Chenango Bridge Scale Soaring Aerotow - Oct 8-10, 2021 - Binghamton, NY

[Steve P]

This event replaces the annual Black Dirt Aerotow in Goshen, NY

Contact: s.richmond @ verizon.net

Registration https://www.scalesoaring.com/chenang...w-registration

[Sinkhappens86]

Awesome! Been wanting to check out one of their events for a while, but it's never lined up. Looking forward to it!

[Steve P]

Just heard from the organizers that they're settling plans with the airport managers and also arrangements for those looking to arrive and set-up camp Thursday afternoon.

Flying starts Friday morning.

Please help Steve Richmond out by pre-registering so he can provide expected attendance levels to the club and airport.

https://www.scalesoaring.com/chenang...w-registration

[Sinkhappens86]

Registered!

[Steve P]

Update on the event. Just got some new learning from Steve Richmond and Tony at the club about the plans for this coming weekend.

There is a defined flying area. In working with the Binghamton airport, the club has agreed with them that we will not leave the boundaries of the Chenango Bridge airport. Note in the photographs below that there are neighborhoods off to three sides. So this makes sense anyway.

Altitude is capped at 2000 feet. Again, this has been negotiated with the Binghamton airport. Also should not be an issue. In both this case in the field boundaries we are going to have to look out for each other.

On the subject of looking out, we will all have to monitor for air traffic that may wander in to our flying space. Again, not different than any other event. We are close to a busy airport all though.

Wet power flying at the field is between 10A-7P, so expect towing to start right at 10.

The question of the food truck is still up in the air. There may not be sufficient attendance to support it for all three days. I’m waiting to hear back about the ultimate decision on that from the organizers.

Please note the field flying boundaries below.


Here is the plan set up for trailers and the runway.

[mlachow]

Thanks for the update. I don't think a GPS triangle fits in those constraints.

[Steve P]

Thanks for the update. I don't think a GPS triangle fits in those constraints.

This is what Stéphane laid out….

https://www.en.gps-triangle-league.net/?page_id=22&fld_id=219

[mlachow]

That course exceeds the boundary to the east. And typical turns on the other two also will get close to the residential areas north and west. If we could fly over the river east then something might fit the other boundaries.



Even if you squeeze it in the space you will probably end up outside the box.






You could do Sport Class but I don't think Scale Class is possible with the flying restrictions.

[Steve P]

Thanks, Mike. That was my hunch. Given the growth of GPS, event organizers need/should take this into consideration. Not sure if all is permanently lost at Black Dirt, but those wide open spaces are a no brainer.

[mlachow]

We can do the shorter sport class course

[mlachow]

The course has been adjusted to use the Sport Class task. That way the course and some space for turns all fit within the field boundaries So the triangle distance is 350M instead of 500M and the entry altitude limit is 400M. The task on the web site has been updated.

[Steve P]

Thanks, Mike!

[Steve P]

I heard from Steve and Tony who are organizing the event. Food truck vendor is confirmed and will need our support.

Here is the note from Tony...

As for the food vendor... as odd as it seems, this guy is not in it primarily for the money. He comes in, not expecting to even break even. He does it for the love of creating great food and making people happy. He's so good at what he does that, folks from Muncie that were at the NASA event in July, asked him to come to AMA HQ to provide food for the NATs. He doesn't serve "fast food". He engages and entertains the people he creates food for. He really like doing our events, because of the type of people that attend. They are friendly, pleasant people and he enjoys making them happy.

[Sinkhappens86]

Kremer Aerotow team will be all set up Friday morning, how many customers will be needing tows?

[Steve P]

I haven’t gotten a count from Steve Richmond. I don’t anticipate the tow queue will be overwhelmed. ;-)

We will be required by the club to have a pilot’s meeting each morning to review the points above regarding boundaries, spotting, altitude, ATC and such. I was asked to sanction the event, so that part is on me as CD and will be quick. Steve and Tony will has their own to add as the organizer/host.

There will be a Ziti dinner Friday night for the flyers and club members. $10 donation. Wendy and I have plans that evening so we will have to miss.

[hello82]

I'm stuck working out of town...wish I could make it...see you all in Cumby! Matt

[Sinkhappens86]

Set up has begun.

[Sinkhappens86]

Fantastic first day. Ceiling lifted and we flew through sunset. Lots of GPS laps, lots of towing. This place is a premier location! Looking forward to tomorrow!

[mlachow]

Thermal conditions were not the best on Friday. It wasn't until around 2PM until you could safely get to full launch height to start the course I had two attempts with a low cloud sitting at 300 over the start line. Later in the afternoon I did find one thermal that was good for over 1.6m/s at times and one last one late in the afternoon a little over 1m/s. My best GPS laps were 6 on Friday. I had one good thermal that I picked up right after the 3rd turn on the third lap. Definitely under 100M for the start of the thermal but I got back up above launch height for another 3 laps. My last flight was interrupted by a GA takeoff from the airport. I found an OK thermal on the 2nd lap and then rounded the 3rd turn at which point I had to hold position until the takeoff was completed. That burned over a lap of altitude.

The Sport Class course was different. It really is a much smaller area and on a weak day, it is not uncommon to have no activity around the entire course in the afternoon. It would have been nice to have tried it with some full sun hitting the solar array which was located around turn 2. I hope guys had some better luck on Saturday.

[mlachow]

First flights on the Jastrzab today.

https://forum.scalesoaring.com/forum/aerotowing-slope-scale-soaring/scale-sailplanes/42640-is-4-jastrzab?p=46108#post46108

[Sinkhappens86]

Low ceilings didn't deter us from getting a lot of flying in at Chenango

[Steve P]

Finally — somebody caught me making a decent tow plane landing! Love the Arcus EDF chase segment at 6:55. Thanks!

[Sinkhappens86]

I had a blast chasing the Arcus, glad it came out as well as it did!

[hello82]

awesome guys!! looks like a great field and much fun,....great to see the low cloud cover from the tow planes perspective.