Dust Devil Dash - Tehachapi on Saturday September 7th

I downloaded and played on SeeYou TG's and 5Z's flights. Jeez those guys are brave. And must really know the local area.
I don't know the area from Tehacapi to Lone Pine, but watching those flights was a lesson on how to depart and head north at a low low and lower altitude.
Then when 5Z goes off the back of the Whites it gets really exciting again.
Hats off to those guys, took a lot of local knowledge and balls to pull off those flights in those conditions.
I would like to fly in that contest, but not in those conditions.
Two most excellent pilots at there best!

Yes, Nick...

Bailing out of the Tehachapi valley was very very challenging. Most pilots got down to 4000msl (2000agl)... and a few (5Z and Z9) recovered from around 1200 agl and 700agl within glide of the Honda Race track strip or Cantil fields. These are all 8-10 miles north of California City.

Still, very low heading up toward Inyokern and transitioning to the Sierras..

I'd love to hear more about Todd Schult's 1-26 flight. It must have had it's moments also.

Walt WX

I should credit Tom for the tips on how to leave the area and to Jim Staniforth for a landout database with verified landing options every few miles between tehachapi and Inyokern. This, and having a crew following made the ground skimming relatively low stress. The only thing I wasn’t sure while circling low over the Honda tracks was where is the right spot to land, the track or the road just south of it. Both looked fine from 2K AGL.

Ramy

On Monday, September 9, 2019 at 5:57:12 AM UTC-7, Nick Kennedy wrote:
I downloaded and played on SeeYou TG's and 5Z's flights. Jeez those
guys are brave. And must really know the local area.

Nick, not really as scary or ballsy as you might think. :-)

In the next day or two I'll find time to write up a blow by blow description of my flight. Too bad my FauxPro camera failed before takeoff and I left it with the crew. Video would have been fun to watch. Anybody want to buy me a nice camera? Wife loves to crew and supports me 110%, but won't let me spend on more toys :-)

I had an airport or known good dry lake at all times except after the first glide out into the desert where I had the Honda track or Cantil fields in comfortable glide. Was down to 3200 MSL with a safe (for me) glide to Cantil with 7-800' AGL arrival to sort out an appropriate landing.

Tom 5Z

My flight and a blog entry are available at http://www.crosscountry.aero/flight/view/24514

Tom

On Wednesday, September 11, 2019 at 10:40:17 PM UTC-7, 5Z wrote:
My flight and a blog entry are available at http://www.crosscountry.aero/flight/view/24514

Tom

Nice inspiring write up. The challenging start makes the rest of the flight even more enjoyable to read.

Back next year I should plan to join.

BG

Did sny of the 1-26 boys show up and how did they do?

Todd Schultz placed second, only a couple.handicapped miles.behind Ramy!!

On Friday, September 20, 2019 at 6:07:25 PM UTC-7, wrote:
Did sny of the 1-26 boys show up and how did they do?

Todd Schultz flew his Boy Who Flew With Condors "high performance model" 1-26 downwind for second place.
Jim