Wednesday 31 December 2008
Monday 29 December 2008
Sunday 28 December 2008
Saturday 27 December 2008
Friday 26 December 2008
Thursday 25 December 2008
MERRY CHRISTMAS
Hi All
And a Merry Christmas to you all. We had a Christmas Eve supper with old friends and Christmas Lunch with family. All are happy and content ...
Everything is (nearly) packed for the long journey to Welkom tomorrow - and the weather for the first four days of the contest looks interesting.
But before we get there a few photographs that have been hiding on my camera
A kite exhibition by Kara and her class friends
Rudi and I high above Matroosberg in September
A surprise for Uli Gmelin - he gets ready for a flight with Martin in the Taurus - they covered 856km - an amazing flight (check on 29 November OLC)
Volker and I having fun in the Twin Astir - it was also an unexpected nice front ridge day (OLC 14 December).
EY
And a Merry Christmas to you all. We had a Christmas Eve supper with old friends and Christmas Lunch with family. All are happy and content ...
Everything is (nearly) packed for the long journey to Welkom tomorrow - and the weather for the first four days of the contest looks interesting.
But before we get there a few photographs that have been hiding on my camera
A kite exhibition by Kara and her class friends
Rudi and I high above Matroosberg in September
A surprise for Uli Gmelin - he gets ready for a flight with Martin in the Taurus - they covered 856km - an amazing flight (check on 29 November OLC)
Volker and I having fun in the Twin Astir - it was also an unexpected nice front ridge day (OLC 14 December).
EY
Sunday 12 October 2008
A rescue mission with a difference
Summer is slowly coming, and we are all looking at the weather. Here is a met forecast with a difference. I hope the mission is successful ...
Date: Fri, Oct 10 2008 12:21 am
From: "Dr Ross Hofmeyr"
The FLYCAST is early today, by virtue of the fact that we have flight operations of our own today and are watching the weather like hawks. Briefly, a member of the Norwegian research team at Troll station, who are our closest 'neighbours' here in Antarctica, was injured a week ago and desperately needs surgery. We are cut off from them by the world's second largest glacier - the Jutulstraumen - and thus unable to assist at the moment with supplies and manpower. A daring rescue attempt has been launched - a jet left Cape Town at 0500 GMT and will try land on the ice at Troll despite the suboptimal weather. If they come all the way here and then can't land, they don't have sufficient endurance to return to SA, so we're all on tenterhooks. SANAE is providing communications and flight following for the aircraft.
We've requested to be allowed to travel overland to Troll in the event that the flight can't make it, to deliver medicines and other supplies, but it's a challenging journey across 300km of mostly uncharted and crevassed terrain with significant risk. So, even while you are enjoying the good weather in the Cape this weekend, hold thumbs for clear skies over Antarctica so that the injured man can be rescued.
If that was the bad news, here is the good: Flying in and around Cape Town looks grand this weekend, and the forecast for the rescheduled Gatskop at Porterville couldn't be much better. Grab your wings and get going, because it's going to be great.
WEEKEND OVERVIEW
A linked high pressure system over the Atlantic and SA interior is moderating the weather conditions and should ensure clear skies for most of the weekend. There is a significant low in the South Atlantic but it looks to be staying down near my end, so expect it to feed into the highs with SW'lies and later SE. However, as the front progresses the wind should back
to SW, promising awesome flying on Sunday (and Monday too, if your name is Nieft).
SPECIAL FOCUS - PORTERVILLE
Well, the Gatskop is on for this weekend, and the weather looks very promising. I give it 100 % for flyability (determined by the chance for a foofie) for the weekend, and expect there to me some reasonable XC. Porterville will escape the stronger winds in the Peninsula and with clear skies promises to be great flying, starting round about... now. The forecast is for light westerlies from late morning, becoming light to moderate (SW12) in the late afternoon today, so if you are heading out for the weekend try to break away a little earlier and get a flight in.
Saturday dawns with the wind lightly over the back, but at 10h43 the first gentle thermals are going to make launching a breeze and by 12h28 it should be easily maintainable. Expect light westerlies becoming stronger SW in the evening - wonderful! In the evening the winds become more variable, and I suspect that returning to the Lodge by air will be feasible if the thermals hold out. Sunday will dawn with light W again, becoming gradually more S
through the day. I expect instructors will be throwing students off from first light and we'll see excellent XC later in the day from the Skygods. Lapse rates are not ideal and there is a likelihood of an inversion (my crystal ball is a bit foggy that far in advance) but if it is weak and dissipates then Citrusdal/Clanwilliam are looking mighty close.
IF YOU'RE NOT GOING AWAY...
...then there are still plenty of great options:
Friday 10 October
Loooooovely light westerly's going SW and clear skies. Time to '...wheel and soar and swing high in the sunlit silence'!
Lion's Head - 90%
Moderate W going SW towards evening. Like Steve Erwin would say: "Whadaa beauuuuuty!" Fly fly fly. TM, Apostles, here we come.
SLP - 88%
W11 at 11h00, going WSW and picking up after lunch. Should be fantastic. Misty Cliffs - 86%
Same patterns as LH and SLP, but staying WSW much longer. May be slightly light (necessitating a longer walk) but will be uncomplicated and beautiful until sunset. Stunning.
Llandudno - 80%
If the westerly element is still predominant, this is the time to get up at LLH and fly the Apostles to La Med. I love these conditions when they happen. Bliss.
Saturday 11 October
At the sea, a more S/SE wind changes the shift from the mountain sites to coastal soaring. Wind strengths will increase with the arrival of the SE.
Betty's Bay - 90%
Moderate SE in the late morning become strong only in the late afternoon (SE24 at 17h00), making the site pleasantly flyable for most of the day.
Hermanus - 78%
Likely very nice from late morning till late afternoon, when it might become fairly strong (SE20).
Wolfgat - 70%
Yep, soaring is for the birds... and us. Forecast is on the light side (SSE19 being the max) but if BB/Hermanus blows out this will be the place to stop on the way home. Afternoon soaring likely to be pleasant.
Sunday 12 October
The SE backs to SW, and more flying ensues. Hooray!
Betty's Bay - 90%
Gosh, what a grand site. SE12->S14->SW17. Take sandwiches and a flask of tea for in-fllight refuelling and you could be up all day long.
SLP - 85%
Working from late morning (SW12-17) for most of the day. Should be thermic, too, so the peaks beckon.
Lion's Head - 80%
Morning only, as it's going to get too strong after lunch. Should be straight up the front at sunrise.
Misty Cliffs - 60%
Strong (SW20) at the risk of blowing out but allowing a lower launch, and watch penetration when high, but this place has a lift band right out to sea and is very laminar in these conditions.
My pick for the weekend? Gatskop, of course. Great kuier combined with great flying... bliss.
Fly safe,
voidhawk.
Martin Gruenert also said Monday was going to be great - wish i could fly ...
EY
Date: Fri, Oct 10 2008 12:21 am
From: "Dr Ross Hofmeyr"
The FLYCAST is early today, by virtue of the fact that we have flight operations of our own today and are watching the weather like hawks. Briefly, a member of the Norwegian research team at Troll station, who are our closest 'neighbours' here in Antarctica, was injured a week ago and desperately needs surgery. We are cut off from them by the world's second largest glacier - the Jutulstraumen - and thus unable to assist at the moment with supplies and manpower. A daring rescue attempt has been launched - a jet left Cape Town at 0500 GMT and will try land on the ice at Troll despite the suboptimal weather. If they come all the way here and then can't land, they don't have sufficient endurance to return to SA, so we're all on tenterhooks. SANAE is providing communications and flight following for the aircraft.
We've requested to be allowed to travel overland to Troll in the event that the flight can't make it, to deliver medicines and other supplies, but it's a challenging journey across 300km of mostly uncharted and crevassed terrain with significant risk. So, even while you are enjoying the good weather in the Cape this weekend, hold thumbs for clear skies over Antarctica so that the injured man can be rescued.
If that was the bad news, here is the good: Flying in and around Cape Town looks grand this weekend, and the forecast for the rescheduled Gatskop at Porterville couldn't be much better. Grab your wings and get going, because it's going to be great.
WEEKEND OVERVIEW
A linked high pressure system over the Atlantic and SA interior is moderating the weather conditions and should ensure clear skies for most of the weekend. There is a significant low in the South Atlantic but it looks to be staying down near my end, so expect it to feed into the highs with SW'lies and later SE. However, as the front progresses the wind should back
to SW, promising awesome flying on Sunday (and Monday too, if your name is Nieft).
SPECIAL FOCUS - PORTERVILLE
Well, the Gatskop is on for this weekend, and the weather looks very promising. I give it 100 % for flyability (determined by the chance for a foofie) for the weekend, and expect there to me some reasonable XC. Porterville will escape the stronger winds in the Peninsula and with clear skies promises to be great flying, starting round about... now. The forecast is for light westerlies from late morning, becoming light to moderate (SW12) in the late afternoon today, so if you are heading out for the weekend try to break away a little earlier and get a flight in.
Saturday dawns with the wind lightly over the back, but at 10h43 the first gentle thermals are going to make launching a breeze and by 12h28 it should be easily maintainable. Expect light westerlies becoming stronger SW in the evening - wonderful! In the evening the winds become more variable, and I suspect that returning to the Lodge by air will be feasible if the thermals hold out. Sunday will dawn with light W again, becoming gradually more S
through the day. I expect instructors will be throwing students off from first light and we'll see excellent XC later in the day from the Skygods. Lapse rates are not ideal and there is a likelihood of an inversion (my crystal ball is a bit foggy that far in advance) but if it is weak and dissipates then Citrusdal/Clanwilliam are looking mighty close.
IF YOU'RE NOT GOING AWAY...
...then there are still plenty of great options:
Friday 10 October
Loooooovely light westerly's going SW and clear skies. Time to '...wheel and soar and swing high in the sunlit silence'!
Lion's Head - 90%
Moderate W going SW towards evening. Like Steve Erwin would say: "Whadaa beauuuuuty!" Fly fly fly. TM, Apostles, here we come.
SLP - 88%
W11 at 11h00, going WSW and picking up after lunch. Should be fantastic. Misty Cliffs - 86%
Same patterns as LH and SLP, but staying WSW much longer. May be slightly light (necessitating a longer walk) but will be uncomplicated and beautiful until sunset. Stunning.
Llandudno - 80%
If the westerly element is still predominant, this is the time to get up at LLH and fly the Apostles to La Med. I love these conditions when they happen. Bliss.
Saturday 11 October
At the sea, a more S/SE wind changes the shift from the mountain sites to coastal soaring. Wind strengths will increase with the arrival of the SE.
Betty's Bay - 90%
Moderate SE in the late morning become strong only in the late afternoon (SE24 at 17h00), making the site pleasantly flyable for most of the day.
Hermanus - 78%
Likely very nice from late morning till late afternoon, when it might become fairly strong (SE20).
Wolfgat - 70%
Yep, soaring is for the birds... and us. Forecast is on the light side (SSE19 being the max) but if BB/Hermanus blows out this will be the place to stop on the way home. Afternoon soaring likely to be pleasant.
Sunday 12 October
The SE backs to SW, and more flying ensues. Hooray!
Betty's Bay - 90%
Gosh, what a grand site. SE12->S14->SW17. Take sandwiches and a flask of tea for in-fllight refuelling and you could be up all day long.
SLP - 85%
Working from late morning (SW12-17) for most of the day. Should be thermic, too, so the peaks beckon.
Lion's Head - 80%
Morning only, as it's going to get too strong after lunch. Should be straight up the front at sunrise.
Misty Cliffs - 60%
Strong (SW20) at the risk of blowing out but allowing a lower launch, and watch penetration when high, but this place has a lift band right out to sea and is very laminar in these conditions.
My pick for the weekend? Gatskop, of course. Great kuier combined with great flying... bliss.
Fly safe,
voidhawk.
Martin Gruenert also said Monday was going to be great - wish i could fly ...
EY
Tuesday 23 September 2008
Sunday 6 July 2008
The countdown
We are now in the last stage before the games begin, all that remains is for our team captain, Ulf, to give us instructions on the parade at the opening ceremony in three hours time. I have been remiss in making regulars postings and cannot make any promises for the next two weeks (but will try). It is very hot and the rest day is very welcome. I have flown on all days but one and I hope the hours time will stand me in good stead. The guys fly very well and it is a great privilege to share the air with all of them. There is an air of quiet expectancy at the airfield - all but one of the formalities have been completed. What follows is 12 days of hard flying. I miss my family very much, but Ulf is looking after me.
regards to all
Sven
regards to all
Sven
Tuesday 1 July 2008
Big storm with hail
everyone is arriving!!! Yesterday we had a big storm on the airfield. Further south there was hail damage. The flying was very nice and i had a nice long run to the south, with long glides ;-)
Today was also fun, though i struggled to get away, but once going it was great. Storms on Velino stopped me on the way south and on i ran far north and to the east - VERY NICE. I was called back at 5h30 with another storm approaching the airfield from the south. A quick landing and derigg followed.
Another great days flying in Rieti ;-)
Last nite Art Grant came for supper and just up the road we have Darius L and his team mate as neighbours.
All for now
Regards
Sven
Today was also fun, though i struggled to get away, but once going it was great. Storms on Velino stopped me on the way south and on i ran far north and to the east - VERY NICE. I was called back at 5h30 with another storm approaching the airfield from the south. A quick landing and derigg followed.
Another great days flying in Rieti ;-)
Last nite Art Grant came for supper and just up the road we have Darius L and his team mate as neighbours.
All for now
Regards
Sven
Friday 27 June 2008
STORMY
Storms yesterday, and more for today. I am slowly settling into EX (with the assistance of Ulf). Last night Spain made it into the final against Germany on Sunday - so no outlandings then.
At the moment still all blue, but some light cu on Terminillo, it will go up quickly.
The airport is filling up, the latest arrivals the Russian team - mostly from Novo Siebirsk. We travel to and from the apartment by bike - 8km or so. A refreshing ride! The rigging and derigging is smooth and we have entertaining briefings at nine by Allessandro. The Italians are rushing the completion of the office buildings for the contest.
I will try to post some photo's this evening or tomorrow.
We still await the arrival of Andrew and Janine.
regards for now
Sven
PS Volker, we got your message, look forward to seeing you (the train is best from Rome). My Italian cell number 3490516400 (international code +39) and Ulf 3400704650
At the moment still all blue, but some light cu on Terminillo, it will go up quickly.
The airport is filling up, the latest arrivals the Russian team - mostly from Novo Siebirsk. We travel to and from the apartment by bike - 8km or so. A refreshing ride! The rigging and derigging is smooth and we have entertaining briefings at nine by Allessandro. The Italians are rushing the completion of the office buildings for the contest.
I will try to post some photo's this evening or tomorrow.
We still await the arrival of Andrew and Janine.
regards for now
Sven
PS Volker, we got your message, look forward to seeing you (the train is best from Rome). My Italian cell number 3490516400 (international code +39) and Ulf 3400704650
Wednesday 25 June 2008
Six days on
It is now Wednesday 25, six days into this journey. It started out as a bit of a road trip - sleeping over on the Hahnweide and visiting Schemp Hirth in action (quite a few DUSE in production - that is jet sustainers). Then on to the English Garden (yes, there is one) and it is an important part of Munich. A wonderful time, inlcluding watching the Eurocup with thousands of others in the open. A visit, but no beer at the worldfamouns beergarden (we drank the beer elsewhere, and hopefully the SPOT tracks will disappear with time.
Then a LONG drive down to Rieti - with a rush to watch the next match (we made it, but by then Ulf was already suffering from a cold which would last the next few days, and become more serious - not a nice condition to suffer from in 40C heat.)
Yes, it is as hot as hades and, in the result, the sky is quite stable. We were too late to fly in Monday, so we used the day to set up - we are in a renovated appartement in the old part of Rieti, and the roads are just one way passage ways. So we leave the transport on the airfield and commute using bicycles - Ulf and i are now also getting good at managing the chaos on Italian roads.
On Tuesday i had a flight, somewhat last on the grid, and the conditions stable and difficult. But all the systems are working and we march on to Wednesday (today). Very inverted and we forego the opportunity to launch (I think only two or so launched). It is really HOT.
Tonite Germany plays Turkey (and Ulf has a great interest in the outcome).
I think that Andrew and Janine arrives tomorrow.
The forecast is still for stable conditions.
Thanks for all the support from back home, it is greatly appreciated.
Sven
Then a LONG drive down to Rieti - with a rush to watch the next match (we made it, but by then Ulf was already suffering from a cold which would last the next few days, and become more serious - not a nice condition to suffer from in 40C heat.)
Yes, it is as hot as hades and, in the result, the sky is quite stable. We were too late to fly in Monday, so we used the day to set up - we are in a renovated appartement in the old part of Rieti, and the roads are just one way passage ways. So we leave the transport on the airfield and commute using bicycles - Ulf and i are now also getting good at managing the chaos on Italian roads.
On Tuesday i had a flight, somewhat last on the grid, and the conditions stable and difficult. But all the systems are working and we march on to Wednesday (today). Very inverted and we forego the opportunity to launch (I think only two or so launched). It is really HOT.
Tonite Germany plays Turkey (and Ulf has a great interest in the outcome).
I think that Andrew and Janine arrives tomorrow.
The forecast is still for stable conditions.
Thanks for all the support from back home, it is greatly appreciated.
Sven
Friday 20 June 2008
Departure Lounge
It is EARLY in the morning, the rain has starting coming down since late yesterday afternoon, rather heavy, and I am now sitting in the departure lounge, Cape Town International. It feels a bit like Leonard Cohen. The coffee shop is not yet open, it is winter solstice after all. Well this afternoon i will be in the summer solstice ;-)
Last night we spent a family evening. The girls wanted sushi so Christelle and I took them out. They did really well in their exams (both academic and dancing) so there was a lot to celebrate ;-)
It was a real rush (in the work sense) to get here - for weeks i have been slaving away, only able to see on the internet how the Rieti pilots are flying in overseas contests (and on OLC - Patrick Gai had a real nice (and fast) flight two days ago).
So i am really glad to be on my way, keen to get to Rieti and looking forward to really enjoying Italy.
Ulf, i am on LH2955 (ex Cape Town) and i only have SMS on my handy (till we get Italian simcards). Watch out for Spotmessenger tracking later today
On the flight i will be reading some literature courtesy of Bill Elliot (who won the 18m USA nationals) - thanks Bill.
regards for now
Sven
Last night we spent a family evening. The girls wanted sushi so Christelle and I took them out. They did really well in their exams (both academic and dancing) so there was a lot to celebrate ;-)
It was a real rush (in the work sense) to get here - for weeks i have been slaving away, only able to see on the internet how the Rieti pilots are flying in overseas contests (and on OLC - Patrick Gai had a real nice (and fast) flight two days ago).
So i am really glad to be on my way, keen to get to Rieti and looking forward to really enjoying Italy.
Ulf, i am on LH2955 (ex Cape Town) and i only have SMS on my handy (till we get Italian simcards). Watch out for Spotmessenger tracking later today
On the flight i will be reading some literature courtesy of Bill Elliot (who won the 18m USA nationals) - thanks Bill.
regards for now
Sven
Wednesday 18 June 2008
ULF FLIES OF THE HANDLE
The South African Team Captain, Ulf Dallmann, in impeccable style, flew to second place on OLC in EX yesterday, covering 950 odd kilometres in northern Germany. They had to send out a Nimbus 4M to beat him. WELL DONE ULF.
In the meanwhile back home the clock is ticking. On Sunday, in non-soarable conditions, i did an hour of outlanding practise in the Rotax Falke under the watchful eye of Mike Pascoe.
Regards for now
Sven
In the meanwhile back home the clock is ticking. On Sunday, in non-soarable conditions, i did an hour of outlanding practise in the Rotax Falke under the watchful eye of Mike Pascoe.
Regards for now
Sven
Thursday 12 June 2008
Spot Tracking Page
Hi all
the link to my SPOT messenger tracking page is
http://share.findmespot.com/shared/faces/viewspots.jsp?&glId=0QljvEYOeTTGRLzBuhnCT9AZhfyXWBG3R
I will only be activating the tracking when in Europe (and mostly only when airborne ;-)
I depart Cape Town 20 June and hope to be flying soon thereafter (i will test the tracking driving down to Rieti)
SPOT Messeger's support team is working on activating tracking for Southern Africa
EX
the link to my SPOT messenger tracking page is
http://share.findmespot.com/shared/faces/viewspots.jsp?&glId=0QljvEYOeTTGRLzBuhnCT9AZhfyXWBG3R
I will only be activating the tracking when in Europe (and mostly only when airborne ;-)
I depart Cape Town 20 June and hope to be flying soon thereafter (i will test the tracking driving down to Rieti)
SPOT Messeger's support team is working on activating tracking for Southern Africa
EX
Wednesday 11 June 2008
Final results in the Czech and Slovakian champs
In Slovakia Lubor Kubovick (1st) and Vladimir Foltin(4th) showed that they are ready for Rieti, whilts in the Czech champs Pavel Louzecky (1st) and Jaroslav Tomana (2nd) were streets ahead of a very competitive field. They must be looking forward to Rieti.
EX
EX
Saturday 7 June 2008
Mike Young takes an emphatic win
Mike Young won the British Overseas Nationals with an emphatic win, well clear of the field. Russel Cheetam in an ASG29e is reflected as outlanding on the second last day and did not fly the last day - sounds like something went wrong on the turbo, but i have no details. Both Gill Spreckley and Dane Dickenson finished well and must feel prepared for Rieti.
Slovak Republic SI (Vladimir Foltin) and DI (Viliam Kubovcik) are 2nd and 4th (with two days to go) in the Slovakian Championships and they must feel equally prepared for Rieti.
Pavel Louzecky yesterday took the Czech championships in JB - and must also fancy his chances in Rieti. His compatriot Jaroslav Tomana in GX placed second and they will make a formidable team in Rieti.
I can feel the tension building in the air for Rieti.
With us it is cold and wintry as the front is passing through and the best i could do is to go to gym every day in the last week. Tomorrow i hope for some post frontal weather and a last opportunity to do some setting up of my instruments.
I am on a Lufthansa flight on the 20th and Ulf and I will travel down to Rieti via Schempp Hirth.
regards for now.
EX
Slovak Republic SI (Vladimir Foltin) and DI (Viliam Kubovcik) are 2nd and 4th (with two days to go) in the Slovakian Championships and they must feel equally prepared for Rieti.
Pavel Louzecky yesterday took the Czech championships in JB - and must also fancy his chances in Rieti. His compatriot Jaroslav Tomana in GX placed second and they will make a formidable team in Rieti.
I can feel the tension building in the air for Rieti.
With us it is cold and wintry as the front is passing through and the best i could do is to go to gym every day in the last week. Tomorrow i hope for some post frontal weather and a last opportunity to do some setting up of my instruments.
I am on a Lufthansa flight on the 20th and Ulf and I will travel down to Rieti via Schempp Hirth.
regards for now.
EX
Tuesday 3 June 2008
THE BRITISH OVERSEAS NATIONALS
With just three days to go the British Overseas Nationals at Ocana, Spain is heating up. Whilst the ASG29's are at the top seven place bar one, it is Gill Spreckley in a LS1f in eleventh spot who should be causing some concern for those pilots who are flying in Rieti. Immediately above her on the overall standings is another pilot on his way to Rieti, Dane Dickinson - in an LS8 he is also having a great contest and no doubt gearing up for the Grand Sasso.
Thanks to some local (printing) support I now have some really cool printed maps for Italy - thanks to Peter Wooley. Also spending a lot of time in gym - to make up for the lack of competition flying - but i did some post frontal flying over the weekend.
EY
Thanks to some local (printing) support I now have some really cool printed maps for Italy - thanks to Peter Wooley. Also spending a lot of time in gym - to make up for the lack of competition flying - but i did some post frontal flying over the weekend.
EY
Sunday 1 June 2008
Christine WINS day 3
Christine Burki wins day 3 of the Swiss Nationals Standard Class. She is flying a LS8 with call sign 8C - if I recall correctly that is the LS8 Peter Hartmann flew in Leszno in 2003. WELL DONE Christine. The results are at http://www.sm08.ch/index.php?site=resultate&date=30&class=standard&ranking=day
She is 6th overall http://www.sm08.ch/index.php?site=resultate&date=30&class=standard&ranking=total
Keep it going Christine
She is 6th overall http://www.sm08.ch/index.php?site=resultate&date=30&class=standard&ranking=total
Keep it going Christine
Wednesday 28 May 2008
Another (sweet) SPOT
Also making life very easy (particularly if you ever tried to navigate the Eastern European websites for contest results) is the SOARING SPOT website run by Erasem Polutnik (as part of Naviter - more well known as SeeYou). There you can find the latest results as the various contests unfold - see http://www.soaringspot.com/
I may add that our very own Christine Burki, flying in the Swiss Standard Class Nationals placed third today with some 46km - unfortunately not a enough for a scoring day. We keep on rooting for her.
At the British Overseas Nationals the ASG29's are domineering - but I can see some of the serious Rieti contestants also flying there (and where do i wish i was?)
(If you are interested in Spot Messenger - see my previous post - the link is http://www.findmespot.com/home.aspx)
Regards
EY
I may add that our very own Christine Burki, flying in the Swiss Standard Class Nationals placed third today with some 46km - unfortunately not a enough for a scoring day. We keep on rooting for her.
At the British Overseas Nationals the ASG29's are domineering - but I can see some of the serious Rieti contestants also flying there (and where do i wish i was?)
(If you are interested in Spot Messenger - see my previous post - the link is http://www.findmespot.com/home.aspx)
Regards
EY
SPOT (me) in Italy
SPOT messenger is a very neat personal beacon - it sends messages via a satellite comms network to designated cell phones, emails or S&R agencies - using an "OK" "Help" or "911" button. The message gives the co-ordinates of the sender, his ID and a link to Google maps. It also allows tracking (displayed on Google Maps). Very neat for outlandings, and, in general, allowing others to follow you. Understandably it is really taking of in the States and Europe. Most online shops now carry them.
I will be using one in Italy, particularly as it is very easy for me to tell Christelle and the kids back home that i have arrive safely back at Rieti (I always let her know when I am back on terra firma). It may be a way to communicate to Ulf as I round each turnpoint - and he will be able to track me as well.
Spot has a shared page which the public can access - I will set it up and post the link.
Technology is really advancing in leaps and bounds - Flarm also has a Flarmnet page with, if i understand it correctly, a tracking capability.
EY
I will be using one in Italy, particularly as it is very easy for me to tell Christelle and the kids back home that i have arrive safely back at Rieti (I always let her know when I am back on terra firma). It may be a way to communicate to Ulf as I round each turnpoint - and he will be able to track me as well.
Spot has a shared page which the public can access - I will set it up and post the link.
Technology is really advancing in leaps and bounds - Flarm also has a Flarmnet page with, if i understand it correctly, a tracking capability.
EY
Friday 23 May 2008
The report on the JS1 at Mifflin from Leo Benetti-Longhini
Extracts from a report by the USA agent of the JS1 - Leo Benetti-Longhini (with some photo's)
.jpg)
Crossing the finish line
"Dear Jonker Sailplanes personnel,
Excellent news from across the Atlantic and much to be thankful for - Bill Elliott of Huntsville, Alabama is the new 18m USA National Champion! Thursday 22nd May was the final day of the 10-day contest. It was the fifth day of racing due to wet and very challenging weather that saw several ridge tasks due to strong winds. The scores going in to the final day placed Bill at the front of the pack with a mere 4 point lead over US team member and former World Champion Doug Jacobs (DJ) [and the winner of the final day in the 2006 WGC in the standard class in Sweden - if i may add ;-). Up and coming Devin Bargainnier (OO) held third.
Roy McMaster, Bill Elliott, Doug Jacobs
Bill Elliott with the JS1
The final race-day brought more rain and strong winds. Many believed that we would not fly and some humorously teased Bill about doing a rain dance so that he could be assured of a win by having another no-fly day. Contest manager John Good had other ideas - pilots were instructed to rig and get ready. A pilot meeting was called on the runway at noon, a turn area task (TAT) with nominal distance of 205 miles was declared, and the launch was underway at 12:20.
The day’s grid resulted in JS1 launching first. Pilots faced a strong almost 90 degree crosswind. Multiple rain showers blew through, but the ridge was working, and other than the launch crews waiting for lulls in the gusts, the launch proceeded. Cumulus clouds were 4000 AGL. Some wave was present to lure contestants to try alternate ridge-jumping strategies. The weather cycled rapidly with rain-showers blanketing many areas of the task. Choosing a start time was definitely a roll of the dice.
Bill left the start gate early at 13:11 (unusual that he did not shadow DJ as a strategy). The first leg was a southwest ridge run of about 60 miles to a turnpoint about 7 miles off the end of the ridge out in the valley. This required three thermals to climb up sufficiently, step out to the valley, and to get back to the ridge. From there it was a northeast run past Mifflin County to a turnpoint called Mifflintown. This included a 10 mile run in heavy rain. Before being able to go to the next turnpoint (Wagner Gap) located about 25 miles downwind, Bill had to backtrack 20 miles to get clear of the rain in order to safely leave the ridge and fly downwind using thermals. From Wagner Gap Bill flew into the 30 mph headwind deviating from the course back to the finish line by 45 degrees to avoid new rain showers. Bill made it home first and this time his radio call “Juliet Sierra One, four miles” was music!
...
Bill came in 4th for the day, mostly driven by a less-than-optimum early start and the backtracking because of the rain showers. When the flight logs were in, a major reshuffling of the players became evident. The day’s weather was some of the most technically challenging I have ever seen. Contest positions were decided by whether pilots were even able to make it around the course and the day’s speeds were dictated by phasing with the tricky weather phenomena.
....
It was quite gratifying that the other contestants were definitely cheering for Bill and the JS1. The whole atmosphere at Mifflin was decidedly positive and humorous in spite of the damp weather. It is definitely a contest to recommend (for the location, the organizers, and the competitors). This summer (northern hemisphere) is definitely off to a fantastic start building on Attie’s success at the SA Nationals back in January. The next few weeks will see some major decisions regarding upcoming contests with this glider. Congratulations and thanks to you all for building a winning machine!
Leo"
EY
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Crossing the finish line
"Dear Jonker Sailplanes personnel,
Excellent news from across the Atlantic and much to be thankful for - Bill Elliott of Huntsville, Alabama is the new 18m USA National Champion! Thursday 22nd May was the final day of the 10-day contest. It was the fifth day of racing due to wet and very challenging weather that saw several ridge tasks due to strong winds. The scores going in to the final day placed Bill at the front of the pack with a mere 4 point lead over US team member and former World Champion Doug Jacobs (DJ) [and the winner of the final day in the 2006 WGC in the standard class in Sweden - if i may add ;-). Up and coming Devin Bargainnier (OO) held third.
Roy McMaster, Bill Elliott, Doug Jacobs
Bill Elliott with the JS1
The final race-day brought more rain and strong winds. Many believed that we would not fly and some humorously teased Bill about doing a rain dance so that he could be assured of a win by having another no-fly day. Contest manager John Good had other ideas - pilots were instructed to rig and get ready. A pilot meeting was called on the runway at noon, a turn area task (TAT) with nominal distance of 205 miles was declared, and the launch was underway at 12:20.
The day’s grid resulted in JS1 launching first. Pilots faced a strong almost 90 degree crosswind. Multiple rain showers blew through, but the ridge was working, and other than the launch crews waiting for lulls in the gusts, the launch proceeded. Cumulus clouds were 4000 AGL. Some wave was present to lure contestants to try alternate ridge-jumping strategies. The weather cycled rapidly with rain-showers blanketing many areas of the task. Choosing a start time was definitely a roll of the dice.
Bill left the start gate early at 13:11 (unusual that he did not shadow DJ as a strategy). The first leg was a southwest ridge run of about 60 miles to a turnpoint about 7 miles off the end of the ridge out in the valley. This required three thermals to climb up sufficiently, step out to the valley, and to get back to the ridge. From there it was a northeast run past Mifflin County to a turnpoint called Mifflintown. This included a 10 mile run in heavy rain. Before being able to go to the next turnpoint (Wagner Gap) located about 25 miles downwind, Bill had to backtrack 20 miles to get clear of the rain in order to safely leave the ridge and fly downwind using thermals. From Wagner Gap Bill flew into the 30 mph headwind deviating from the course back to the finish line by 45 degrees to avoid new rain showers. Bill made it home first and this time his radio call “Juliet Sierra One, four miles” was music!
...
Bill came in 4th for the day, mostly driven by a less-than-optimum early start and the backtracking because of the rain showers. When the flight logs were in, a major reshuffling of the players became evident. The day’s weather was some of the most technically challenging I have ever seen. Contest positions were decided by whether pilots were even able to make it around the course and the day’s speeds were dictated by phasing with the tricky weather phenomena.
....
It was quite gratifying that the other contestants were definitely cheering for Bill and the JS1. The whole atmosphere at Mifflin was decidedly positive and humorous in spite of the damp weather. It is definitely a contest to recommend (for the location, the organizers, and the competitors). This summer (northern hemisphere) is definitely off to a fantastic start building on Attie’s success at the SA Nationals back in January. The next few weeks will see some major decisions regarding upcoming contests with this glider. Congratulations and thanks to you all for building a winning machine!
Leo"
EY
711 reporting
Tom Kelly has made some observations on the JS1 in his very informative blogg
see http://711reporting.blogspot.com/
EY
see http://711reporting.blogspot.com/
EY
The score board at the USA 18m nationals
The scoreboard (top 20) looks like this
1 3435 JS1 Elliott, Bill JS1A 7 694 76.17 208.44
2 3173 1 McMaster, Roy ASW-27 3 765 84.05 208.57
3 3149 DJ Jacobs, Doug Ventus 2CX 19 412 167.50
4 3083 MD Sullivan, Corey Ventus A 5 741 81.39 203.58
5 3041 SM Seymour, John ASW-27 11 634 69.59 204.62
6 3032 97 Sullivan, Monty Ventus 2CX 8 678 74.47 206.37
7 2971 5E Nelson, Erik Ventus 2AX 4 749 82.32 207.30
8 2963 711 Kelley, Tom ASG-29 12 630 69.21 203.41
9 2954 XC Murphy, Sean Ventus 2B 15 595 62.55 206.35
10 2918 W3 Welles, Tim Ventus 2CX 14 596 63.14 205.99
11 2917 UH Nixon, Hank ASW-27 17. 18 454 174.73 AB
12 2842 OO Bargainnier, Devin Ventus 2B 23 368 149.64
13 2773 HH1 Wirz, Nick Discus CS 9 645 70.88 208.10
14 2771 P7 Ittner, Gary ASG-29 21 394 160.29
15 2728 TW Kramer, Dale Discus CS 16 581 54.55 198.94
16 2689 KS Striedieck, Karl ASW-27 20 398 151.64 AB
17 2497 MC McCarron, Mike ASW-27 24 335 136.42
18 2356 8H Tyler, Al ASG-29 26 0 0.0 W, F
19 2305 18H Banarhall, John Ventus 2AX 26 0 0.0 W, F
20 2276 11L Oldershaw, Paul Ventus B 1 25 231 93.95
EY
1 3435 JS1 Elliott, Bill JS1A 7 694 76.17 208.44
2 3173 1 McMaster, Roy ASW-27 3 765 84.05 208.57
3 3149 DJ Jacobs, Doug Ventus 2CX 19 412 167.50
4 3083 MD Sullivan, Corey Ventus A 5 741 81.39 203.58
5 3041 SM Seymour, John ASW-27 11 634 69.59 204.62
6 3032 97 Sullivan, Monty Ventus 2CX 8 678 74.47 206.37
7 2971 5E Nelson, Erik Ventus 2AX 4 749 82.32 207.30
8 2963 711 Kelley, Tom ASG-29 12 630 69.21 203.41
9 2954 XC Murphy, Sean Ventus 2B 15 595 62.55 206.35
10 2918 W3 Welles, Tim Ventus 2CX 14 596 63.14 205.99
11 2917 UH Nixon, Hank ASW-27 17. 18 454 174.73 AB
12 2842 OO Bargainnier, Devin Ventus 2B 23 368 149.64
13 2773 HH1 Wirz, Nick Discus CS 9 645 70.88 208.10
14 2771 P7 Ittner, Gary ASG-29 21 394 160.29
15 2728 TW Kramer, Dale Discus CS 16 581 54.55 198.94
16 2689 KS Striedieck, Karl ASW-27 20 398 151.64 AB
17 2497 MC McCarron, Mike ASW-27 24 335 136.42
18 2356 8H Tyler, Al ASG-29 26 0 0.0 W, F
19 2305 18H Banarhall, John Ventus 2AX 26 0 0.0 W, F
20 2276 11L Oldershaw, Paul Ventus B 1 25 231 93.95
EY
JS1 takes US 18m nationals
Word on the internet has it that the JS1, at the hands of Bill Elliott, took the USA 18m nationals!!!
The Jonkers could not have asked for a better start to an international career for their ship.
EY
The Jonkers could not have asked for a better start to an international career for their ship.
EY
Monday 19 May 2008
JS1 Day 3 - no fluke
The JS1, at the hands of Bill Elliott, flew to first place on day 3 of the USA 18m Nationals. He beat Doug Jacobs by 6 points to take the overall lead by 4 points.
The results reads as follows
Cumulative Name Glider Rank Day Points Speed Distance
-- ---- ------ ---- ------ ----- -------- ---- -------- ------
1 2206 JS1 Elliott, Bill JS1A 1 426 117.69 154.83
2 2202 DJ Jacobs, Doug Ventus 2CX 2 420 116.04 155.10
3 2121 8H Tyler, Al ASG-29 13 397 109.90 155.01
4 2082 KS Striedieck, Karl ASW-27 5 407 112.54 151.74 MT
5 1964 OO Bargainnier, Devin Ventus 2B 5 407 112.49 151.52 MT
6 1954 UH Nixon, Hank ASW-27-17. 11 398 110.12 155.52 MT
7 1926 P7 Ittner, Gary ASG-29 8 403 111.45 151.95 MT
8 1923 1 McMaster, Roy ASW-27 14 393 108.82 154.95 MT
9 1897 SM Seymour, John ASW-27 9 400 110.52 151.68 MT
10 1857 97 Sullivan, Monty Ventus 2CX 16 381 105.47 153.61 MT
http://www.ssa.org/members/contestreports/ContestResultsFullDetail.asp?contestId=&ContestDetailId=3529&ContestName=18+Meter+Nationals
Great going against a formidable field ;-)
EY
The results reads as follows
Cumulative Name Glider Rank Day Points Speed Distance
-- ---- ------ ---- ------ ----- -------- ---- -------- ------
1 2206 JS1 Elliott, Bill JS1A 1 426 117.69 154.83
2 2202 DJ Jacobs, Doug Ventus 2CX 2 420 116.04 155.10
3 2121 8H Tyler, Al ASG-29 13 397 109.90 155.01
4 2082 KS Striedieck, Karl ASW-27 5 407 112.54 151.74 MT
5 1964 OO Bargainnier, Devin Ventus 2B 5 407 112.49 151.52 MT
6 1954 UH Nixon, Hank ASW-27-17. 11 398 110.12 155.52 MT
7 1926 P7 Ittner, Gary ASG-29 8 403 111.45 151.95 MT
8 1923 1 McMaster, Roy ASW-27 14 393 108.82 154.95 MT
9 1897 SM Seymour, John ASW-27 9 400 110.52 151.68 MT
10 1857 97 Sullivan, Monty Ventus 2CX 16 381 105.47 153.61 MT
http://www.ssa.org/members/contestreports/ContestResultsFullDetail.asp?contestId=&ContestDetailId=3529&ContestName=18+Meter+Nationals
Great going against a formidable field ;-)
EY
Friday 16 May 2008
JS1 Day 2
The JS1 placed 4th on day 2 - and is only two points behind the leader (in an illustrious field).
Also great to see Dale Kramer back and racing.
EY
Also great to see Dale Kramer back and racing.
EY
Flying in the USA 18m
The JS1 placed second on the first day of the USA 18m contest being held at Mifflin.
Herewith a posting from Rand Baldwin
Flying in moderate conditions over a 232 mile assigned speed task, Al Tyler of Perry, SC (ASG-29), and Huntsville's Bill Elliott managed a 1-2 placing, finishing only seconds apart with 6 points separating the two pilots.
Bill said that he was able to outclimb everyone in the South African JS1 Revelation, including the open class ships, and was beating the opens in the run!
Twenty-five registered contestants and four guests are competing.
The scores are posted at
http://www.ssa.org/members/contestreports/contestresults.asp
, as are the flight logs of the top three pilots.
Rand Baldwin LS-8a "NN"
A great start to an international career
EY
Herewith a posting from Rand Baldwin
Flying in moderate conditions over a 232 mile assigned speed task, Al Tyler of Perry, SC (ASG-29), and Huntsville's Bill Elliott managed a 1-2 placing, finishing only seconds apart with 6 points separating the two pilots.
Bill said that he was able to outclimb everyone in the South African JS1 Revelation, including the open class ships, and was beating the opens in the run!
Twenty-five registered contestants and four guests are competing.
The scores are posted at
http://www.ssa.org/members/contestreports/contestresults.asp
, as are the flight logs of the top three pilots.
Rand Baldwin LS-8a "NN"
A great start to an international career
EY
Tuesday 13 May 2008
A super fast magnificent flight
This is a belated post (it was stuck in the blogg editor)
The beauty of soaring is also to be found outside of the contest arena - on the 2nd of February I was privileged to fly with Martin Gruenert on a training flight in a DG500M - we joined up with Alan O'Regan in hsi LS 8, X32 and had one of the most amazing runs I have ever experienced, straight from Worcester to Klawer 220km at 145kph, without turning once - Alan's trace is at http://www3.onlinecontest.org/olc-2.0/gliding/flightinfo.html?flightId=-520879654
We were only able to download the flarm trace later and i will post it separately
Play the two flights together and see how we rushed down the Klawer gutter at 200kph plus, 1000ft amsl (the surface is a little higher than sealevel ;-) and spot the mistake coming back (KS is right - "all ridge runners will face low energy / weak lift situations at some point in almost every flight ... never put yourself in a situation where your plan has to work." - see http://miffling.soaringweb.net/ridge.htm ).
We then had another amazing run down the Porterville ridge and spot how Martin races neck and neck with Alan. As Alan said, it was the best he has experienced on the front ridge. Speaking for myself: it was my first ridge flight to Klawer and it rates as one of the most memorable flights I ever had - we ended it off with some convergence flying on the way back from Ashton and (suspected) wave almost to 8000ft - advising X32 that the valley was working when the Witzenberg failed him (see his trace for his low energy point ;-)
EY
The beauty of soaring is also to be found outside of the contest arena - on the 2nd of February I was privileged to fly with Martin Gruenert on a training flight in a DG500M - we joined up with Alan O'Regan in hsi LS 8, X32 and had one of the most amazing runs I have ever experienced, straight from Worcester to Klawer 220km at 145kph, without turning once - Alan's trace is at http://www3.onlinecontest.org/olc-2.0/gliding/flightinfo.html?flightId=-520879654
We were only able to download the flarm trace later and i will post it separately
Play the two flights together and see how we rushed down the Klawer gutter at 200kph plus, 1000ft amsl (the surface is a little higher than sealevel ;-) and spot the mistake coming back (KS is right - "all ridge runners will face low energy / weak lift situations at some point in almost every flight ... never put yourself in a situation where your plan has to work." - see http://miffling.soaringweb.net/ridge.htm ).
We then had another amazing run down the Porterville ridge and spot how Martin races neck and neck with Alan. As Alan said, it was the best he has experienced on the front ridge. Speaking for myself: it was my first ridge flight to Klawer and it rates as one of the most memorable flights I ever had - we ended it off with some convergence flying on the way back from Ashton and (suspected) wave almost to 8000ft - advising X32 that the valley was working when the Witzenberg failed him (see his trace for his low energy point ;-)
EY
Monday 12 May 2008
NEW ASW 27 TIPS
Hi all
Reporting from the 18 USA Nationals being held at Miflin, 711 posted this picture of UH (Hank Nixon - if i recall correctly, fondly also known as Admiral Nixon)'s 27:
With the comment: UH has added something new to his ASW 27.........look at the tip section.........is it a bug collector or will it really work? Is this a 27 with 2cx enveeeeeee???
the blog is at https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIug-U0GMhQMPzBUR4nGYYmYzb6GJeexd87HmrL_4zOgVsbdUuAJbnAFly7Gtl6J-rSN4RL_EMiiDVn8U3v5uuEyu5M_GipVfApXCFjpiBAk9Nc2sfTNowuLBKztOujq0lfZkcdVg0oCdq/s1600-h/Image010.jpg
(and it is a really nice blog).
The score sheet reflects the 27 as 27 17
http://www.ssa.org/members/contestreports/ContestResultsFullDetail.asp?contestId=&ContestDetailId=3493&ContestName=18+Meter+Nationals
is the link to the contest results (so far only practice day 1, so this news from 711 is really fresh)
It would be interesting to know: what the performance difference is? If it is an approved mod? (and how much it costs).
AND what i wouldn't give to be able to fly in that contest!!!
regards
Sven
Reporting from the 18 USA Nationals being held at Miflin, 711 posted this picture of UH (Hank Nixon - if i recall correctly, fondly also known as Admiral Nixon)'s 27:
With the comment: UH has added something new to his ASW 27.........look at the tip section.........is it a bug collector or will it really work? Is this a 27 with 2cx enveeeeeee???
the blog is at https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIug-U0GMhQMPzBUR4nGYYmYzb6GJeexd87HmrL_4zOgVsbdUuAJbnAFly7Gtl6J-rSN4RL_EMiiDVn8U3v5uuEyu5M_GipVfApXCFjpiBAk9Nc2sfTNowuLBKztOujq0lfZkcdVg0oCdq/s1600-h/Image010.jpg
(and it is a really nice blog).
The score sheet reflects the 27 as 27 17
http://www.ssa.org/members/contestreports/ContestResultsFullDetail.asp?contestId=&ContestDetailId=3493&ContestName=18+Meter+Nationals
is the link to the contest results (so far only practice day 1, so this news from 711 is really fresh)
It would be interesting to know: what the performance difference is? If it is an approved mod? (and how much it costs).
AND what i wouldn't give to be able to fly in that contest!!!
regards
Sven
Tuesday 6 May 2008
Segelflyg April 2008
This arrived in the post, unannounced, but very welcome, the JS1 on the front page of Segelflyg and a very nice article on the Dust Devil ;-)
(if only i could understand it all)
Thank you to all the Swedish supporters.
EY
Sunday 4 May 2008
Day 7
Day 7 was compressed into day 6 and, at short notice, the prize giving was advanced 24hours. We sat down for dinner on Friday night, with a decidedly cold air and rain outside, with more predicted for Saturday. Oscar took home the winners cup in the 15m - and hats of to him again. I finished third behind Laurens. It was as always a delight to fly the contest and I look forward to be back next year.
On Saturday it was the long road back to Cape Town - mostly (and unusually) in rain.
In the meanwhile the preparation for Rieti is going into overdrive ;-) and this contest really helped (at least i hope so).
Tomorrow, once i am back behind a desktop, i hope to post some pics from Welkom - not that i took that many photo's.
EY
On Saturday it was the long road back to Cape Town - mostly (and unusually) in rain.
In the meanwhile the preparation for Rieti is going into overdrive ;-) and this contest really helped (at least i hope so).
Tomorrow, once i am back behind a desktop, i hope to post some pics from Welkom - not that i took that many photo's.
EY
Friday 2 May 2008
Day 6
Well, the bad weather has moved in, and briefing has been postponed to 16h00 this afternoon. It is cold and windy with intermittent rain. The outlook for tomorrow is also not the best.
EY
EY
Thursday 1 May 2008
Day 5
Despite an optimistic outlook from the NOAA forecast with 12000ft cloud bases and 3ms it quickly became clear that it was going to be blueish, cool and difficult. I snuck of early, as part of a game plan to get ahead, but I did not connect to the strong climbs under the enticing climbs at Alanridge, and down to 700m I took some weakish climbs before i connected to some good lift 40km short of the Bothaville, the first turnpoint. Oscar started behind me, but turned back for a strong climb and a restart some 10 minutes later. I rounded Bothaville with the blue sky waiting towards Hoopstad and the gaggle gathering around. Just as the clouds ended OG was with me - and after Hoopstad the two of us were a little bit too conservative and Laurens grabbed the opportunity to finish ahead of us and take the day. Well, my little plan did not work, and if only i could have glid to the massive dusty i saw on the first leg - but that was out of reach and hats of to Laurens.
EY
EY
Wednesday 30 April 2008
Day 4
BLUE in big letters. The task was out to the west and back around Attie (to the north of Kroonstad) and then home. Add to this a strong wind from the SW and things are bound to get tricky - turning at Attie I was thinking about the radiation inversion which was bound to be forming on the surface and wondering precisely when the weak thermals were going to quit on us - the dilemma: do you climb in 1.3ms in the belief that it is the last one - hoping you will get onto glide, or do you push on - hoping to get 3ms further on, and smoke it home. With LG and OG it was a mixture of the two - relentlessly pushing on - but never risking too low. Slowly climbing onto glide we made it home and Oscar demonstrated supremacy in energy management - gliding in ground effect the last two kilometers to the runway. 6 points or 14seconds is all what was in the day. It is real training!!!
EY
EY
Tuesday 29 April 2008
Day 3
I am doubling as metman so i knew the high cirrus would be moving in - and it did. The clubclass launched first and were hanging around in .3ms - the cd changed to the fallback from them and then for us. But after i lucked into a 2.5ms to 1700m we were back onto the A task - fortunately a little while later we were back onto task B - just as well - around 16h00 with us all safely back the cirrus had killed everything. So we were all off onto a short 131 km task - with clubclass of a lot earlier they had the better part of the day, with reports of some good climbs. Back in the 15m class OG struggled to get up and, in after a good climb just short of the startline - ran us down. But it was risky going around - towards the second turnpoint we all ran wide to the right to get to some cloud in the sun - with varying results. OG was mostly below LG and I but having started 5 minutes behind us, it was good enough. Hats off for another 20 points.
PS i must say i think this is really tough training for the flying later in the year.
EY
PS i must say i think this is really tough training for the flying later in the year.
EY
Monday 28 April 2008
Day 2
Despite the prediction that the base would be lower by 2000ft and blue, we experienced 14400 (one could go a little higher, but airspace ends at FL145) and there were some magnificent thermals - some reported 4.5ms before the start and the first half of the task had cloud. It was a 315 km task - to Mirage (north of Bothaville) and R9 (west of Hoopstad).
I had a lone run out to the first turn where Attie in the JS1 joined me in a welcome 3.5 plus as we turned ;-) A little way down the second leg LG pulled in on my starboard wing - OG could not be far away i thought to myself and sure enough there he was. In close company was our chairman in his brand spanking new Ventus CXT and together with QM we put up a formidable challenge to the head wind (40kph) and blueing sky. It was very squeeky beyond Hoopstad - we ran in dead quiet air for far longer than any of us liked. And it was not altogether easy, but the gaggle worked well - QM tried to run away at some stage but we caught up with him. After the turn we had the tailwind helping us, but it was only approaching Wesselsbron that we came into good air again - the JS1 really showed its mettle in this run, we could not push too hard and he just gained on all of us all the time.
In the final instance Oscar beat my by 4 secs (1 point) - and i raise my cap to him. Laurens just a few points behind.
EY
I had a lone run out to the first turn where Attie in the JS1 joined me in a welcome 3.5 plus as we turned ;-) A little way down the second leg LG pulled in on my starboard wing - OG could not be far away i thought to myself and sure enough there he was. In close company was our chairman in his brand spanking new Ventus CXT and together with QM we put up a formidable challenge to the head wind (40kph) and blueing sky. It was very squeeky beyond Hoopstad - we ran in dead quiet air for far longer than any of us liked. And it was not altogether easy, but the gaggle worked well - QM tried to run away at some stage but we caught up with him. After the turn we had the tailwind helping us, but it was only approaching Wesselsbron that we came into good air again - the JS1 really showed its mettle in this run, we could not push too hard and he just gained on all of us all the time.
In the final instance Oscar beat my by 4 secs (1 point) - and i raise my cap to him. Laurens just a few points behind.
EY
Sunday 27 April 2008
DAY 1
Who would believe 157kph for 231km in the 15m class. Well that is exactly what Oscar Goudriaan did today. WELL DONE. Laurens at 147 and moi at 129. With cloudbase at 3000m plus (agl) so we climbed to just short of FL145 and the gaggle (of which i was not part) reported a 6.2ms from low just after the second turnpoint. It can only be fun to fly in conditions like this - and it is unbelievable this time of year.
Tomorrow will bring slightly weaker weather ;-)
EY reporting
Tomorrow will bring slightly weaker weather ;-)
EY reporting
Friday 25 April 2008
Time flies (but i don't)
They say time flies when you are having fun, but i have not been flying a lot lately and working really hard - all of which led to me not blogging much. However, things are about to change - at least for the next few days.
I am off to fly in the OFS regionals - to be held at Welkom - and am departing Cape Town later this afternoon. I will only arrive late afternoon tomorrow in the middle of an airshow, so I only expect to have my first launch on day 1.
The weather prediction shows light NW westerly winds for the next few days, with low overnite temperatures and blue during the day. So i expect weak blue days with a low inversion - it will be real tough training for the flying that lies ahead in July.
Circumstances permitting i intend posting regularly (at least for the next week) - thereafter it is back - throttle 1 - at work.
EY
I am off to fly in the OFS regionals - to be held at Welkom - and am departing Cape Town later this afternoon. I will only arrive late afternoon tomorrow in the middle of an airshow, so I only expect to have my first launch on day 1.
The weather prediction shows light NW westerly winds for the next few days, with low overnite temperatures and blue during the day. So i expect weak blue days with a low inversion - it will be real tough training for the flying that lies ahead in July.
Circumstances permitting i intend posting regularly (at least for the next week) - thereafter it is back - throttle 1 - at work.
EY
Wednesday 19 March 2008
A super fast magnificent flight
This is a belated post (it was stuck in the blogg editor)
The beauty of soaring is also to be found outside of the contest arena - on the 2nd of February I was privileged to fly with Martin Gruenert on a training flight in a DG500M - we joined up with Alan O'Regan in hsi LS 8, X32 and had one of the most amazing runs I have ever experienced, straight from Worcester to Klawer 220km at 145kph, without turning once - Alan's trace is at
http://www3.onlinecontest.org/olc-2.0/gliding/flightinfo.html?flightId=-520879654
We were only able to download the flarm trace later and i will post it separately
Play the two flights together and see how we rushed down the Klawer gutter at 200kph plus, 1000ft amsl (the surface is a little higher than sealevel ;-) and spot the mistake coming back. We then had another amazing run down the Porterville ridge and spot how Martin races neck and neck with Alan. As Alan said, it was the best he has experienced on the front ridge. Speaking for myself: it was my first ridge flight to Klawer and it rates as one of the most memorable flights I ever had.
EY
The beauty of soaring is also to be found outside of the contest arena - on the 2nd of February I was privileged to fly with Martin Gruenert on a training flight in a DG500M - we joined up with Alan O'Regan in hsi LS 8, X32 and had one of the most amazing runs I have ever experienced, straight from Worcester to Klawer 220km at 145kph, without turning once - Alan's trace is at
http://www3.onlinecontest.org/olc-2.0/gliding/flightinfo.html?flightId=-520879654
We were only able to download the flarm trace later and i will post it separately
Play the two flights together and see how we rushed down the Klawer gutter at 200kph plus, 1000ft amsl (the surface is a little higher than sealevel ;-) and spot the mistake coming back. We then had another amazing run down the Porterville ridge and spot how Martin races neck and neck with Alan. As Alan said, it was the best he has experienced on the front ridge. Speaking for myself: it was my first ridge flight to Klawer and it rates as one of the most memorable flights I ever had.
EY
Tuesday 18 March 2008
RED BULL AIRRACE
I am a very keen Red Bull fan and got this snip from their website
"A brand new pilot joins the elite group competing in this year's Red Bull Air Race World Series. Glen Dell, from South Africa has been eager to be part of what has become one of the world’s most popular aviation races ever since he first heard about it more than five years ago. 45-year-old Dell, who has been flying planes and helicopters professionally for three decades, said he can still remember his excitement when he first learned about the Red Bull Air Race, then in the development stages.
“The Red Bull Air Race always had the potential to be an incredible spectator sport, especially with the modern filming technologies available”, said Dell. “It was great to see some forward-thinking people were making the concept work.”
Dell, who won the Aerobatic World Championship title in Sweden in 2004 as well as 20 titles at South African championships between 1985 and 2005, has been eager to break into the Red Bull Air Race for years. He passed the rigorous tests at the rookie camp in 2006, convincing the panel that he had the necessary skills and commitment. External factors, however, prevented him from taking up his place in 2007. Dell says he’s eager to make up for lost time."
I am looking forward to the first race of the season
I missed the last race of the season - has anyone taped it?
the link is at http://www.redbullairrace.com/news.php?id=155&lang=en
EX
"A brand new pilot joins the elite group competing in this year's Red Bull Air Race World Series. Glen Dell, from South Africa has been eager to be part of what has become one of the world’s most popular aviation races ever since he first heard about it more than five years ago. 45-year-old Dell, who has been flying planes and helicopters professionally for three decades, said he can still remember his excitement when he first learned about the Red Bull Air Race, then in the development stages.
“The Red Bull Air Race always had the potential to be an incredible spectator sport, especially with the modern filming technologies available”, said Dell. “It was great to see some forward-thinking people were making the concept work.”
Dell, who won the Aerobatic World Championship title in Sweden in 2004 as well as 20 titles at South African championships between 1985 and 2005, has been eager to break into the Red Bull Air Race for years. He passed the rigorous tests at the rookie camp in 2006, convincing the panel that he had the necessary skills and commitment. External factors, however, prevented him from taking up his place in 2007. Dell says he’s eager to make up for lost time."
I am looking forward to the first race of the season
I missed the last race of the season - has anyone taped it?
the link is at http://www.redbullairrace.com/news.php?id=155&lang=en
EX
Monday 17 March 2008
V8 Pictures
After their visit to us Volker and Uli sent me these pictures. Uli is recovering from a mishap when skiing and hopefully will be ready to be German TC in Rieti (Ulf Dallmann is going to be to be the South African TC ;-)
Some preflight planning
Johnny doing what he does best - in this case helping to fix a puncture (after too perfect a landing in which the tailwheel clipped the sharp tar edge of 15
I wish ...
picture perfect
Alison going for a flight
a familiar picture (also look at the clouds on the horizon)
All smiles after her flight
Some preflight planning
Johnny doing what he does best - in this case helping to fix a puncture (after too perfect a landing in which the tailwheel clipped the sharp tar edge of 15
I wish ...
picture perfect
Alison going for a flight
a familiar picture (also look at the clouds on the horizon)
All smiles after her flight
Sunday 2 March 2008
Flarm and Some blogs of note
Flarm version 4 is on its way. Expect it to be available in the course of the next few weeks (version 3 will still run to the end of April). I will do upgrades for all those at the club who require them.
Why you really need flarm - Jerry pointed me the blog of Philip Plane - it is a really nice blog and please read the 18 February entry - if Justin Wills takes a week off then we should all be taking time - the link is http://www.xinqu.net/cgi-bin/blosxom
Another wonderful blog is http://hdsoaring.blogspot.com/ aimed at using video for soaring education - I think we are going to see a lot more of this - imagine a video of Alan O, Martin G, or Adriaan H, running our ridges. Surely must get some of this onto YouTube ;-)
regards for now
EX EY
Why you really need flarm - Jerry pointed me the blog of Philip Plane - it is a really nice blog and please read the 18 February entry - if Justin Wills takes a week off then we should all be taking time - the link is http://www.xinqu.net/cgi-bin/blosxom
Another wonderful blog is http://hdsoaring.blogspot.com/ aimed at using video for soaring education - I think we are going to see a lot more of this - imagine a video of Alan O, Martin G, or Adriaan H, running our ridges. Surely must get some of this onto YouTube ;-)
regards for now
EX EY
Friday 22 February 2008
Food for thought
This is more than politically correct, we should all read it carefully.
http://www.secureav.com/ The glider aviator's model code of conduct.
EX EY
http://www.secureav.com/ The glider aviator's model code of conduct.
EX EY
Wednesday 20 February 2008
Tuesday 19 February 2008
SA TEAM
Nothing official yet, but the SA team for Lusse will consist of TC Carol Clifford and pilots Laurens and Oscar Goudriaan in the open class, Mannie McLaughlan and Attie Jonker in the 18m, and Quintin Maine and Arnold Geerlings in the 15m
Going to Rieti will be TC Dave Mortimer with myself (standard class) and Andrew Bester clubclass.
Hopefully I am flying in EX (the BEST LS8) with Ulf Dallmann (better than the BEST) to look after me.
EX
Going to Rieti will be TC Dave Mortimer with myself (standard class) and Andrew Bester clubclass.
Hopefully I am flying in EX (the BEST LS8) with Ulf Dallmann (better than the BEST) to look after me.
EX
one thousand 147 times
The season at Bitterwasser has drawn to a close. They notched up a meagre 147 flights of 1000km or more - not bad going at all. Wish I could go and fly there ...
EX EY
EX EY
Thursday 14 February 2008
Video on youtube
Mark Siegelberg sent this
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aumO0ZHwAro
You so much want to see this - even if just to remind you how much fun gliding can be ;-)
EX EY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aumO0ZHwAro
You so much want to see this - even if just to remind you how much fun gliding can be ;-)
EX EY
Wednesday 13 February 2008
There are no secrets
There are no secrets. OLC reveals that a recent visitor at our club, tagged along by Dick Bradley when Soaring Safaris visited us earlier in the season, is having a good time in OZland. Phillipe Rossier has been flying from Corowa in the last week (and a bit) and has been posting his flights.
2008-02-13 340.65 398.13 60.64 Corowa Rwx Gld (AU / VIC) Discus 2T/18... 0057 0753
2008-02-11 527.11 606.24 91.14 Corowa Rwx Gld (AU / VIC) Discus 2/18m 0142 0844
2008-02-10 507.29 587.80 70.42 Corowa Rwx Gld (AU / VIC) Discus 2/18m 0042 0932
2008-02-09 385.46 460.60 66.04 Corowa Rwx Gld (AU / VIC) Discus 2/18m 0058 0823
2008-02-08 220.38 263.71 46.42 Corowa Rwx Gld (AU / VIC) Discus 2/18m 0142 0846
2008-02-05 329.31 408.01 75.74 Corowa Rwx Gld (AU / VIC) Ventus 2cT/1... 0023 0559
Hopefully we will see some more flights from Phillipe from Worcester.
(makes me envious seeing guys (and girls) flying in the week)
EY EX
2008-02-13 340.65 398.13 60.64 Corowa Rwx Gld (AU / VIC) Discus 2T/18... 0057 0753
2008-02-11 527.11 606.24 91.14 Corowa Rwx Gld (AU / VIC) Discus 2/18m 0142 0844
2008-02-10 507.29 587.80 70.42 Corowa Rwx Gld (AU / VIC) Discus 2/18m 0042 0932
2008-02-09 385.46 460.60 66.04 Corowa Rwx Gld (AU / VIC) Discus 2/18m 0058 0823
2008-02-08 220.38 263.71 46.42 Corowa Rwx Gld (AU / VIC) Discus 2/18m 0142 0846
2008-02-05 329.31 408.01 75.74 Corowa Rwx Gld (AU / VIC) Ventus 2cT/1... 0023 0559
Hopefully we will see some more flights from Phillipe from Worcester.
(makes me envious seeing guys (and girls) flying in the week)
EY EX
Monday 11 February 2008
ULI GMELIN and VOLKER FIEBIG
Hi all
an advance notice!!
I expect to get some photos of their visit to us in the Duo from this illustrious pair shortly - I will post them. Perhaps we will also get an article from them (as we did from Doc Holiday).
regards
EY EX
an advance notice!!
I expect to get some photos of their visit to us in the Duo from this illustrious pair shortly - I will post them. Perhaps we will also get an article from them (as we did from Doc Holiday).
regards
EY EX
THE REAL SOARING PILOT
... but our view (as opposed to the Dunhill/Jude Law view)
THE REAL SOARING PILOT
A definition of a Real Soaring Pilot has emerged, thus providing us with a standard towards which the next generation of soaring pilots can progress, and perhaps bring back the era of heroism and mystique, when one flew solo in a simple primary on the very first flight and wimps disappeared forever after their first launch.
A Real Soaring Pilot only flies cross-country. Scratching around the home airfield is not for him, and the sweaty hard grip on the stick or brilliant remarks to the lady in the front seat are left up to the wimps. A Real Soaring Pilot flies solo on long cross-country flights, preferably over unlandable terrain, and returns hours after the wimps have tied down and gone home. If he has an evening engagement he’ll simply fly faster, or settle for 300 km that day The Real Soaring Pilot rarely flies less than 300 km except during contests, when a wimpy Contest Director has laid out a shorter task. He will not fly in bad weather unless he can fly in clouds. Not just any clouds: Real Clouds with ice, turbulence, and thunder. No wimps there.
His sailplane
First of all, he never flies a motorglider. He also avoids forgiving types like the Schweizers, preferring character-builders like the ASW-12 and the Standard Cirrus (not just any Cirrus mind you, it has to be one of the early models with the pendulum elevator and no feel). Other sailplanes acceptable to a Real Soaring Pilot are the Nimbus 3, LS-3 (but not LS-1 as there’s inadequate room for him to flex his muscles), ASW-20, and most vintage types. If he has borrowed the Grunau Baby, he loves to out climb the wimp flying an LS-4. He is rarely heard on the radio. A Real Soaring Pilot has short tows, and climbs swiftly in tight turns whether or not the thermals are strong. If he misses, he’ll be back on the ground before the tow plane, and runs to his car to get a second barograph while claiming record-setting soaring conditions. When he returns from a task, it is never with waste excess altitude. Silly computers are for wimps, a Real Soaring Pilot will only use one if he has built it himself (see “his profession”). Otherwise, all he needs is an old PZL with a home-made MacCready ring. No yaw string; he is always coordinated. Actually, with his sensitive feel and great experience, he does not need any instruments at all. No relief tube is needed; he can hold it until he lands.
His appearance
A Real Soaring Pilot smells of sneakers. No cologne. He never wears a jumpsuit with sewn-on club patches all over; he leaves that to the Air Force types or former Air Cadets. He does not change his clothes before he flies; his everyday jeans and T-shirt are quite sufficient for the simple task at hand, although he may add a windbreaker if he plans to fly above 25,000 feet. His hat commands special attention and respect. It was white once before many years of sweat and grime accumulated on it. A Gold C with three Diamonds is, at times, casually pinned on at some random spot. A Real Soaring Pilot frequently sports a beard of the stiff and rugged type. His favourite movies The Thomas Crown Affair, Airplane, Dawn Flight, and Goofy’s Glider.
His profession
He is not likely to be a physician (not enough time), a lawyer (too much risk), an airline pilot (too conservative), or a banker (way too conservative). Most likely, he will be an engineer, as this profession seems to attract the eccentric types with the necessary personality traits of the Real Soaring Pilot. At parties, here we will find the Real Soaring Pilot in a small group where the results from the 1931 Nationals are discussed, along with winch maintenance and Pratt-Read restoration. The Real Soaring Pilot holds a bottle of Molson Dry the way he holds his stick. When the music starts, he’ll dance with Real Women and other men’s wives. Afterwards, if he can’t find his tent or camper, he’ll sleep in the cockpit of any available Real Sailplane. In competition you will find the Real Soaring Pilot high up on the score sheet. You can also recognize him by his flying technique. He always takes off with full water tanks, retracts his wheel so the gear doors brush the runway, and flies the course by himself. Leeches are promptly led into strong sink. His finishes are described by the wimps as “worm-burners” and dangerous, but they are actually precisely calculated manoeuvres performed with great proficiency. On impossible days, he will finally drift in to finish near 7:30 pm, about the same time the wimps are hosing the mud out of their wheel wells.
Finally, the Real Soaring Pilot can be recognized by the quality of his crew (that is, if he has any at all!). These are Real Men or Real Women who hold up a wing tip without complaint, and will have cold beer ready for our Real Pilot as he rolls to a stop.
(I wish)
EY/EX
THE REAL SOARING PILOT
A definition of a Real Soaring Pilot has emerged, thus providing us with a standard towards which the next generation of soaring pilots can progress, and perhaps bring back the era of heroism and mystique, when one flew solo in a simple primary on the very first flight and wimps disappeared forever after their first launch.
A Real Soaring Pilot only flies cross-country. Scratching around the home airfield is not for him, and the sweaty hard grip on the stick or brilliant remarks to the lady in the front seat are left up to the wimps. A Real Soaring Pilot flies solo on long cross-country flights, preferably over unlandable terrain, and returns hours after the wimps have tied down and gone home. If he has an evening engagement he’ll simply fly faster, or settle for 300 km that day The Real Soaring Pilot rarely flies less than 300 km except during contests, when a wimpy Contest Director has laid out a shorter task. He will not fly in bad weather unless he can fly in clouds. Not just any clouds: Real Clouds with ice, turbulence, and thunder. No wimps there.
His sailplane
First of all, he never flies a motorglider. He also avoids forgiving types like the Schweizers, preferring character-builders like the ASW-12 and the Standard Cirrus (not just any Cirrus mind you, it has to be one of the early models with the pendulum elevator and no feel). Other sailplanes acceptable to a Real Soaring Pilot are the Nimbus 3, LS-3 (but not LS-1 as there’s inadequate room for him to flex his muscles), ASW-20, and most vintage types. If he has borrowed the Grunau Baby, he loves to out climb the wimp flying an LS-4. He is rarely heard on the radio. A Real Soaring Pilot has short tows, and climbs swiftly in tight turns whether or not the thermals are strong. If he misses, he’ll be back on the ground before the tow plane, and runs to his car to get a second barograph while claiming record-setting soaring conditions. When he returns from a task, it is never with waste excess altitude. Silly computers are for wimps, a Real Soaring Pilot will only use one if he has built it himself (see “his profession”). Otherwise, all he needs is an old PZL with a home-made MacCready ring. No yaw string; he is always coordinated. Actually, with his sensitive feel and great experience, he does not need any instruments at all. No relief tube is needed; he can hold it until he lands.
His appearance
A Real Soaring Pilot smells of sneakers. No cologne. He never wears a jumpsuit with sewn-on club patches all over; he leaves that to the Air Force types or former Air Cadets. He does not change his clothes before he flies; his everyday jeans and T-shirt are quite sufficient for the simple task at hand, although he may add a windbreaker if he plans to fly above 25,000 feet. His hat commands special attention and respect. It was white once before many years of sweat and grime accumulated on it. A Gold C with three Diamonds is, at times, casually pinned on at some random spot. A Real Soaring Pilot frequently sports a beard of the stiff and rugged type. His favourite movies The Thomas Crown Affair, Airplane, Dawn Flight, and Goofy’s Glider.
His profession
He is not likely to be a physician (not enough time), a lawyer (too much risk), an airline pilot (too conservative), or a banker (way too conservative). Most likely, he will be an engineer, as this profession seems to attract the eccentric types with the necessary personality traits of the Real Soaring Pilot. At parties, here we will find the Real Soaring Pilot in a small group where the results from the 1931 Nationals are discussed, along with winch maintenance and Pratt-Read restoration. The Real Soaring Pilot holds a bottle of Molson Dry the way he holds his stick. When the music starts, he’ll dance with Real Women and other men’s wives. Afterwards, if he can’t find his tent or camper, he’ll sleep in the cockpit of any available Real Sailplane. In competition you will find the Real Soaring Pilot high up on the score sheet. You can also recognize him by his flying technique. He always takes off with full water tanks, retracts his wheel so the gear doors brush the runway, and flies the course by himself. Leeches are promptly led into strong sink. His finishes are described by the wimps as “worm-burners” and dangerous, but they are actually precisely calculated manoeuvres performed with great proficiency. On impossible days, he will finally drift in to finish near 7:30 pm, about the same time the wimps are hosing the mud out of their wheel wells.
Finally, the Real Soaring Pilot can be recognized by the quality of his crew (that is, if he has any at all!). These are Real Men or Real Women who hold up a wing tip without complaint, and will have cold beer ready for our Real Pilot as he rolls to a stop.
(I wish)
EY/EX
Sunday 10 February 2008
Jude Law and gliding
Gliding is getting some good advertising
http://www.dunhill.com/en/jude-law
EY/EX
http://www.dunhill.com/en/jude-law
EY/EX
Thursday 7 February 2008
Gauntlet 2 February
We held the monthly Gauntlet on 2 February and though I did not intend flying, after almost everyone fell down, I gladly accepted the opportunity to complete my conversion onto the DG500M under the guidance of Martin Gruenert. When the weather turned out to be in accordance with the prediction, we headed of to Klawer - my first flight there!!! On the way there and back we raced with X32 - one of the most amazing flights i have ever had - thank you Martin and Alan. In the late afternoon Martin and I turned back at Ashton (now already SE) and flew in convergence and wave (there is a divergence between us whether it was in fact wave (2m/s below a lennie and smooth).
Alan wrote as follows
"Hi there
With the exception of Cornelius (whose trace is on OLC) I don’t have any of the competitor’s traces yet. The sad news is that since MIV was unavailable for relights, and because Adriaan was unable to launch himself (we will have to forgive this little foible) we were technically unable to offer every competitor a launch – so Saturday was not a competition day, despite some excellent distances. Thanks Adriaan for giving up your day to launch half the field twice – you da man, bro’.
We eventually started launching the second time at 13h30 when it was obviously cooking. The understandable reluctance of some competitors to be fooled into launching again was soon overcome by reports of 4 m/s in Jan du Toit’s, and Gareth heading North from Jan du Toit’s.
Both Sven and I had an excellent time being lead astray on the return trip from Klawer by Martin – showing us a new route back up the gorges from Bulshoek into the Cedarberg – I would get this demonstrated before trying it yourself! We then topped 240kph southbound on the front ridge racetrack – some of the best conditions I have ever experienced. Play the traces (when both are available) for a fast fun ride. A really memorable flight, thanks Martin.
I think most competitors flew over 300km and were in the pool with the family by shortly after 5pm!
We had a great braai with Dieter Betz (back for more punishment after his earlier visit with Dick Bradley’s Soaring Safaris) and significant other Maria and the other usual suspects. Dieter’s becoming a member so hopefully we will see more of him.
You should really think about flying the Gauntlet, it is really all about having fun. We pay so much attention to the enjoyment stuff that we haven’t scored a single day yet this season! Let’s hope the Marching Gauntlet sorts out the scoring.
See you on 1st of March, with your licences, at 09h00, if YOU can handle it.
regards
Alan O'Regan "
Alan wrote as follows
"Hi there
With the exception of Cornelius (whose trace is on OLC) I don’t have any of the competitor’s traces yet. The sad news is that since MIV was unavailable for relights, and because Adriaan was unable to launch himself (we will have to forgive this little foible) we were technically unable to offer every competitor a launch – so Saturday was not a competition day, despite some excellent distances. Thanks Adriaan for giving up your day to launch half the field twice – you da man, bro’.
We eventually started launching the second time at 13h30 when it was obviously cooking. The understandable reluctance of some competitors to be fooled into launching again was soon overcome by reports of 4 m/s in Jan du Toit’s, and Gareth heading North from Jan du Toit’s.
Both Sven and I had an excellent time being lead astray on the return trip from Klawer by Martin – showing us a new route back up the gorges from Bulshoek into the Cedarberg – I would get this demonstrated before trying it yourself! We then topped 240kph southbound on the front ridge racetrack – some of the best conditions I have ever experienced. Play the traces (when both are available) for a fast fun ride. A really memorable flight, thanks Martin.
I think most competitors flew over 300km and were in the pool with the family by shortly after 5pm!
We had a great braai with Dieter Betz (back for more punishment after his earlier visit with Dick Bradley’s Soaring Safaris) and significant other Maria and the other usual suspects. Dieter’s becoming a member so hopefully we will see more of him.
You should really think about flying the Gauntlet, it is really all about having fun. We pay so much attention to the enjoyment stuff that we haven’t scored a single day yet this season! Let’s hope the Marching Gauntlet sorts out the scoring.
See you on 1st of March, with your licences, at 09h00, if YOU can handle it.
regards
Alan O'Regan "
Tuesday 5 February 2008
A visitor with stature
We are getting many visitors to fly at Worcester but it is not everyday that we get someone like Mark Holiday. (After all his crew at international contests, Daniel Perry was on the famous Nationwide flight that did not quite get to leave Cape Town).
Mark was also just awarded the Aero Club’s Lewis Lang Award as Pilot of the Year – this trophy is awarded annually by the Aero Club to the pilot (could be from any one of the various sections) that the Aero Club consider as having proved to be the “pilot of the year”.
The Soaring Society of SA nominated Mark as having not only won the 15m class at the Gauteng Regionals but also for winning the South African held qualifying Grand Prix. Mark was competing against some of the world’s best pilots including World Champions. Mark - very well done and well deserved.
Mark visited us in late November in preparation for the GP in New Zealand - his flew 620 km at some 132kph in a Twin Astir - a remarkable flight (it is on OLC)
Mark sent me this article (which will appear in our club mag Kraut Koerant, and I am sure elsewhere)
He wrote as follows:
" Seven Hours at Worcester
I felt that part of my preparation for the World GP final to be held at Omarama, New Zealand in December 2007 would be to feel comfortable when running and thermalling close to the rocks. I had spent useful time at the Drakesberg, following Peter Rhia and Mike Barenbrug, and developed a strong admiration for how easily and unceremoniously they stalked and transitioned into wave, but I still returned after a week without a feeling of confidence when flying close to the mountains and generally came away pretty disillusioned about my prospects in NZ.
My strategy was to spend a week at Omarama prior to the official practise days both acclimatising and orienting myself to their mountain conditions. True to form, this week was washed out, as was the first practise day. Thank goodness Sven Olivier had talked me into a training session with Martin Grunert, Worcester’s mountain Guru who apparently had some interesting ridge running techniques at high speed.
With only two weeks to go before I left for NZ, I phoned Sven and asked him to set it up. His weather forecasting skills were stretched to the maximum when he predicted on Monday that Sunday would be good, enabling me to book a flight just before my old crew Daniel Perry dropped his engine at Cape Town International, creating a shortage of seats countrywide. A flurry of Worcester e-mails resulted in them generously making ZS-GOK available for the day.
Sunday dawned early for me and Martin collected me from the airport at 9.30 am. You can imagine my surprise to find GOK ready to fly when I arrived; who said that the Cape wasn’t hospitable?
We took off at 11.45 and Martin quickly predicted that the tug’s route would take us into sink in about 2 minutes. This was my first of many lessons that day in anticipating the ground’s effect on the wind. Martin took the controls after release and we gradually climbed next to the steep mountain edges aiming for the apex of the valley. With what seemed only just enough height we hopped across into an area of inhospitable terrain for about 20 km. I grew a few more grey hairs as we transitioned to the main North –South ridge, which in retrospect was easy and safe, but the entire subsequent flight plagued me with niggling thoughts on how we were going to return by ascending through that pass.
Descending onto the ridge at high speed we smoothly (actually turbulently) stayed right over it, following the undulations in the maximum energy band. It seemed easy, especially as the glider was so responsive at 160- 200 kph. I couldn’t maintain Martin’s speed due to his different flying style which was busy with a lot of minor corrections as opposed to my style where there is usually a paucity of control inputs. He patiently coached me, allowing me to get us into trouble and then taking over when we dropped too far below the ridge crest. We soon arrived at our first turnpoint, Renosterhoek. Our next turnpoint, the N1 tunnel soon appeared, and we beat the same path back again which was excellent training, fewer mistakes this time and I was really starting to enjoy myself.
The next training exercise was to transition across valleys and it felt so slow thermalling for the first time in over two hours having covered 380 km. Thermic activity was hampered by unexpected high cirrus and we decided not to traverse too far inland, returning to the main ridge. To my relief we didn’t return via the pass, and effortlessly returned to the airfield to finish with a bit of training to refine my mountain technique.
A quick beer at the club and then to the airport for the 7pm flight home, it didn’t seem possible that I had boarded the plane in Joburg only 12 hours ago.
It took me about two days to digest all the lessons learnt: stay in the hot zone even if it means following the ridges down, anticipate climbs well in advance, always know the wind direction, go wide around breaches, seatbelt tight and respect the Flarm because closing speeds were often around 400 kph.
Despite my initial anxieties, at no time did I feel we were too close or dangerous. The high speeds and manoeuvrability may have contributed to that and it didn’t take long before we were howling Hee-Hahs every time we felt a surge. What a ride, what a day, we flew 620 km at 132 kph and that included the training manoeuvres!! Do yourself a favour and go to Worcester this summer. I promise you that you will never think of the Twin Astir in the same light again.
Mark Holliday"
Apparently there is some video footage of the flight - once i have it, i will post it.
All for now
EY
Mark was also just awarded the Aero Club’s Lewis Lang Award as Pilot of the Year – this trophy is awarded annually by the Aero Club to the pilot (could be from any one of the various sections) that the Aero Club consider as having proved to be the “pilot of the year”.
The Soaring Society of SA nominated Mark as having not only won the 15m class at the Gauteng Regionals but also for winning the South African held qualifying Grand Prix. Mark was competing against some of the world’s best pilots including World Champions. Mark - very well done and well deserved.
Mark visited us in late November in preparation for the GP in New Zealand - his flew 620 km at some 132kph in a Twin Astir - a remarkable flight (it is on OLC)
Mark sent me this article (which will appear in our club mag Kraut Koerant, and I am sure elsewhere)
He wrote as follows:
" Seven Hours at Worcester
I felt that part of my preparation for the World GP final to be held at Omarama, New Zealand in December 2007 would be to feel comfortable when running and thermalling close to the rocks. I had spent useful time at the Drakesberg, following Peter Rhia and Mike Barenbrug, and developed a strong admiration for how easily and unceremoniously they stalked and transitioned into wave, but I still returned after a week without a feeling of confidence when flying close to the mountains and generally came away pretty disillusioned about my prospects in NZ.
My strategy was to spend a week at Omarama prior to the official practise days both acclimatising and orienting myself to their mountain conditions. True to form, this week was washed out, as was the first practise day. Thank goodness Sven Olivier had talked me into a training session with Martin Grunert, Worcester’s mountain Guru who apparently had some interesting ridge running techniques at high speed.
With only two weeks to go before I left for NZ, I phoned Sven and asked him to set it up. His weather forecasting skills were stretched to the maximum when he predicted on Monday that Sunday would be good, enabling me to book a flight just before my old crew Daniel Perry dropped his engine at Cape Town International, creating a shortage of seats countrywide. A flurry of Worcester e-mails resulted in them generously making ZS-GOK available for the day.
Sunday dawned early for me and Martin collected me from the airport at 9.30 am. You can imagine my surprise to find GOK ready to fly when I arrived; who said that the Cape wasn’t hospitable?
We took off at 11.45 and Martin quickly predicted that the tug’s route would take us into sink in about 2 minutes. This was my first of many lessons that day in anticipating the ground’s effect on the wind. Martin took the controls after release and we gradually climbed next to the steep mountain edges aiming for the apex of the valley. With what seemed only just enough height we hopped across into an area of inhospitable terrain for about 20 km. I grew a few more grey hairs as we transitioned to the main North –South ridge, which in retrospect was easy and safe, but the entire subsequent flight plagued me with niggling thoughts on how we were going to return by ascending through that pass.
Descending onto the ridge at high speed we smoothly (actually turbulently) stayed right over it, following the undulations in the maximum energy band. It seemed easy, especially as the glider was so responsive at 160- 200 kph. I couldn’t maintain Martin’s speed due to his different flying style which was busy with a lot of minor corrections as opposed to my style where there is usually a paucity of control inputs. He patiently coached me, allowing me to get us into trouble and then taking over when we dropped too far below the ridge crest. We soon arrived at our first turnpoint, Renosterhoek. Our next turnpoint, the N1 tunnel soon appeared, and we beat the same path back again which was excellent training, fewer mistakes this time and I was really starting to enjoy myself.
The next training exercise was to transition across valleys and it felt so slow thermalling for the first time in over two hours having covered 380 km. Thermic activity was hampered by unexpected high cirrus and we decided not to traverse too far inland, returning to the main ridge. To my relief we didn’t return via the pass, and effortlessly returned to the airfield to finish with a bit of training to refine my mountain technique.
A quick beer at the club and then to the airport for the 7pm flight home, it didn’t seem possible that I had boarded the plane in Joburg only 12 hours ago.
It took me about two days to digest all the lessons learnt: stay in the hot zone even if it means following the ridges down, anticipate climbs well in advance, always know the wind direction, go wide around breaches, seatbelt tight and respect the Flarm because closing speeds were often around 400 kph.
Despite my initial anxieties, at no time did I feel we were too close or dangerous. The high speeds and manoeuvrability may have contributed to that and it didn’t take long before we were howling Hee-Hahs every time we felt a surge. What a ride, what a day, we flew 620 km at 132 kph and that included the training manoeuvres!! Do yourself a favour and go to Worcester this summer. I promise you that you will never think of the Twin Astir in the same light again.
Mark Holliday"
Apparently there is some video footage of the flight - once i have it, i will post it.
All for now
EY
Saturday 5 January 2008
Day 1 on day 3
300km racing task;-) weather same as yesterday :-(
EY
---- Sent using a Sony Ericsson mobile phone
EY
---- Sent using a Sony Ericsson mobile phone
Saturday 4 Jan - still day 1
Hi everyone, it has been a bit hectic, hence the lack of postings. We are still on day 1, three days into the contest. Both the first and the second days were bedevilled by rapidly developing CuNimbs which, on both days brought launching to a halt, followed, after deliberations by the CD, Jacques van Wyk, and task setter, Dick Bradley, of the cancellation of the day. Yesterday the race was to get the gliders safely derigged (or hangered) before the hail bearing CuNimb was upon us. I was towing back in light rain and half an hour later it was hailing. Though it was a light hail, everyone was glad to be safely on the ground. In the late after noon the skies in the distant west looked clear - and ever optimistic - we are looking forward to a good days flying today.
EY
EY
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