The warm winter this year in Colorado has given the local pilots a chance to soar the winter thermals. The unusually warm weather and light breezes made for a perfect winter soaring day. These pictures were taken on New Year\'s Day 2009 from Section 16 outside Colorado Springs in the foothills of Pikes Peak.
Section 16 is a Vol Bivouac site with an hour hike to launch. Launch altitude is 2300 MSL and flights regularly soar over 3500 MSL, conditions can change rapidly. The Atis II is a great mountain wing, it is lightweight, packs small, and has great penetration and handling in rapidly changing mountain air. Thanks to Claude Thurnheer at Air Turquoise in Villenueve for helping me discover this great wing!
Pilots are Ted „Dr. Sky“ Smith on the Atis II and Jimmy „Daily“ Strickland on the Firebird Spyder. (Both Alexander Paux designs).