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[shep]

August 22, 2015       day   Shepnotes
No training on weekends til Sept

Adult whoopers visit the marsh Aug 21
3 cranes from the OM previous years marched the runway, this way then that way
#4 and  #9 from 2013 and  #7 from 2014
There are a total of 9 adult whoopers  at White River Marsh Wisconsin
http://www.wildearth.tv/videomark/3-whooping-cranes-visit

[baziunc]

Thanks for the update, Shep.

LOL on all the adult whoopers visiting there.  I don't think I can remember hearing about so many adults there at one time this time of year before.  Does anyone else know if there have been 9 adult whoopers here at the same time this time of year in any previous years?  LOL - I wonder what the adults are saying about the colts, and vice versa. 

[shep]

baz, I looked in my archives for this pic for you - taken in July 2014 - last year -
on the Wisconsin marsh runway.  Cranes 2, 4, 5 and 9  grazing from the year 2013
Jo-Anne Bellemer took photo.

Sadly, mortality is very high, and not many whoopers survive for various reasons.

[baziunc]

Thanks, Shep.  That's such a good photo.   

(But you said there were nine adult whoopers there today - right?)

I am aware of the mortality statistics.  It is sad, but I hope for the best.  So much has been learned along the way, which helps in many ways.  I've been following this project for many, many years now.

[shep]

August 24, 2015       day   Shepnotes
No training today, wind, but here is an article on the trike

The New Aircraft
FAA nonsense is creating troubles for pilots and cranes.
For details read Joe's report heavily edited by me!   

Aug. 24, 2015 by OM pilot and speaker Joe Duff
When you use an aircraft to lead Whooping cranes on their first migration there is a lot to worry about.

concern for the bird?s safety
delayed migration
team dynamics
WCEP matters
thoughts of the new aircraft.

Delving into the manufacturing of LSA trikes and the FAA regulations becomes complex very quickly.  Ultralights (the trike) powered by small engines the FAA required new construction standards.  The old trikes don?t meet the new standards, so when the FAA gave us an exemption to fly them (for a year), they asked us to upgrade .. means more weight and that equates to more speed. 

The heavier aircraft needs a bigger wing from North Wing. The Washington state wildfires came VERY close to North Wing shop.  North Wing is building 2 more wings for our 2 other aircraft.

Recently, the birds have been flying for 20 minutes or more at a time and managing to keep up with us. As they mature, their speed increases and we are now past that critical period when we need to fly as slowly as possible.
http://operationmigration.org/InTheField/2015/08/24/the-new-aircraft-2

[omasawyer]

  Shep: thanks for the beautiful photos of the WB's. Joe's article made it very clear what they have to go through but I am glad he will finally get some sleep
hoping for a clear day tomorrow

[baziunc]

Hi Oma!  Thanks, Shep!

I'm a private pilot, so I know about FAA regulations, even though I haven't flown ultralight aircraft.  The new requirements which make for a heavier, faster trike present new challenges for future years of training the young whoopers, especially when they are just beginning to learn to fly and follow.  I think OM should seriously consider requestiong additional exemption possibilities - even if just for during the early training phases.  ... a new wrinkle that makes for new challenges and concerns.

Perhaps they need to look into backpack human flying kits?  There are several already developed, and new ones are being worked on, too.  Think it's silly?  It could become a serious consideration - if not now, in the very near future.  (I wouldn't fly one.  But I wouldn't fly an ultralight either.   LOL )  Here's just one example machine - there are others:
http://www.trendhunter.com/trends/skyflash-jet-powered-human

[omasawyer]

baz; the backpack in your video looks comfortable at least

What do you fly??
Where from??

Thanks to Eagle-Duck ( who was the most patient man) I finally have an Avatar and it definitely resembles me

[baziunc]

baz; the backpack in your video looks comfortable at least

What do you fly??
Where from??

Thanks to Eagle-Duck ( who was the most patient man) I finally have an Avatar and it definitely resembles me

Oma, I love your new avatar!  E-D is such a kind person who helps many people with that task.  He is da bomb!

I haven't piloted a plane in a long time now, but when I flew regularly, I flew single engine land planes - all different types - vintage, classic, military, and new planes, too.  I was lucky enough to fly out of a small private airfield where a lot of current and retired commercial airline pilots, and other pilots of varied interesting backgrounds and flight experiences, hangared and worked on and flew their wonderful array of aircraft, and they often invited me to fly with them.  It was a blast ... and made for some interesting entries in my Log Book... a long time ago.

[shep]

August 25
No training - wind

Oam - love your avatar - and Educk is really cool

baz - What military plane did you fly?
Fascinating your a pilot!  

[shep]

August 26, 2015       Wenzday   Shepnotes
6.33   Brooke lands with trike
6.34   Colts took off - without trike - again - this time farther out before returning
  -  lol its funny - naughty! but funny!
6.39 am  finally trike is off with 5 colts behind, #8 wouldnt follow trike
  -  Brooke buzzed the runway to coax her up, but she refused
6.45  Brooke landed to check her out

#8  light blue  didnt follow trike. Guess she just had a lil hissy fit

6.55  All 6 colts up with trike.  Flew 4 minutes
6.59  landed.  End of training

Today was the colts first flight with the new transmitters OM put on Friday, Aug. 21
I cant find videos anymore 
I am so disappointed Keith isnt posting videos anymore.
It was so easy to take screen shots off youtube.
He probably would have the video of that

[omasawyer]

baz; fascinating life as pilot...I loved flying anywhere and I always felt safer in a Large jet than on the freeways in Houston town. Fortunately, my profession allowed me to fly to many, many countries and I loved it Only flew in 4 seaters out of country 

shep: I want videos too even though the photos that you posted were very good; even in the dense mist or fog. Thanks for those

[shep]

August 27, 2015       Thurzday   Shepnotes
Fog delay - finally training cancelled
Friday rain is predicted and they arent flying on weekends til Sept.
I wont post again unless they fly.

August 26, 2015 training
http://www.wildearth.tv/videomark/whooping-crane-training-aug-26-2015
http://operationmigration.org/InTheField

[baziunc]

Thanks, Shep!  I hope the weather improves.  And you found videos from yesteday, too!

Hi Oma!

[shep]

August 28, 2015       Flyday
6.39    trike lands and they're off - no waiting
6.59  theyre down
7.10 after a cooldown, they took off agin
didnt record landing
Training went well, they flew high today - hardly see em in the mist