Day 7, The Class of '09

With SW winds crossing the ramp at 20 kts another day of learning is declared. The picturebook morning provided an excellent backdrop, and Ricker Goldsborough organized class photos that featured both particpants and sponsors. Thanks to Ricker's efforts, Red Bull and Maui Jim joined Flytec, A•I•R USA and others as substantial sponsors of Team Challenge. Randy Leggett, in addition to flying with team 4Fs, brought the news that Foundation for Free Flight has authorized five scholarships for the Tennessee Tree Toppers to award to bring either mentors or pilots to future Team Challenges.

During the day a distinquished panel comprised of Dennis Pagen, Tom Lanning, Mike Barber, Jim Lamb and Ollie Gregory fielded questions from the particpants on the full gamut of subjects from basic to advanced. The day was capped off by free flying as the wind calmed a little, then a truly excellent, copious catered dinner organized by Mark Poling, and the Red Bull party at the pavillion. Erin Rapacki's karaoke encore set a most excellent tone. As I crossed the mountain homeward to Chattanooga, I couldn't get it out of my head.

Tomorrow, the work and anticipation begin for Team Challenge 2010.

Day 6, Friday

Friday begins with fog and rain, so clinics and a rest day slowly turn into a pretty afternoon to sit on the ramp and be teased by the "locals" flying by.

The Score

What a great day, great teams and a great meal.

Following Task 3 the team standings are:

1st: XXX (Xplorers XC Xceptional) 1364 overall points, 231 for the day
2nd: Knights in White Dacron 1221 overall, 183 today
3rd: Aerosnauts 1078 overall, 334 today (day winners)
4th: Aeria 51 1008 overall, 118 today
5th Os 956 overall, 178 today
6th: Tree Topplers 709 overall, 92 today
7th: Tow Heads 697 overall, 40 today
8th: 4Fs (Foundation For Free Flight) 584 overall, 126 today

Tomorrow's forecast as a weather day and a full day of seminars is planned. Saturday, Red Bull is coming out to the LZ.

Day 5 Task 3: Whitwell Launch

The day began with a skeptical forecast favoring Whitwell SE launch early with a chance of going SW crossing later in the day. The task committee called Galloway for Cs, Galloway-Henson LZ for Bs and then back to Galloway for the As.

Launch went exceptionally well and the winds held long enough to launch the entire field, with Aeria 51 leader Jim Lamb the last one off. Special scoring rules were adapted to suit the Cs and others launching Whitwell for the first time.

Driving back to Henson launch we encountered several happy pilots at Galloway. Tom Lanning said his flight back from Henson LZ to the A goal was all lift line.

Scores should be up earlier than yesterday, and it's Steak Night with Steak Knight Jeff Wilson's awesome cooker and master cheffin'. Deer and Beer to boot.