I Don't Understand Your Banter, Old Chap

by Bob Fletcher

Since the Second World War when the Germans wondered about the meaning of "Cabbage crates over the briny" aviation banter has evolved. Visitors to Sugarbush have often complained about the radio chatter without fully understanding its significance. I hope the following helps:

LX: LX 5 miles short of Jay.
John Murray has just passed Belvidere heading for Jay Peak (10 miles). This is the real reason that Dave Ellis developed his GPS system.

DJ: This is a classical contest situation.
The turn-point is in the rain. If you don't follow Doug Jacobs precisely you will land-out. PS. Don't play this game with less than 42:1.

TL: 90, where are you now?
Tony Lauck is behind the pack wanting detailed data on the thermals ahead so he can push hard for the strong ones and catch-up. Strange you never hear from Tony when he's in front!

90: Conditions could be better.
Bob Fletcher is on a 40:1 glide for Fried's field having not climbed since Blueberry lake. He hopes the ridge, now well above him, will work soon.

RC: I'll skip the final glide.
Harvey Howell still has 4 hours of day light left while the ridge is still working. No way is he going to land after only 5 hours!

GV: Conditions look better to the south.
George Vakkur is going to fly home to Northampton again. Carmel better hook-up the car soon.

X: This should not happen.
Ed Crawley just found a use for another nasty empirical coefficient regarding the sink behind Camel's Hump.

P3: The ridge is real good.
Peter Dandridge is running the Sugarbush bowl in a light east wind.

MQ: Any Sugarbush glider read MQ?
Steve Ludemann has pushed hard again early in the day and is currently sit's in Fried's field.

BS: TL how do you read my radio?
Well Brian, if truth be told you don't need a radio until you cross the interstate.

YG: YG ground, do you read?
Are you still looking after Brett?

Some memories from the past...

YA: Are you all pud-knockers?
Dennis Galotti is challenging the great white fleet to try a tricky turnpoint. Two thirds of those attempting it land out, YA and 90 climb away from 300'.

KT: You guys are crazy!
Chris Cartwright followed LX and 90 through the Granville Gulf on a marginal ridge day.

SM: It's tense.
John Seymour is currently ridge soaring a line of trees. Wait for the full story over beer tonight.

YO: Clear the runway.
Dave Nadler's flap handle on the whale has broken again. Check out the 38:1 approach.

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