Tuesday flying 16-12-14

After missing what looked a fantastic day on Monday. Phil was able to drop his tools, at short notice (many thanks) and come up to the field to launch Roland and I on Tuesday.

It turned out to be another excellent day, quickly escaping the local inversion at 4,500ft, and following the Omarama crew south to the Mavora Lakes. Here I found the strongest thermal I’ve had at 11knts ave, and over 12,000ft (thanks Roger). I then went North via Earnslaw, leaving Roger Sparks to explore further west. North around the top of the Shotover, across lake Wanaka, and up to the top of the Hunter. A good run down the Barrier Range and on under a convergence running over the Dunstans toward Omakau, finishing with a long glide home via the Manorburn Reservoir.

Roland started south, but unfamiliarity in the Nevis turned him to the north, up to Lake Ohau etc.

Some pics here from the flight.

https://plus.google.com/photos/106438043627549625814/albums/6093733560910453329

(from Pete)

Tuesday 2nd December 2014

Sunday was strong cross wind again so we were keen to fly on the one fine thermal day of the past month(s).
Roy, Dave and Dave helped John and Pete get going and Russell towed. There was a strong inversion, after the equally strong southerlies past few days, and this slowed progress. It took an hour or more to breach the 4000' layer and it was 4pm before John got to St Bathans Range. He returned from here but Pete went faster and further making it out west for a great circuit of Hawea and Matuki, Pisa and home.

Many thanks for all those helped.

Sunday 23rd Nov 2014

Some difficult soaring, high cloud, weak therms and wave. Doug instructed Roy, Phil (check flight), Jacques. Pete struggled away and was finally rewarded by contacting wave and flying to Garston and back.