Aram Schlosberg

Are we using the Lost Hill’s site rationally – the answer is both yes and no.

Currently, all the cars are parked on top of the hill. There is a ridge running

towards the west-south west which is the permanent flying line. (One can

actually see the site on maps.goggle.com).  Occasionally, at the Finals or

at a World Championship, another line, in the form of an “X” is run diagonally,

from the north-west to the south-east, crossing the line at about a third of

the way.

During the last Finals (2006), I happened to fly at one of the low poles of the

standard line – meaning that I was on the east side of the line. The wind/drift

was coming from the north-east, which meant that me and my neighbors

were the goats of everyone further down the line.  A formal protest could not

rotate the line.

This experience was repeated on Saturday during the ’08 Maxmen. Starting

at a low pole (2) with the drift from the north-east.  A lone streamer stood

upwind, and many smiling faces downwind/drift.  A formal protest was in vain.

The drift remained from the north east practically all day. By the 7-minute flyoff,

a new line, perpendicular to the regular line suddenly appeared, following a

suggestion by Buzz Avrill. The fliers had no problem walking over with their

models and flying from the new line. (This bodes well for the ‘08 Finals which

Buzz will manage).

The wind/drift at Lost Hills rotates over the day. In the absence of a major

weather system, the prevailing wind/drift tens to roughly be in the direction

of the sun. It is also obvious that more “standard” lines are needed.

The question is where?

The surprising answer is that a new north-south line should run exactly on

the west side of the parking lot. In other words, the parking area occupies

the most desirable part of the field!  If one comes to trim alone, the natural

choice would be to park on the highest point of the field and tow/launch in

any direction. It seems that parking at this spot has become a habit, and

consequently, the parking area in contest just takes up the best real estate. 

A proof is the large number of landings between or on the parked cars.

Essentially, I’m suggesting that, during a contest, that the parking area

be moved due south, just south of the east-west road. This would allow

contestants to easily reach the current west-south-west line and a new

north-south line on the western side of the current parking lot. And when

the wind blows from the west, to fly from a north-south line along the

western part of the field.

A new north-south line and relocating the parking would circumvent the

many smiling faces downwind/drift. Changing flight lines once or twice

during the day means that each of us is flying against mother nature –

which is the essence of a well run contest.