When I arrived at WSC Sunday 4/3/2016 at about 11:15 PDT for a flight in a WSC ASW 24, I was greeted by Kempton who announced that I was late for a flight with him in FNX! I readily agreed to a flight with him after clearing with Noelle. Good things happen to those go to the airport!
FNX is an ASH 25-25 meters with best glide of 60:1. We launched at 11:45PDT on a tow to Walker Ridge, and I was briefed by Kempton on the tow to look for a climb at Walker then head north if possible. If not we head south. Kempton released at 4500msl…. Yikes! This was below the altitude that I have decided I must head for WSC in an ASW 24 to be sure to make it back at 2000 AGL over WSC. The glide angle of FNX is clearly much better than an ASW 24.
Here is the SeeYou “Route” view with the RASP forecast for 1200PST (1300PDT) Surface Wind Convergence overlaid. Notice that our route north closely follows the convergence.
The first photograph is over the ridge east of Tree Farm at about 5000 MSL looking north at St. John with Snow to the left. Notice that the bases of CU west of the convergence are higher. We flew along the west side of the convergence most of the day.
Here is a photograph that illustrates our proximity to the terrain on the way to Snow. We were about 300 AGL on this ridge above Letts lake.
Continued on follow up post due to number of photographs.