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Go to the FlyBC Weather Page to predict the weather.
flybc@shaw.ca Send us your flight reports here!
What's new around the Vancouver Flying scene. | Date | Site | Forecast | Precip. | Winds Aloft 3000 ft. | Lapse Rate | Cloudbase Forecast | Comments | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| December 31 | Have a Happy New Year flight at Woodside | Cold and Clear, high 4° | 10% POP | 210° at 10 knots | -2.0°/1000' (standard lapse rate) | 1100 m 3300' |
Rob Samplonious' Woodside Gloat Report - quite a few pilots braved the road up Woodside for a last flight of 2002. When we got to launch it was quite windy (up to 30 km gusts). Ian J, Glen T, Alan D, Rob S, Nicole, Colleen and I all flew with mixed results. Allan and Ian got flushed right away (up to -3 m/s down). Rob S got high fairly soon as did Glen but they complained the air was rough and Rob top-landed to fix his speed bar (#1 landing). Colleen launched after Glen as Glen headed out after about 15 minutes of good soaring above launch, Colleen was climbing out over the cliffs and experienced a hige collapse so she elected to fly out front finding some good thermals, Rob relaunched and top-landed (#2) again after a few passes. Nicole launched and got flushed right away, Rob top-landed again (#3) and relaunched. I was dubious about flying as the retrieve was going to be difficult and Rob was starting to sink out but regained enough height to top-land again (#4) so we discussed the retrieve. It got very light at launch and was not even kiteable for some time so I just played with the new Keara (practice inflations) and when it came on again I launched and also got flushed immediately with continuous sink all the way to Eagle Ranch. It was definitely Robs day! Have a safe New Year. December 30
| Stay Home
| Some snow flurries in the morning, High 2 to 5° | 100% POP
| 270° at 9 knots
| -2.0°/1000' | (standard lapse rate) 1100 m | 3300'
Rain and snow all day, except for one clear period around 2:00 pm, no one flew. | December 29
| Woodside
| Some snow flurries in the morning, High 2 to 5° | 40% POP
| 270° at 9 knots
| -2.0°/1000' | (standard lapse rate) 1100 m | 3300'
Woodside Report - you know it's gonna be a good day when Allan D shows up in the winter! He logged over 2 hours on a JoJo Addiction (available thru FlyBC). Rob S and Colleen logged 20 minutes, while I flew a 15 minute tandem flight with our carpenter, great to be in the air again - Jim (we were able to drive to launch in the Suburban, barely) | December 28
| Stay Home
| Wind easterly 40 to 60 km/h shifting to southerly 50 to 70 km/h by noon. Periods of rain mixed with snow changing to showers in the afternoon. Snowfall accumulation 3 to 8 centimetres. Fog patches dissipating in the morning. High 2 to 5° | 100% POP
| 270° at 15 knots
| -2.0°/1000' | (standard lapse rate) 1100 m | 3300'
Elk Report - Ivan says they all flew, despite windy conditions. | December 27
| Stay Home
| Wind easterly 40 to 60 km/h shifting to southerly 50 to 70 km/h by noon. Periods of rain mixed with snow changing to showers in the afternoon. Snowfall accumulation 3 to 8 centimetres. Fog patches dissipating in the morning. High 2 to 5° | 100% POP
| 270° at 15 knots
| -2.0°/1000' | (standard lapse rate) 1100 m | 3300'
No pireps.
| December 26
| Woodside later
| Cloudy with showers, High 2 to 6° | 30% POP
| 200° at 10 knots
| -2.0°/1000' | (standard lapse rate) 1100 m | 3300'
Van Island Report - Prevost was on for a bit of ridge lift off of the West launch. After a 2 km walk through the snow, Claudio (tandeming with Terresa), Sean, Jorge, and I all had flights. Then it was down to Dallas, where it ALMOST came on (trip to the beach and an hour of kiting). Merry Christmas - Brucy McG.
| December 25
| Go Snowboarding or Skiing, Merry Christmas
| Rain heavy at times. Rainfall amounts 30 to 50 millimetres over western sections. Rain possibly mixed with periods of snow this morning over eastern sections. Snowfall amounts 5 to 10 centimetres over eastern sections. Wind southerly 40 to 60 km/h. High 3 to 9° | 100% POP
| 180° at 26 knots
| -2.0°/1000' | (standard lapse rate) 1100 m | 3300'
Merry Christmas to all!. | Thanks to everyone for their support of Colleen and my efforts at Eagle Ranch this season, everyone worked hard to pull it together starting in early March with fence pulling and tree removal (especially Rob S, the chainsaw maniac!). I sincerely hope everyone has a wonderful holiday season, enjoy the family when you can get them together. December 24
| Sumas, if you are brave!
| Increasing cloudiness. A few showers late in the day possibly mixed with flurries over eastern sections. High 2 to 6° | 30% POP
| 150° at 28 knots
| -2.0°/1000' | (standard lapse rate) 1100 m | 3300'
|  Who's been naughty and nice??? FlyBC's Paragliding School is back bigger and better in 2002!, go to FlyBC's Eagle Ranch Page for more aerial shots taken by Colleen on Sunday Feb 10, 2002. The Eagle Ranch Landing Zone has been developed for the exclusive use of FlyBC Students and customers, others are required to use the Riverside Landing Zone for paragliding and pay the West Coast Soaring Club for the membership fee and Landing Pass ($95.00 per season). FlyBC is instituting an outlanding fee for those pilots that land at Eagle Ranch without a FlyBC Pass. " Women's Fly In pics by Chris" " Women's Fly In pics by Hal" December 23
| Sumas
| Cloudy with sunny periods. High 6° | 0% POP
| 150° at 16 knots
| -2.0°/1000' | (standard lapse rate) 1100 m | 3300'
No one was out flying, too busy shopping for last minute gifts! Gotta head back to the mall, 'cause I have a houseful of kids heading over Christmas Eve! | Elk Report - Several pilots including Alan, Klaus, Monica, Carl, Chris H. and Kevin flew Elk in light conditions - Rob S. December 22
| Sumas
| Cloudy with sunny periods. 30 percent chance of showers except flurries over eastern sections early this morning. High 6
° | 30% POP
| 120° at 9 knots
| -2.0°/1000' | (standard lapse rate) 700 m | 2300'
No pireps, and I suspect it wasn't soarable even if the clouds cleared. | December 21
| Woodside
| A mix of sun and cloud. High 7° | 0% POP
| 340° at 6 knots
| -2.0°/1000' | (standard lapse rate) 700 m | 2300'
Elk Mtn. Report - it pays to hike up some days! Ivan reported "super soaring" at Elk, with Carl logging 3+ hours in ridge lift. | Woodside Report - four of us flew getting sledders, before it started to blow over the back. Test flew my new Keara, very nice handling, you can throw it around without it collapsing on you. Can't wait for Mexico. December 20
| Sumas may be possible
| Cloudy with showers, locally windy. | High 7° 30% POP
| 120° at 15 knots
| -2.0°/1000' | (standard lapse rate) 500 m | 1600'
Very windy in the Valley, all outflow.
| December 19
| Stay at Work
| Cloudy with showers, locally windy. | High 7° 60% POP
| 120° at 27 knots
| -2.0°/1000' | (standard lapse rate) 500 m | 1600'
Valley Report - very breezy, 80 km+, snow down to 2300 feet so chain up if you are heading to Sumas - Jim | Costa Rica Report - Hi Guys, its 35 degrees plus, sunny every day and flyable for at least part of every day (sometimes the afternoon wind gets too strong but then its good for kiteboarding!) Local ridge site on the beach is just 5 minutes away, it has a restaurant and bar right at launch and the LZ is the beach. Top land to watch the sunset while having a drink or, as the locals like to do, fly by the light of the full moon. Great views, nice flying, followed by Ceviche and Cerveza by the pool. Lots of room in the house, so call your travel agent! Cheers, Ian, Michelle & Samantha Porter Hawaii Report - Jim: You were right, I think I really like the Presta. Actually took it out with another brand new wing for maiden flights this past weekend. Spent 15 minutes in two flights with the other wing, and 3 hours 20 minutes in my first two flights with the Presta. As I suspected, the customer colors weren't right on -- the wing-check design was black rather than red, but aside from making me think APCO may not pay attention to detail, I am delighted. -- Ken (Hawaiian Pilot) December 18
| Lil Nic or Woodside
| Cloudy with showers | High 7° 40% POP
| 200° at 14 knots
| -0.8°/1000' | (inverted lapse rate) 500 m | 1600'
Valle Report | Hi Jim & Colleen, Just wanted to let you know how things are going in Valle de Bravo. I broke my left arm on my first flight here. I landed hard at the lake LZ and had my arms down for a flare when I hit the bank. Oops. Oh well, it is in a cast now for two months. I'll be all fixed up just in time for spring flying :) That LZ is super dangerous as I´ve witnessed a few more near misses & catastrophes etc. Glenn Derouin and Santacroce are also down here right now. Brent had some interesting flights and then a real nice one today (2+ hours). The Yoki is a hot ship. I've attached some pics for your viewing pleasure. Adios amigos, Adam.    December 17
| Lil Nic or Woodside
| Cloudy with showers | High 7° 40% POP
| 200° at 14 knots
| -0.8°/1000' | (inverted lapse rate) 500 m | 1600'
Dallas Road Report - Transport Canada has put their foot down, all pilots must have HAGAR and airband 2 way radios to fly there legally.
| December 11-16
| Stay Home
| Rain all week and into the weekend plus locally windy. | High 9-10° 90% POP
| 160° at 22 knots
| -0.8°/1000' | (inverted lapse rate) 600 m |
Woodside Reports Dec 11-16 - heavy rain and high winds all week.
December 14th looked flyable at Woodside, but the winds were a bit gusty in Eagle Ranch LZ so we put up Christmas lights, later I learned that Commercial aircraft were having operational difficulties at Victoria Airport (many missed approaches and overshoots due to high winds). Strong turbulence experienced at altitude due to high winds. Good call not to fly that day!
| December 10
| Stay Home
| Rain all week and into the weekend plus locally windy. | High 9-10° 90% POP
| 160° at 22 knots
| -0.8°/1000' | (inverted lapse rate) 900 m
|
As predicted, time to save up for a road trip!
| December 9
| Stay Home
| Rain developing in the PM, windy. | High 9° 60% POP
| 180° at 22 knots
| -0.8°/1000' | (inverted lapse rate) 900 m
|
Hemlock Report - Andy hiked and flew Hemlock twice before the storms hit.
| Woodside Report - Bev and Norm went to launch Bev bagged a flight in light conditions, Norm drove. Last flights of the week! December 8
| Sumas, Eagle (for expert pilots only!)
| Forecast says mainly sunny with locally gusty east winds. | High 10° 0% POP
| 140° at 20 knots
| -0.8°/1000' | (inverted lapse rate) 900 m
|
Eagle Report - we headed up Eagle at 12:15 pm, as the winds were calm at Eagle Ranch. Bev, Norm, Frank, Brad, Jim, Colleen and Andy all took wings just in case it looked good.
| We arrived at 1:10 pm, after clearing some rocks and such off the road. You do need a vehicle with high clearance as the cross ditches have eroded very deeply, something like an '86 Suburban lifted 8 inches with 35" tires (painted yellow). As we arrived the wind was coming straight in at launch, so I laid out and got off before conditions changed. Smooth launch, not much lift as I flew along Sasquatch Mountain's east face as it was getting shaded. Not a good flight path so I headed out towards the Golf Course and overflew the airstrip at 420 meters enroute to Eagle Ranch. Bev followed me and she landed at Bill Best's field. Andy and Norm flew to Eagle Ranch and Brad found a new place to land at a friendly farmer's place. Colleen offered to drive down as she was feeling under the weather - Jim  Jim at Eagle  Norm at Eagle Sumas Report - Rob S was on the radio and told us the winds were blowing down at launch so they got skunked, I guess the forecast was off today? December 7
| Woodside, Eagle
| Forecast says mainly sunny with east winds. | High 10° 0% POP
| 130° at 6 knots
| -0.8°/1000' | (inverted lapse rate) 900 m
|
Woodside Report - Andy flew off Woodside at 9:00 am, starting off a great safe day of sled rides, Rusty caught some thermals over the neighbour's land and stayed aloft there for 5-6 turns gaining altitude before landing, but there was no other lift to be had. Some folks got 4 flights 'cause they got up early, but we flew til 3:00 pm as it started to blow catabatic at launch. Even Mark D got in a bag flight!
| Grouse Report - Alex and I went for a flight off Grouse Mtn today. Saw a few other pilots take off (Peter Graf and couple other gliders I didn't recognize) during the hike up to the peak, then we got there to see it blowing over the back. We waited a bit for the sun to re-emerge from behind some cirrus and launched when it started blowing up very lightly. Sled ride down to the LZ, nice smooth air all the way - Nicole December 6
| Sumas, Eagle
| Forecast says mainly cloudy with east winds. | High 9° 0% POP
| 110° at 9 knots
| -0.8°/1000' | (inverted lapse rate) 900 m
|
Looked flyable, only I was on the ferry to Victoria when it started raining at Mayne Island? I thought it never rained over there. Must be an urban rumour!
| December 5
| Woodside, Deroche
| Forecast says mainly cloudy but it is clear at Woodside at 8:00 am. | High 9° 0% POP
| 140° at 11 knots
| -0.8°/1000' | (inverted lapse rate) 900 m
|
Woodside Report - super stable, no wind at launch or landing areas. Tim O showed up at 2:00 pm but we were not motivated for a sled ride - Jim
| December 4
| Stay at Work
| East winds forecast all day. Clouds and showers until tomorrow. High 10°
| 70% POP
| 130° at 20 knots
| -0.8°/1000' | (inverted lapse rate) 300 m | 1100'
Even the birds stayed home!
| December 3
| Sumas or Eagle
| East winds forecast all day. High 10°
| 0% POP
| 120° at 16 knots
| -0.8°/1000' | (inverted lapse rate)
800 m | 2500'
No pilot reports.
| December 2
| Sumas
| East winds forecast all day. High 9 to 13°
| 0% POP
| 080° at 8 knots
| -0.8°/1000' | (inverted lapse rate)
400 m | 1200'
No pilot reports.
| December 1
| Woodside or Blanchard
| Areas of morning fog otherwise mainly sunny. High 9 to 13°
| 0% POP
| light and variable
| -0.8°/1000' | (inverted lapse rate)
no cloudbase |
Woodside Report - lots of good flights at Woodside, cycles started early at 10:30 am, and lasted all day. Flights around 2:30 pm became rough and many didn't fly as the cycles were too strong and the clouds started forming at launch (sounds thermic?). We were busy pulling a wing out of the tress in the Eagle Ranch LZ as a student forgot not to fixate on the trees or you will land in them! No damage so Fred won't get a report. | November 30
| Sumas or Eagle
| Early morning fog patches otherwise sunny. Locally windy this morning. High 11-14°
| 0% POP
| 130° at 13 knots
| -0.8°/1000' | (inverted lapse rate)
no cloudbase |
Eagle Report - we headed up to Eagle Launch with 7 pilots and everyone had fun flights,with just a little lift on the way out. Perfect launch conditions with 10 km winds straight in, because we were above the inversion layer. Tail winds lower helped get everyone out to the LZ. | Colleen had her first ever Eagle Launch to Eagle Ranch flight overflying Eagle Ranch, the FlyBC designated landing zone at 200 meters. Everyone else landed in from of the Sasquatch Inn on the beach, except for Daisy who did her first XC flight landing on the beach on the south side of the river :-) Woodside Report - after we reassembled the troops and debriefed the Eagle Flights, we headed up Woodside for a few more flights in mild conditions, some new pilots to the area got four flights off Woodside today. We managed just the last flight at 3:30 pm before the sun started to set. Even I was able to fly despite catabatic winds off launch, bagging a beautiful sled ride as the sun set behind Sumas Mountain (and me with no camera). Sumas Report - some pilots were transmitting on 146.415 letting us know the conditions and although Duncan flew it sounds like the upper level wind foreast was off as the winds were more northerly at the PG launch. I overheard Duncan coaching someone on the radio about launching at the PG Launch, and then they were hanging in a tree (not sure who it was but they were okay). They later drove down unhurt. Other reports came from pilots later saying the winds had switched to tail at the PG launch (this really is a site you want to be off before 11:00 am in the winter as the sun leaves the slope much sooner). McGuire Report - (corrected report) I talked to Ivan T as he flew off McGuire, we had switched to 146.46 because the other channel had the Sumas Incident and he overheard us talking. He had flown a mini XC flight and was unsure whether he was going to make it to Eddie's LZ. He was having a beautiful flight and even caught some thermals that took him above launch.  |
November 2002 Site of the Day archives not a great flying month, lots of rain in the beginning and then super stable and inverted for the balance of the month. Even the Savona Road Trip wasn't that great. Looking forward to Mexico!
October 2002 Site of the Day archives Still soarable some days, great fun at the Women's Fly In 2002 in Chelan. Allan logged 15 hours and only flew a few days. Most of the students are ready for signoff soon to get ready for Mexico trips!
September 2002 Site of the Day archives Still soarable most everyday! Some scary incidents at Woodside. Fun flying at Ashcroft.
August 2002 Site of the Day archives More spring-like days with super lapse rates, great fun up-country at Revelstoke and Mara, with some good XCs for all.
July 2002 Site of the Day archives Some spring-like days with super lapse rates, but still rather wet at times.
June 2002 Site of the Day archives another rainy and windy month with great lapse rates, some great flights at Bridal with some getting above Cheam Peak. The Clup Cup was nearly rained out but they got one valid task in on Sunday June 30.
May 2002 Site of the Day archives an extremely rainy month with the more spring mayhem, another reserve deployment at Lil Nick and a pilot crashed at the top of Deroche Mountain, uninjured but with a ripped glider and long hike down the mountain. Colleen placed 5th place at the Canadian PG Nationals in rainy Lumby!
April 2002 Site of the Day archives a rainy month with the usual spring mayhem, one reserve deployment at Woodside and a pilot hit a parked car at Bridal LZ, fracturing his leg.
March 2002 Site of the Day archives a few great days days with lots of snow and rain mixed in.
February 2002 Site of the Day archives two epic days already (4.5 hours and 2.5 hours!).
January 2002 Site of the Day archives Mexico vacation shots, some local flying but it was wet on the coast.
December 2001 Site of the Day archives pretty stable locally, wettest December on record, some good days sprinkled thru the month.
November 2001 Site of the Day archives pretty stable locally, had some good days at Woodside +2 hours, lots of rain later in the month.
October 2001 Site of the Day archives pretty stable locally, but great flying at Chelan at the Women's Fly In.
September 2001 Site of the Day archives starting to get pretty stable, more sled rides forecast for October.
Aug 2001 Site of the Day archives Mara, Bridal, till some great flights locally
July 2001 Site of the Day archives Road Trip Month, Golden, Mara, points east!
June 2001 Site of the Day archives Great Month, 3 hours of airtime for some pilots every time they flew Bridal Lower! Some getting up to 6 hours in a single flight!
May 2001 Site of the Day archives Unstable Month, 2-3 hours of airtime for some pilots every time they flew Bridal Lower!
April 2001 Site of the Day archives Rainy Month, not as much airtime for some pilots
March 2001 Site of the Day archives Spring has Sprung!
February 2001 Site of the Day archives Spring is in the Air!
January 2001 Site of the Day archives - Mexico Flying Trip
December 2000 Site of the Day archives
November 2000 Site of the Day archives (great month for airtime!)
October 2000 Site of the Day archives
September 2000 Site of the Day archives
July - August 2000 Site of the Day archives
June 2000 Site of the Day archives
March - May 2000 Site of the Day archives
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