Another Weekend in Paradise

Hang Glide Chicago had a great weekend!  We started Saturday with some much needed rain.  Around noon the skies cleared, the sun came out, and we enjoyed a marvelous sunset.  Sunday was a hot one!  Hot and humid, but our fellow flyers had lots of fun at the field. 

weekend outlook 7/13/2018

Sunday better than Saturday

Not awesome, but I’ll take an hour here or there, when I can get it.

Sunday (both places)

Hot, mostly sunny 87° wind s @ 6 mph

WW and KK showing just under 400 fpm to 3k’ish (not very high)

These are NAM forecasts and I’m hoping that the day of RAP forecast is better.

Currently KK shows lift going slightly higher, but that will change in 2 days.

I am planning to fly somewhere on Sunday.

Saturday could be ok at KK if the rain stays away. (Check satellite in the AM)

weekend outlook July 7th & 8th

Update
Saturday afternoon will finish better at kk.

1^st!  A SUNNY WEEKEND THAT’S NOT BLOWN OUT!

The details get more difficult. The numbers are below, so you can make your own conclusions.

Mostly I think both days are flyable, but probably not awesome, at both locations.

I think Saturday will be slightly better at WW

I think Sunday will be better at KK.

I don’t know if I have time on Sunday to fly and go to Bill’s memorial….

These numbers come from XCSkies. DrJack shows lower lift, but better BS ratios to higher altitudes. Which is correct? I don’t know.

Saturday July 7th

KK           Sunny 85°

lift 450 fpm to 3k'

Wind E @ 7 mph

BS ratio 4.4 (difficult)

Dew point spread 31

No CU's

WW       Sunny 84°

lift 500+ fpm to 4k'

Wind S @ 9 mph

BS ratio 5 (difficult)

Dew point spread 38

No CU's

Sunday July 8th

KK           Sunny 85°

lift 450 fpm to 3.5k'

Wind s @ 2 mph

BS ratio 10 (good)

Dew point spread 22

No CU's

WW       Sunny 83°

lift 425+ fpm to 3k'

Wind SW @ 9 mph

BS ratio 2.6 (not flyable)

Dew point spread 31

No CU's

Area weather Sat & Sun Jun 22-23

Looks like could be WW on Saturday, KK looking weak
And then Sunday GOOD for KK with WW looking weak

Sat Jun 23 - NAM
Whitewater
Lift         400 fpm to 4k’ Cloudbase
Wind aloft   N @ 7 mph
BS ratio     10
OD unlikely
Temp and the ground 76°


Sun Jun 24 - NAM
Enjoy field
Lift         450+ fpm to 4.2k’ Cloudbase
Wind aloft   NW @ 3 mph
BS ratio     25     <-!
OD unlikely
Temp and the ground 82°

If you were picking one day (and I am) currently Sunday at Enjoy is where you’ll see me.

As always, I’ll try to repost if things change.

Flying Saturday and Sunday

There will be flying this Saturday and Sunday, weather depending.  Indeed, unless posted - here - otherwise, we fly on Saturdays and Sundays. 

another brief forecast - go tomorrow

I am saying that Saturday has a better BS ratio than Sunday and that KK looks better than WW
It’s going to be a bit breezy, but we might get in some flying (could be good for XC)

KK Saturday
DrJack Jun 16 - NAM
Lift 450+ fpm to CUbase 5k’
B/S Ratio 7
BL Wind SW @ 13

Temp@2m 92.9 <- effin hot

CU @ Enjoy

Sunday looks like drift exceeds lift

No, it's Thursday

Thursday appears to be a flying day up north.
500+ fpm lift to about 4500'
Wind aloft s@8 mph for a BS ratio of 8
A decent flying day in between too much wet

Wednesday maybe - if not too windy

Wednesday maybe - if not too windy

Forecasts differ on winds (and KK vs WW)

But this could be the day this week

Better picture tomorrow

Last weekend at Enjoy

This past weekend at Enjoy was a breezy one for sure.  Saturday morning was overcast with an easterly wind, but it cleared up in the afternoon to a beautiful day. 

In addition to tandems running all morning, we had a pilot out from Michigan and a pilot out for Lookout.  We are always happy to see our brethren from afar out at Enjoy.  Please come back and visit us soon!

Sunday ended up being blown out, but all the better for some field maintenance.  It takes a lot of maintenance days throughout the year to keep Enjoy operational, so thanks to all who came out to help and to Enjoy! 

See you next weekend.

Weekend outlook Saturday Sunday Monday - looks like some great flying opportunities!

In general KK looks better than WW for the weekend so I’ll limit details to KK (sorry, I’m busy!)

IF WE GET THE FORECAST

This is the best looking memorial day weekend in some time!

3 good flying days. Sunday a bit windier aloft, so maybe not so good for single surface…

I have to say that there is enough good that you ought to go out to find out what the actual conditions are.

On the ground (3 pleasant (hot) summer days with moderate winds)

SAT     MAY 26  Partly Cloudy  90°65°  20%     WSW 8 mph

SUN     MAY 27  Partly Cloudy  95°66°  20%     WSW 7 mph

MON     MAY 28     Sunny       92°64° 10%      NNE 5 mph

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Saturday May 26 – pretty good and light winds

The models vary. The NAM forecast (which we use the most) says Saturday may be just ok

400 fpm lift to 3500’  kinda ok

However the GFS forecast shows

600 fpm lift to 6k’    which is pretty damn good

All showing BS ratios in the 9’s (should be easy soaring)

Agreement on light winds aloft approx.  SW @ 7 mph

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sunday May 27 – very good with possibly stronger winds aloft

500+ fpm lift to 5’ or 6k’ (diff forecasts) (skysight says 7-8k’around 2pm

Wind aloft SW @ 12 (here GFS forecast is optimistically less windy

I’m going with a soarable BS ratio of 9

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Monday  MAY 28 – strongest lift of the weekend!

650+ fpm to 6k’ (averaging forecasts

Wind aloft ENE @ 7 mph

BS ratio OFF the CHART

Memorial Day Weekend Grand Opening

Hang Glide Chicago wants to welcome everyone out for a great new season of flying.  This coming weekend in honor of Memorial Day, we will be having events all weekend long.

Saturday, we will have our ball drop contest, followed by fireworks in the evening.
Sunday, start your morning out right with a pancake breakfast.  Enjoy the afternoon with a spot landing contest, and stay over for a bonfire Sunday night!

We'll be out Saturday, Sunday, and Monday this coming weekend, and we are offering discount camping for the weekend!  Campers who come Friday and stay through Monday will pay only $20.00 per person for the weekend.