Sunday 26 January 2014

Friday 24th Jan

The weekend looked wet again (it was...) so we decided to fly Friday. In the end only I flew, off a winch from Doug and Phil. Another "14" vector launch into the bloody southerly. I did find climbs over the tailings but couldn't get up to cloudbase. Back to airfield after some considerable time, and I decided to try Waikerikeri Valley. Some nibbles there so I took a one-way punt on the translator ridge after seeing the roadside lucerne paddock was clear for landouts. Considerable high cloud was in by now, and the clouds were dying.
But I got a good climb from low level and eventually headed towards OW and Duffers where I got weak wave to 11,000'. But it didn't extend down the Nevis far (too SW?). The OM was socked-in with southerly murk coming up from the Clutha, but the the Southland side was convergence. I flew down there a wee ways til it was 100% cover. Next over to Dunstans where a dying convergence took me to the Northern end. I searched for wave in the lee but nothing found although there were lennies westwards. Back to land after nearly 4hrs. Thanks for helpers, including Nigel who helped me derig.

Tuesday 21 January 2014

21st Jan 2014

More winch driver training for Dave. John flew a visitor (Matt) from UK, and Doug flew Ami. It was a strong cool southerly so no real soaring except to hang-up for 20 mins in lift off the terrace. Thanks all.

Sunday 19 January 2014

Sunday 19th Jan 2014

A pathetic start to the year's soaring but at least we got airborne this month after a succession of wet/windy Sundays. Phil and I arrived to do a couple of winch launches, training up David Burke for winch driver duties (thanks Dave!). It was was a $hlt!y day again, between fronts with a brisk and gusty westerly. I rigged KG (there being no other takers). Derek kindly drove out to run my wing.

First flight was 15 mins. After a chin wag we tried again. This time I found 5kts and slowly wound up into the grey sky. Cloud base was 7000' (where it was raining). I didn't have the heart to dive downwind to the best of the Dunstan wave so landed after a couple of hours. Thanks guys!