http://soaringspot.com/2012bsc/

http://tinyurl.com/bigspringspot

Big Spring blows up.

The models (RAP and NAM) were contradicting each other, one showing that we
would be completely covered with clouds and the other showed areas of lift. The
forecast for winds were also not in agreement. The local winds were 15 mph at 9
AM, but the forecasts seemed to indicate lighter winds.

The moisture and clouds from the night before were hanging around in the morning
and the local forecast was for a 40% chance of rain. It was hot and sunny on the
tarmac at the launch area with light winds at 1 PM.

The task committee delayed the launch after seeing cu-nimbs on radar over the
goal. Then called the task to the south to try to run from the cu-nimbs to the
northeast and delayed the task another fifteen minutes more.

The cu's started forming to our south in areas that had been covered with mid
level clouds as we started to launch. I was the sixth pilot in the air. I was
pulled toward a big cu to the southwest and pinned off in light lift at 2,000'
AGL. Ricker, Matt and I found better lift under the edge of the cu and started
climbing at 350 fpm.

Getting to over 7,000' I came around and saw that we were next to a rain shower.
We were only three kilometers southwest of the launch area. I immediately left
the area and headed east toward blue sky and isolated cu's. I had no desire to
be near this cu that was now towering and black and raining.

East of the runway I headed north back toward the airport as I watched pilots
continue to be towed into the air and wondered what was up. My radio wasn't
working so I didn't know if the task had been cancelled or not, but from the
activity it seemed to be on.

Then I noticed a tug stopped in front of the line of pilots and not going to the
tow position. That was enough to tell me that the day was called or about to be.
I could still see pilots thermaling in what looked like the rain showers to my
west.

I headed east to the Big Spring Country Club, which looked like it had a nice
landing area. There were wind mills nearby so I thought that I would have good
wind indicators. Unfortunately while they were next to each other they were
indicating winds in the opposite directions.

As I got lower I could feel the winds, but then saw that the flags in the
driving range were blowing the opposite direction. I fortunately came in and had
an uneventful landing, if not that elegant.

Back at the airfield, Joe Bostik was fighting for his life landing in a gust
front. The other pilots who didn't launch had scurried back into the hangar.
While I had headed east Zippy headed south to get away from the storm and landed
safely.