Monday 21 October 2013

Sunday 20th October: Wave again...

We had an early start (remembering that last Sunday we were blown-out by noon). It was westerly again, with an obvious wave band over the Clutha. New member (and experienced glider pilot) Jose was keen to sample his first wave, and what a good day! He and John were first up in JW. Gary towed them straight into low level wave, and 20 mins after takeoff they were heading to Roxburgh at 10,000'. After a quick trip back to Alex they did some flight exercises (stalls, spins etc) and were back on the ground after an hour.

Meanwhile Brian and Phil were soon both established in the Old Man Wave. Doug took over X/C instruction duties, this time with Allen. They headed over to the Waikaia headwaters and followed the wave north to Duffers Saddle, then ran down the Nevis. Brian was hard on their heals in KD and he continued south to reach Garston.

Brian's neat 180 deg panorama, +15kts up in the Nevis
John got airborne in KG and followed the Waikaia wave south til it ran out, then pushed west into the back of Mid Dome looking for more lift but finding little. He turned at Athol and came home via Nevis with a side trip to St Bathans.

ERW was booked for some other flying but Gary kindly came back to give JW a final tow, this time with Jack and Doug, another great X/C trip down the Nevis.

So another good wave day, fairly localized perhaps being pretty westerly, which suits the OM and Garvies. No sun and -5 at height which was cold enough.

Tuesday 15 October 2013

Sunday 13th October

An interesting day flying from Omarama in LP.
Took off with full ballast (100ltrs) shortly after midday into a gusty and rough Norwester. I climbed quickly over the nursery ridge then headed to the Ewe range and a few beats over Hugo's. The Dunstan wave crossed over the Hawkduns a few Km's south so I committed to this and found lift well in front and below the cloud. I sometimes had a ground speed over 100 knts heading south. Overhead Alex I could see aircraft on the field, but no reply to calls. The wave continued unbroken, although there were weaker unmarked gaps down to Piano Flat, where I turned due to solid cloud. The run North back to the Hawkduns was often over 150 knts, stopped to call at Alex, still no reply and saw gliders being put away. The wave appeared to extend well north of lake Benmore. I went west to the Ben Ohau wave, and north as far as possible to a mass of cloud in the lee of Mt Cook. I had to slow down while descending due to turbulence. 1000ft/min+ up with airbrakes fully deployed. I landed with the water still on to avoid getting banged around.
OLC reports 513Km, 3hrs 1min, average speed 170km/h.

Apparently they had one launch at Alex and had to abandon flying due to rough conditions.

Link to some photos from the flight. https://plus.google.com/photos/106438043627549625814/albums/5934515935752227425

Pete

Tuesday 8 October 2013

Sunday 6th October

ERW is back! And was in use all day. In the morning Matt, Nick and Neil all flew ERW, and I think Stephen flew PM. In between, Russell towed the gliders up (thanks!).

It was an OK soaring day, with thermals to 6000' and good wave above (though hard to reach).
The first JW flight was John and Pete (his BFR), then Phil was away in KJ for much of the day enjoying good soaring. Pete flew Jack's father and Jack's sister. Jack also flew JW at the end of the day. John gave KG a good airing when he managed to contact the wave, flying between St Bathans and down to Waikaia.

The wave was near continuous from St Bathans to Waikaia


Sunday 22nd Sept

Another winching day, not much sun but some lift. We had a couple of trial flights (John and Doug flew these), plus I think every one else got some flying done.