blairstown, I would recommend the
first two over the latter for an initial ridge "classroom" even though
I've flown out of Blairstown for years. It's not a textbook site. You
can't go north safely. Going south more than a few miles requires
traversing some dodgy terrain with limited outlanding potential.
That's mostly an issue when the ridge is weak but it adds to the
stress when learning to fly such conditions. And on most days (i.e.,
when the wind is from the NW), the airport is on the wrong (i.e., back
side) of the ridge. Therefore when the wind is marginal, one must
commit to turning downwind over the top of the ridge before falling
below it, then gliding a few miles back to Blairstown (no problem) or
else incur the risk of landing on the far side of the Delware River,
involving a retrieve and likely fine from the police. Not unsafe; it
just requires more discipline.

Chip Bearden
ASW 24 "JB"
USA

Chip,

I see your point, but not really......We get people who come to BT who
say they have "ridge experience" but we we take them on the ridge,
they don't have a clue. Because they never really flew a "real"
ridge. I guess there is something to be said about starting out
easy........but at BT the "local" ridge is a "pussy" ridge. You can
learn what you need to know, and not get in any trouble at all. Once
you are ready for more, then you can get more advanced and learn gap
crossings etc. Sure we don't go too far north, because the ridge
doesn't go there! (we are at the end of the line) With a couple of
thermals, you can head north to more ridge, but what's the point when
you can sure go south!

I always say that ridge flying is "deceptively simple".....when it
works it is a no brainer....just point and go! Learning to fly ridge
is all about knowing what to do when things don't go well. Learing to
thermal out when you are below ridge top, how to cross gaps and
transitions, how to read changes in conditions during the day. Anybody
can fly on a "pussy" ridge and soon get a false sense of
confidence.

It's like when people say you can't really learn to fly in a 2-33
because it doesn't spin well. Learning on an "easy" ridge doesn't
really do the job.

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