(What is that? Just ask Martin: “For the past 18+ years I have based my summer vacation of flying out Mansfield Washington (for many years, nick named the “Mansfield Encampment”). Flatland flying in what is commonly known as Washington State’s “Columbia basin” can be some of the finest cross country flying to be had anywhere in the world. Every year, while my primary goal is to fly safely and enjoy the spectacular air of this area, my secondary goal has always been to try and best my previous years personal best On Line Contest scores”) The previous day while I was at work, I followed Martin’s Spot track on his epic huge flight!
I was thinking for sure he was going to get the “mythical” 300km FAI triangle that I have heard stories and adventures of chasing after it in previous years. (Invaluable knowledge can be obtained from all these flights, attempts, out landings, and “there I was” stories)
The lay of the land ….. and do’s and don’ts are all there…. one just needs to listen)
Back to packing, the local store in Mansfield we drank out of (the previous week) our favorite “washing the dirt out of our mouth” beverage ….. “Becks”
So, I'm off to the local store to pick up some Becks to bring with me and low and behold…. none. “Are you F’ing kidding me?”
Off to store # 2…..“ we don’t carry that” …………. shit!!!!
OK “Google”…..
finally, 2 case of Becks (unbeknownst to me there were 3 N/A Becks in there……(jerks) thanks for that. We will find someone to give them to later
On the road and running behind, arriving at Mansfield to find it seems I'm ok on time. A “hello, how do you do” ….load up the truck and off we went. Setting up, trying to plan “something- big-ish” I was thinking of a 275 km, Martin chimes in “looks similar to yesterday, have a go at the “300” Yeah ok I thought to myself. (No way could I fly 8 hrs. I've seen Martin’s track logs before, and the time it takes to do it. I didn’t think I was up to the task)
Feeling it was late ….12:40 on tow with lots of smoke. (should be able to get good and established though) I had a long tow, about 5.5 miles. (Half way around course it felt like
Towed through a section of 400 fpm down… on tow! Oh boy….. what will the day bring?
25 min later on glide over 12,000 asl it was looking great. Strong climb, very smooth. Get going now, I kept telling myself, you are going to run out of day with the smoke.
Once close to Lind and the edge of the cues it was a rodeo. On the radio I asked Martin how I was on time. “By 3pm you need to be moving to your next TP”
Working this rowdy stuff till 3:15, time to go.
I was about 5 miles short of Lind. My thinking was I could maybe extend it N past Davenport to compensate.
Pushing NE that way things settled down, more smoke and smoother climbs. Clouds were still looking good and gave me something to fly fast to.
A hole to jump to Davenport but it wasn’t too bad. I nice high climb allowed me to glide most of it.
How am I looking for time I asked Martin, “about 5 pm you need to be pushing towards home” he said.
I pushed about 4.5 mile N trying to make up for the Lind short turn point. On towards home now at a little after 5
Now you need to change gears I told myself from lessons past. Don’t get in a huge hurry, but don’t dilly dally (landed on the E side of the lake a few times from this), there's work to do. Still about 64 miles back take off to close.
Lots of smoke but some nice clouds helped me to pick some good lines.
The day was decaying, I had caught up with Mia shortly before the edge. I had had some good lines and clouds to help guide me. She was just enough behind that she didn't fare so well.
She has a huge struggle and work ahead…..
(Come on Mia, you can make it!)
I was able to push an Extra 8.5 miles to the NW to help extend my distance
Final glide back to the take off area yielded a very nice sunset.
At this time, I really had no clue as to what my flight actually was. It wasn't until uploading it that made clear it was a 311 km (193 mile) FAI triangle!!!!!!!! The largest distance flown in WA state, and what is believed to be the largest FAI triangle in N America. Martin, just the day before had this title!
Two back to back… huge, amazing flights. Both flown with a fair amount of smoke. This place is amazing.
Mia and I both rendezvoused with Martin in the LZ where he had Becks and ground conditions waiting for us.
Excellent nose up landings and a beautiful sunset to break down with.
Special thanks goes to Martin and Mia for the towing and all the local knowledge a person can take in. It was this that made it possible to attempt, let alone accomplish.
I had the perfect conditions, and the knowledge of where to go to make the best of that. Thank you!
This is my personal best for distance, duration and a few hundred feet short of my highest altitude.
Mia also had her personal best for distance and duration.
What a spectacular day!
My flight track log Pictures from the flight
Mia’s flight track log
Martin’s blog on the days events here
Video of the flight played on google earth
