Tuesday 29 September 2015

Gliding Tuesday 29th Sept 2015

Doug kindly launched John into promising skies. He had a nice 3hr/200km tour visiting Timaru River  via a similar route as the previous day. On the way back he headed east down the Rough Ridge on a weak convergence and back to Alex. The high cloud kept the southerly from coming in until late, ideal conditions for a Sparks beer or two with Doug in the sun after a quick derig.

Monday 28 September 2015

Gliding Monday 28th Sept 2015

Phil kindly launched Roland and John into promising skies. Cloud was still on the local tops but lifting slowly as we got established. We meandered north along the Dunstans but came adrift somewhat at the Lindis. Roland had a 3500' low point above Morven Hills airstrip (where a busy Cresco kept us interested). John turned Timaru River at 8000', and they met up again on the Dunstans. Then it was over to Skipjack Saddle to climb high enough to reach the Remarkables (8500') and home.
The Remarkable and Lake Alta (frozen!)

Except we spied the southerly convergence over Lower Mannorburn so had a peek (7kts average to 6000'). John helped Roland identify the Olrig and Galloway Station airstrips then it was home to land about 6pm into a strong cold southerly. About 4.5 hrs pleasant flying!

Saturday 26 September 2015

Sunday 26th Sept 2015

We dragged the gliders out at 0800hrs to display them at the very successful open day...over 50 aircraft were present. Dust devils at noon indicated an OK thermal day and so it was.

 


We all flew, initially the cloud base was a tad low (4000'), but it reached to over 6000 on the western Dunstans later in the day. Pete drove the winch for the first session, launching John and Phil in their singles and Doug and Wills in JW. After a quick 100 km flight John returned to launch Pete (LP) and JW a couple of times (Pax and Roy). Pete flew til 6pm, and Phil had a well deserved long flight too. Thanks to all the helpers for the open day and later flying.

David Burke adds more about the open day:

Build it; advertise it; and they will come
By David Burke

A quiet invitation went out to friends and family alike, and the Central Otago Flying Club and the Alexandra Airport Authority’s first open day took flight. Hundreds of people and over 50 fixed wing planes, gliders, gyrocopters, micro lights, and home-built aircraft from across the lower south island took time out on Saturday 24th September to join together and share stories and innovations at the open day held at the Alexandra airport. It was a resounding success, with even the weather playing its part. It was a great opportunity to showcase the work that has been done with the buildings, accommodation and hangers at the Alexandra airport and encourage those non-flyers to have look and perhaps spark an interest. There were two display lines of visiting aircraft, which gave free and easy access to the visitors. Many pilots took the opportunity to show off their aircrafts with short displays. In addition to all this, the BBQ sausages and onions were flowing freely, along with tea and coffee. A big thank you to Nigel Forrester and all the members of the Central Otago Flying Club for their help and support in organising this open day. There are high hopes that, following this successful day, we may be able to attract new members who wish to learn to fly.
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Monday 21 September 2015

Gliding 20th Sept 2015

Spring thermals for all....A strong inversion around 4000' prevent us getting too far away but the soaring was fun. First away being John with visiting German pilot Nadja in JW. Phil winched them up at noon and they soared for hour over the translator ridge. Nadja really enjoyed our mountain views and uncluttered skies. Back home she flies an LS4 near Bonn. Here's her club website:
www.acbh.de.

Meanwhile Phil launched Pete and Roland in their singles. They headed over toward the Ida and Omakau. By now the day was becoming a bit more stable. John took over winching for a while, getting Phil airborne, then Doug and Russell Read.

Visiting German pilot Nadja enjoy her soaring flight in JW
Pete landed back and took over winching, getting John away in KG and finally Doug and Wills.
So a good start to spring, everyone getting some useful thermally practice.

Monday 14 September 2015

Gliding Sunday 13th Sept 2015

The SW wave was pumping from early morning and there was a cool southerly blowing down 14 grass. John and Phil got the ball rolling before noon. First off were John and Elvira in JW, kindly launched by Phil.

After a bit of thermalling they climbed into the wave and flew off down to Roxburgh and back for a good hour's flight...what a great birthday present for Elvira! Next John winched up Phil in KJ, followed by Doug and Russell Read (good wave flights).

SW wave from the Old Man Range


John got away in KG after Doug landed and launched him directly into the wave above the airfield. He flew done to Millers Flat high above the extensive cloud that was covering Southland and East Otago. Finally it was Elvira's husband Joost's turn to fly. Unfortunately the wave had now shifted so he just got a couple of circuits with Doug instead.
So a great day's flying and we were indeed lucky to reach the SW wave so easily off the winch.