Sunday 26th July 2015

Another fairly "extreme" day in terms of wave lift. There was an unstable westerly airflow with perhaps a couple of weak fronts that flicked past during the day. Needless to say the conditions changed rapidly. We started early (for us!) because the AGM and dinner was on in the evening. John and Dan (friend of Wills) were first away in JW. The wind on the ground was picking up but the tow was pretty good and they released in smooth lift at about 4000'.

They were followed by Phil and Pete but by then the wind had got up further and the lift disappeared and both landed back after a struggle.

Waikaia Valley Southland from great heights

It was 50kts up top was John reckons he spent half the flight with the airbrakes out trying to keep below FL130! They flew down the Waikaia a wee way and generally did flight training and sight-seeing for the 2 hour flight. Luckily by the time they landed the wind on the ground had moderated considerably.

Thanks again to Russell for more aerotowing in the rough, and to the other helpers on the day.

Sunday 19th July 2015

The snowy SW cleared just in time for Sunday flying. First away was Philippe, a visiting gliding instructor from Belgium. He was keen to experience his first wave flight, which he sure did and it got the thumbs up!

Actually it was a pretty rough day, with violent lift, at times close to 2000 fpm up and down. The patch between 4000 and 6000 was the worst, but once in the wave proper it was gentle and warm in the sunshine high above the considerable cloud.

 Upper winds were S-SW 40knots or more. It cleared as the day progressed but appeared to be socked-in totally in all directions except Alex. On the ground it was pretty calm and warm, a total contrast to the turmoil above!

Philippe flew with John in JW, as did the next 2 pilots (Wills and Russell Read). Both these flights were rough too, at times climbing at 1000 fpm with airbrakes extended while trying to descend. Russell Read's flight was only 35 mins long but we still managed to climb to 12500'

Pete McKenzie and glider pilot Peter Ryan braved the final wave flight of the day (another rough transition each way). JW certainly earned her keep on Sunday! A big thanks to Russell Anderson for towing. Both the towing and the instruction were surprisingly unpleasant tasks to perform more than once through that rough air, and we were happy to land, and sit on steady terra firma, calming nerves drinking Belgian beer by the fire.