Today (Sun) I had my first Panoche experience.
Recently I see all these young kids joining BASA and flying out to Panoche.
Probably my pride got a bit hurt.
I am not saying that I measure myself against the cracks like Ramy and Brian.
But I should be able to do this Panoche thing, right ??.
So I thought now I really have to bite the bullet.
Yesterday (Sat) I joined Brian Choate in his powerplane for a tour around the "Panoche landmarks" (Panoche, Hernandez, Coalinga, Avenal, King City, Pinnacles). I already did that once with Brian 2 or 3 years ago, so this was a good refresher.
After having seen all the pictures (and I generally have a good sense of orientation) I could quickly pick up on the route.
On Saturday all ships were reserved up till 3 pm and I though 3 pm was too late to start this new experience.
Saturday evening I was baffled to find both Pegasi still available on Sunday.
As the weather forecast for Sunday was similar to Saturday, I decided Sunday was going to be the day. I booked 9JH Sunday all day for XC. On this occasion I did not want to deal with 1LV radio issue. I had to drag 9JH out from behind.
Sundays Blipmaps
and Blipspots looked good. (10000 at Hernandez)Sunday I am at the airport in time. Steve Brockman is already there. He determined that 12:30 is going to be the launch time in the Pegasus CA. So we are doing some preps until then.
Ramy shows up and is also going to fly.
I decide to wait a little while until I hear some first messages from Steve and Ramy about the conditions. Steve message comes soon. Then, according to Murphy of course a lot of ride traffic exactly when I want to launch.
Finally I am airborn just before 2 pm.
I take a bit of extra safety margin, so I ask the towpilot for 7000 ft at the ranch release point.
After a very smooth ride (I am used to Truckee or Minden head banging on tow) he gets me exactly where I want to be.
On the way out there, I overcome my last doubt, like "shall I really do this ?"
I want to ask the towpilot for a turn to look at Hollister, but then I think "what the heck !! Let's just not look back and commit to Panoche"
So here I go, off tow at 7200, gliding towards Elevator 1. Steve and Ramy already signaled that EL1 and EL2 are working well.
Now I am gliding towards EL1. In the mean time Steve is already returning from Hernandez where he was struggling for a while. Also Ramy is low in Panoche Valley. But before I get to EL1, I find good lift and I get up to about 8500. I am 2.5 mi North of EL1. Then I move over to EL1 which generated more good lift.
Ramy asks me where exactly I am in relation to EL1 (He is struggling in the Panoche valley and trying to find out about the wind drift) I respond that I have no clou what exactly EL1 is as this is my first time out here. I only know that I am about 0.8 mi from EL1 (so practically on top of it). I have a good visual on the Panoche strip, seen from pictures, from the air and from the ground. Ramy encourages me to move to EL2. On the way to EL2 there is significant sink but also reasonable lift. I am cautious so I take nearly every bit of lift.
I get up to about 9500 2.5 mi north of EL2. Ramy is also working his way up there. We then move over to EL2 and make it to nearly 11000. Steve is on his way back from Hernandez, pumps up a little at EL2 and heads home for a leak.
Steve indicated that Hernandez was not that good and suggest to stay on the west side. Ramy and I head south, west of Hermandez.
All the way we don't find lift, so at Hernandez Reservoir I decide this is enough for a first time out here. I definitely did not want to land at Hernandez and have to beg someone for a ground retrieve. If a landout then at most at Panoche. I turn around and head back to EL2.
Ramy continues south. There is little sink on the way but also little lift.
I arrive at around 7000 at EL2. On the way up Ramy assures me that I can make it easily back home but my flight computer, setup with conservative margins according to Basa flight rules (70 % glide, 2000 ft arrival) tells me that I am 1000 ft short (on the 2000 ft arrival). The confusing thing is that the wind direction was different at each and every thermal, so I am not sure what wind I would have on the way back, especially considering the seabreeze which already kicked in when I left.
I keep on working and move northwest. I max out at about 8500.
There is still weak lift on the way, so I use each and every little bit to stay as high as possible.
I can maintain between 8000 and 8500. 17 Miles out from Hollister I go on final glide.
I cannot see the airport against the sun and in the haze. I know the general direction and I can see the valley. Of course Soaring Pilot is guiding me.
After a while I recognize the airport, have sufficient altitude, my margin is improving.
There are still "locals" thermaling at the east ridge, so I divert somewhat north-eastwards but nothing to be found.
I am amazed that the final glide into Hollister is nearly completely in still air. With minimum sink.
I hang out a bit more around the airport to loose altitude. Ramy calls in returning from the Pinnacles. I land after 2.5 hours.
My conclusions.
Analyzing this flight I am positively surprised how easy this was. I had always considered the "Panoche experience" to be a high risk exercise. I guess that still holds for some "rock-polishing" pilots.
I have been majorly flying in Truckee this season and mostly working on building confidence in returning on final glides into Truckee, on several occasions digging out of holes at Carson City and Spooner Pass. So I guess this was also good practice for Panoche.
Other "experiences": This "Panoche experience " was a $134.50 experience (daily membership + 7000 ft tow). 2 days would be $269. No aero retrieve included.
My average "Truckee experience" for the weekend (no aero retrieve): $ 80 for 2 tows, $30 for gas to drive up, 6 hours extra drive time. Total cost of $110 !!!!!
Now I must say, I felt physically better in Hollister then in Truckee, probable due to lack of altitude adjustment, lack of stress of an 4 hour car drive late on Friday night after a busy week and better night rest in my own bed at home.
Final conclusion: It was fun, a good experience, but for a frugal Dutchman, $160 cost difference for 1 weekend still hurts.
I still need to figure out for myself how often I want to do this.
My hart is still in Truckee.
