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Operation Migration 2015 (2 Viewers)

11/07/2015—Two

A little background on Number Two:
http://operationmigration.org/InTheField/2015/11/03/different-drummer/

Starting their ultralights is like starting a lawn mower. Well, the pull cord pulled right on out. After considering trying it with just one ultralight, time was taken to fix it.

Having lost time, insomuch as a warming sunrise causes winds to act up, the decision was made to leave Number Two behind.

With Number Two crated up in the pen, an initial attempt to lead the other five failed. After the initial attempt was aborted, Number Two was allowed to participate in a second attempt.

See what happened next.
http://operationmigration.org/InTheField/2015/11/07/chase-pilot-report-day-39/
 
11/09/2015—Three-fer

First of all, I made a big mistake in my previous post. I thought I knew what was meant by the tern “two-fer”; however, as it turns out, I didn’t know what I was talking about. To make matters worse, I didn’t take the time to check the migration map: http://operationmigration.org/operation-migration-map.asp

The term “two-fer” actually meant that Operation Migration had migrated two days in a row, or—less likely—Number Two was again a solo follower. I leave it to you to decide.

Whatever the case, I apologize for both mistakes, and promise to be mindful of posting on assumptions and lack of research.

The “Two-fer” Lead Pilot Report from 11/08/2015 was late to appear, and today’s Lead Pilot Report has yet to be published; however, Operation Migration has reported that that they have migrated three days in a row.

A 3-peat

All six cranes flew the 59 miles to Piatt Co., IL. Everyone is safely on the ground!
http://operationmigration.org/InTheField/2015/11/09/day-41-a-3-peat/
Click to expand...

We’ll find out later how the events of today unfolded, but what follows are excerpts from the 11/08/2015 migration.

…I made a wide sweeping turn but Brooke was closer and dropped in to the lead while number 2-15 and I carried on….

…She dropped below the wing and began to pass me. I added power and pulled the wing back to go faster. Each time she went for the lead, I took it back. She put on a strong fight but her energy was finite while my engine just kept going. She would fall back and I would leave her there until she opened her beak to pant. Then I would slow and she would gratefully take the wing to rest. At some points we were flying at 54 mph, a good 16 mph faster than normal crane cruise speed….
http://operationmigration.org/InTheField/2015/11/09/day-40-lead-pilot-report/
Click to expand...

I think these guys (birds included) are worth far more than three thousand signatures.
http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/safeguard-the-future?source=s.em.mt&r_by=14458993
 
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11/10/2015—Planned Down Day

Today was a planned down day:
http://operationmigration.org/InTheField/2015/11/09/predicting-25/
http://operationmigration.org/InTheField/2015/11/10/day-42-staying-put/

What follows are excerpts from yesterday’s (11/09/2015) Lead Pilot Report by Brooke Pennypacker. As usual, I recommend skipping the excerpts and just activate the link.

10/09/2015 Lead Pilot Report
by Brooke Pennypacker

…Meanwhile, the birds proceeded to do their Class of 2015 things. For them, climbing seemed to remain a four letter word. #1-15 and #2-15, as expected, stood out as the more challenging members of the group with #6-15 coming in a close third. But the order or disorder of it all was as fascinating as it was challenging, as the answer to the “What’s It Like To Fly With Birds” question was “It’s like being a stage juggler trying to keep six plates spinning on the ends of some long sticks.”….

…Soon, #1-15 became just too unruly and disruptive for the class and I had to call the Principle…. ah, Joe for a pickup, which he skillfully performed….

…Down we came as down we must and soon….. (did I really just say “Soon”?)… we were on the ground at the pen with Joe landing triumphantly with #1 just behind us… truly the real feat of the day. Walt and Jeff, who had been below us the entire migration leg while driving in reverse, soon (there’s that word again!) arrived and the birds were once again safely in the pen…..
http://operationmigration.org/InTheField/2015/11/10/day-41-lead-pilot-report/
Click to expand...

As usual Brooke’s account was quite a treat, and Joe’s Chase Pilot Report is also worth the read. Skip the excerpts and enjoy.

11/09/2015 Chase Pilot Report
by Joe Duff

…Brooke took off with all of them and from the very start, there was no hesitation. Not one turned back or even looked like they were going to break. He flew low over the flyover site and started to climb….

…He could see that it was number 1-15 causing the problem so we decided to dump her but that too wasn’t easy. She would drop below the wing taking others with her and was always somewhere tangled in the flock. After another 20 minutes she dropped fifty feet below the trike, while the other five were all in line on the wingtip. Brooke took advantage and powered up, working the five to gain altitude. Soon the spread was 200 feet and I started to move in….

…We slowly climbed until we reached 3000 feet and for the last 30 minutes she never moved from my left wingtip. Even on the long descent she stayed close. For the last mile, Brooke and the other birds were in plain sight but she never left me….
http://operationmigration.org/InTheField/2015/11/10/day-40-chase-pilot-report/
Click to expand...

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http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/safeguard-the-future?source=s.em.mt&r_by=14458993
 
11/11/2015—Repairs, Loose Ends, and Wind of an Approaching Storm

Instead, we’ll be setting up the pen at the next site in Cumberland County, finishing repairs on one of the vehicles and running errands.

We’re expecting very strong winds to blow through, beginning this evening and continuing through tomorrow.
http://operationmigration.org/InTheField/2015/11/11/day-43-no-flight-today/
Click to expand...

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http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/safeguard-the-future?source=s.em.mt&r_by=14458993
 
11/12/2015—40MPH Winds

Wicked Wind

Storms moved through beginning at 6 pm last evening and the winds kept getting stronger throughout the night with gusts of 40 mph.

The cranes were checked on a couple times in the wee hours and they’re just fine.

The wind advisory remains in effect until 6 pm tonight. Needless to say, we’re not going anywhere today.
http://operationmigration.org/InTheField/2015/11/12/day-44-wicked-wind/
Click to expand...

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11/14/2015—Return To Base

They took off, they tried, but the winds were just too still.

No Go

The light south winds turned out to be more than light once the pilots and cranes were on course. Today’s flight turned into a 15 minute exercise session instead.

On course they were traveling at 22 mph. Once turned around and heading back north to the pen they were flying at 66 mph. That should give you some indication of the headwind.

[See the image captured by Sharon Miner shortly after takeoff.]
http://operationmigration.org/InTheField/2015/11/14/day-46-no-go/
Click to expand...

What follows are excerpts from today’s rather interesting Lead Pilot Report.

…At 300 feet our ground speed was only 17 mph and the GPS said it would take us 3 hours and 20 minutes to reach our destination. But the birds seemed locked on and they were climbing well so we kept going, hoping to improve our time as we got higher.

Two miles out from the starting point, they broke abruptly and turned back….

…Birds instinctively know good migration days and will sit at one location until the weather changes in their favor. Plodding along at 17mph is hard work and they are not stupid enough to paddle up stream – like us.

When I chased them back, my speed, combined with the now, tailwind, meant I was heading north at over 60 mph. Brooke told me I had one bird still on my wing and guess who was there…? Sticking to me like glue, was number 1-15!...
http://operationmigration.org/InTheField/2015/11/14/day-46-lead-pilot-report/
Click to expand...

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11/15/2015—Winds Still from the South

South winds continue to blow, which means we’ll be staying in Piatt County, IL for another day.
http://operationmigration.org/InTheField/2015/11/15/day-47-winds-continue/
Click to expand...

The final destination for Operation Migration is St. Mark’s National Wildlife Refuge, which is located in Florida. Activate the following link to get a little taste of what takes to get the Whooping Cranes winter home in order.

Preparing for the Class of 2015 at St. Mark’s
http://operationmigration.org/InTheField/2015/11/15/preparing-for-the-class-of-2015-at-st-marks-nwr/

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11/16/2015—Summer Breezes Flowing from the South

South Winds

One look at the winds aloft tells the story – South. Winds. Continue. [See weather map.]
http://operationmigration.org/InTheField/2015/11/16/day-48-south-winds/
Click to expand...

Yes, the remnants of summer breezes are holding on, but there’s a chill in the air that’s proliferating; and soon the air and the wind will be as cold as ice. Although the last vestiges of summer’s warmth won’t us fly away now, let’s take a moment to reminisce, pretend it’s something that it’s not, and remember being content with where we were: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pC1K1AYvtAo

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11/17/2015—Rainy and Windy

Just for a bit of weather variety, today it’s raining (along with the wind, of course)….

…Standing down.
http://operationmigration.org/InTheField/2015/11/17/day-49-rain-wind/
Click to expand...

Two OM Whooping Cranes have been spotted already at St. Mark’s.

Just off the phone with St. Marks NWR manager Terry Peacock.

They’re out at the winter pen site doing some final prep work and they spotted Whooping cranes 5-12 & 9-14 at their favorite small Pond a short distance from the pen!
http://operationmigration.org/InTheField/2015/11/17/breaking-news-2/
Click to expand...

5-12: http://www.learner.org/jnorth/tm/crane/12/BandingCodes1205.html
9-14: http://www.learner.org/jnorth/tm/crane/14/BandingCodes_1409.html

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http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/safeguard-the-future?source=s.em.mt&r_by=14458993
 
11/18/2015—High Hot Winds from the South Following Northeasterly Moving Rain Storm

An intense line of storms moved through Illinois overnight, bringing heavy rain and strong southerly winds, which buffeted the RV’s and made for a sleepless night for most.

Those south winds will continue throughout the day, reaching speeds of close to 30 mph….
http://operationmigration.org/InTheField/2015/11/18/day-50-very-warm-windy/
Click to expand...

See photos of Mr. 5-12 and Miss 3-14, who were spotted in St. Mark’s yesterday: http://operationmigration.org/InTheField/2015/11/18/st-marks-arrivals/

Those photos represent the results of an enormous amount of risk, work, sacrifice, and dedication on the part of Operation Migration staff. They want to continue their efforts. Please help Operation Migration to be able to continue their efforts.
http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/safeguard-the-future?source=s.em.mt&r_by=14458993
 
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11/20/2015—Six Launched Together and a Half Dozen Landed Together

What follows are excerpt from today’s Lead Pilot Report, (which happens to includes a couple of cool pics ;)

First we thought it was number 1-15. Then all the evidence pointed to number 2-15. With each flight we learn something but we don’t fly often enough to learn quickly or maybe I’m just a slow learner….

…Number 2-15 pulled her usual stuff and tried to lead the aircraft and number 1-15 dropped below the wing, taking a few others with her. At one point, I noticed both of them on my right wing, fighting for the lead and I realized it was not 1 or 2 – but both, competing for top dog position….

…Periodically, numbers 1 and 2 would each take a lead position on opposite wingtips and only then would things settle down….

…This flight was the first time all six birds followed one aircraft for a complete leg unless you count the very first stopover. That was only a four mile trip back when the birds were young and eager. Seems like a year ago….
http://operationmigration.org/InTheField/2015/11/20/day-52-lead-pilot-report/
Click to expand...

Distance Traveled: 56 miles
Flight Time: 1 hour, 43 minutes
New Location: Cumberland County, IL

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11/21/2015—Rain

Rain & Possible Snow

Areas to the north of us will be getting their first taste of winter and we’re currently being rained on.

With temps dropping throughout the day, there is a chance that we too will see some wet snow.

We’ll be standing down today and hoping conditions for tomorrow will allow us to head to our last Illinois migration stop in Wayne County.
http://operationmigration.org/InTheField/2015/11/21/day-53-rain-possible-snow/
Click to expand...

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11/23/2015—Down Today after Up Yesterday

Today:

Standing Down

Winds this morning are from the southwest and just a tad too strong (again). We’ll be staying put today in Wayne County, IL and hoping tomorrow’s conditions will allow us to advance into Kentucky.
http://operationmigration.org/InTheField/2015/11/23/standing-down-8/
Click to expand...

Yesterday, Brooke Pennypacker was the lead pilot; and if you’ve ever read one of his Lead Pilot Reports, you know you’re in for a treat. If you haven’t read one before, reading this one will allow you to understand why I can’t bring myself to offer an excerpt. Enjoy:
http://operationmigration.org/InTheField/2015/11/23/day-54-lead-pilot-report/

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11/24/2015—Unofficial Report

There was a flight this morning; and as of 10:41 eastern, all six whoopers, Joe, and Brooke are safely on the ground, somewhere in Kentucky.
 
11-24-2015—45 Miles, 2 Hours and 30 Minutes…

…but they made it.

Lead Pilot Report

…I took them east for a long ways because they were following well and I didn’t want to change anything. I was trying to get them far enough away to lessen their attraction to the pen – but it didn’t work.

Twenty six minutes later, we were still within a mile of our starting point. Each time they broke, it was number 2-15 that led them away. When I took over the lead again, some birds would lock on but number 2 would lead them away again. It was interesting to note that number 1-15 was always the last to leave and the first to rejoin….

…A mile or so later, number 2 broke them again and I chased them back. I caught up just as they were approaching the interstate and the heavy traffic turned them to the west.

They flew parallel to the highway with Brooke on their right and me on their left. We tried to box them in and as we turned them back on course, all the birds moved to Brooke’s aircraft. I climbed up into the chase position and things settled down for a few minutes.

Two birds on his right wing made an abrupt turn-around while the others stayed with Brooke. I chased them north once more and managed to collect numbers 8-15 and 11-15. They formed on my wing and followed me for a few more miles before breaking again. Three times I chased them back north and three times they let me pick them up. By this time, Brooke and the other four birds were ten miles ahead while we banged along in rough air at 200 feet making 28 mph….
http://operationmigration.org/InTheField/2015/11/24/day-56-lead-pilot-report/
Click to expand...

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