Portable Wind Sock for CLPA

[Rudy Taube]

Now that Spring is right around the corner, and the frozen tundra part of the US is thawing out, this item can be used by all!

This is one of those things that once you use it, you wonder how you did without it before! 

It is great at the local park, or at your clubs flying field. It is HD and very well built, works perfectly, and goes in the ground easily (pls. thaw ground 1st ;-), and comes out the same way. It breaks down in seconds to fit back in your car.

It shows wind direction even in very light 1 to 2 mph winds. It sticks out at 45 degrees in about 9 mph. I do not fly when the wind goes above 9 mph (there are other things to do here when the wind gets above this :-), but I think the sock is made to go full out to 90 degrees at around 18 mph. This last speed may be important to our CLPA friends in West Texas and Kansas! ;-)

I ordered the small 24" sock, but I think the 36" unit would be even better for our use. At <$60 it is a very good deal. I think it would also be good as a club purchase. I have tried some lightweight solutions, but they all had their drawbacks. This unit is perfect for CLPA.

GOOD NEWS: A side benefit is that the sock is just over 6' when setup. I marked the 4' and the 6' heights on the pole as a height gauge when I'm practicing. ..... BAD NEWS: it works as a height gauge while I'm practicing!    ....... It's funnier if you know how HIGH my pull outs are! ...... And I thought the judges were just picking on me until I got to see my pull outs against this gauge!  

This is one tool that everyone, beginner and expert alike, can enjoy having! 

Here is the link to get one:

http://www.airportwindsocks.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=13_6

Regards, 

[Bill Little]

Thanks, Rudy!  I checked out the wind speed meters also.

[john e. holliday]

Hey Rudy, 18 mph means the breeze is just starting here in Kansas.  Did you notice at VSC also depending on which circle you were the wind didn't agree with the wind sock.  Had one flight the wind did 180 during the poor fellows flight and after judges moved it came back to original direction.  Someone remarked that judges weren't supposed to move more than 10 degrees and I asked them to prove it.  DOC Holliday

[gary tultz]

Doc,I think the limits on the judges movement is when flying under F2B rules. Don't know the exact ruling though. Bubba Hunt   

[Steve Helmick]

AMA rules say 1/4 lap, but not sure if that means 1/4 lap thisaway and 1/4 lap thetaway, or just 1/4 lap total. I know that the judges moving 180 degrees is verboten.  Steve

[Rudy Taube]

Hi Bill,

My pleasure. I have their Kestrel model 2000 wind meter and it does everything we need. The 3000 is cool, but IMHO overkill for our needs. ..... Sometimes I still use my 35 year old "Dwyer" wind gauge, left over from my Hang Glider days. It brings back good memories, is KIS, and does not need any batteries! 

Hi  Doc,

I think you guys in Kansas call 18 mph a "CALM" day!  ..... 18 is perfect for sailing here, but waaaay too much wind for us So-Cal CLPA wimps!  )

Hi Guys, RE: judge movement rule:

It is rule 14.17 . It states that the pilot tells the judges where he/she wants them to stand/sit. If he fails to instruct the judges, then they will remain in the same position as the last flight. Our AMA rules state: It is up to the JUDGES DISCRETION to move "plus" or "minus" 1/8 lap during the flight. ....... Anymore movement than this by the judges is not authorized by our rules.  But I'm sure it is done at some contests. It sounds like something that should be covered at the pilots meeting when the WX forcast is for variable winds.  .... I don't think Doc has that problem, 18+ mph winds are usually well established in their direction, at least for the 8 min. we need! 

Regards,