Running The Kiamichi Ridge


The ridge was producing excellent updrafts the entire day. We initially worked the ridge at 500'-1000' feet above flying slow, waiting for everyone to get towed and make contact with the ridge while exploring the reliability and strength of the ridge lift as well as visually identifying known good land out spots discussed in the pilot's meeting just in case.
After we all got comfortable, we started descending and a great deal of the day was spent running the ridge just above the trees at 90 knots which is an unparalleled adrenaline rush. We tended to fly in convoys where each glider was a few hundred feet behind the next and we all took turns being the leader. Flying in convoys makes collision avoidance on the ridge almost a non issue with the exception of an occasional bird of prey.

In flight videos courtesy of Randy Teel:

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http://gallery.me.com/rgteel/100030


OLC flights from Talihina:
http://www.onlinecontest.org/olc-2.0/gliding/flightsOfAirfield.html?aa=TALIH1&st=olc&rt=olc&c=C0&sc=&sp=2009

Pictures from our last trip in August:
http://www.kalinskyassociates.com/omri/aviation/galleries/8_15_2009_talihina/index.htm


Flying low and fast on the ridge is intense, requires concentration, is bumpy and can be quite exhausting. Each one of us periodically slowed down to take a breather and fly at the top of the ridge lift about 1000' above the ridgeline. From there you get a great view of the Kiamichi valley and the gliders running fast down low. Flying slow and high is very relaxing and quite a contrast to flying fast and low.
We had moderate blue thermals working that day as well. Randy managed to use the thermals to hop over to other ridges on the upwind side of the valley.
Around 15:00 we gradually all started heading back towards the airport initially using the ridge to get as much altitude as possible for the glide back and with extra help from a few thermals along the way, all of us made it back to the airport with altitude to spare. By 17:00 and after disassembling (and bug removal), we were each on our respective drives back home with trailers on tow.
The only negative of flying that day was our leading edges collected more bugs than I've ever seen. I thought it was poetic justice considering how many mosquitoes bit me while camping the night before :-) Cleaning the wings added at least 15 extra minutes to disassembly time.
This was my 4th time out to Talihina and it's a different and great experience each time between working different ridges, thermalling and wave. You also befriend and fly with some great people from other clubs and enjoy beautiful scenery and crystal clear starry night skies being so far away from any metropolis. It's a 4.5 hour drive from TSA and you have several options of motels in town or just camping out if you prefer to save money. The conditions allow for a great introduction to ridge and don't necessitate highly experienced pilots (there was a student pilot on the ridge on my 2nd trip in April) or fast, high dollar ships (a club PW-5 would work great, as did my 40 year old Libelle, as did Gary's all metal Schweizer 1-35). The conditions can also provide plenty of challenges and excitement to keep ambitious, daring and experienced pilots happy. For those of you who haven't been, come out the next time and expand your soaring horizons. For those who have, come again, I sure will.