One of my "goal" flights for the Fraser Valley is to achieve a 150km FAI triangle. Its a bit of a tough nut to crack as there is always one leg of the triangle that chokes up the length of the attempt and causes the FAI triangle to be shorter then the distance flown. What it comes down to is being able to get far enough north and far enough south on the western edge of the task area that a true 150 can be had.
Spring offers a few days every year to the attempt, on May 9th I was given a chance. This year had a new set of challenges tossed in... airspace changes. Most of the western edge of the task is limited to 6500 asl (over 6500asl is Class C with transponder requirements). Well its rare to get these sorts of altitudes in the Fraser Valley, its exactly those kinds of days make the 150 possible.
The reduced altitudes make my run out to Stave Lake fast but the a lack of clouds at my Western turn point make me turn and run east sooner then I wanted. There was so much development in the area I did not want to risk getting caught. My second turn point at Hope (Dog Mtn) was also clipped short as I ended up getting worried about getting out of Hope for the return leg (and getting stuck at Hope Gliding club). To get out of Hope I made a dash to the south side of the valley East of Laidlaw. From there it was an easy trek west.
(South side of the Valley, NE of Jones lake)
(Mount Cheam)
The 150 was still ppossible but it would mean flying deep south in the Chilliwack valley. Unfortunately, development in the area put the task out of reach. I did a dash part way into the Valley to stretch the leg but was getting snowed on, so I retreated back to the Fraser Valley.
Again, the new airspace rules gave me a new challenge. Last year I could have crossed back to Woodside without any sort of restrictions. This year you have to duck your head down and stay below 5500asl. I arrived back at Woodside with plenty of height. The net FAI triangle was 137km, perhaps there will be a few more chances before summer? Here is a link to The Flight .
