Sunday 8th Feb 2015

JW, Gary and Doug had a busy day on Sunday. First off was trial-flight for Brian Edler, an ex Tiger Moth CMT  pilot. Unfortunately there was lots of sink about making it an 11 min tow and 12 min flight. Clearly the wave was dumping along that route! Doug then had 3 other friends to fly. He stayed in the backseat the whole time, landing short each the aid of the 15kt+ wind. On these flights some soaring was possible with the occasional strong thermal about.

Approaching Mt St Mary

As beer time approached (well, 330pm...) John asked for a check flight after being laid-up with broken arm(s) the past month or so. With Doug still in the back they released in good lift and went in search of the possible wave. This was eventually found behind the Old Man Range, and although not greatly inspiring they talked each other into checking out the Dunstan wave next. With a good tail wind component they headed north, and being the last flight of the day kept going. Lured into the MacKenzie by better-looking clouds they aimed for Mt St Mary up the Ahuriri Valley. It was now pretty late, so with over 100km back to base they climbed to 17000' and headed south. The Dunstan wave was now messy and it took all of Doug's skill to get JW home against a 20kt headwind with sink and rough rotor. Thy landed at 7pm after a 300km run. All in all Doug spent over 6 hours strapped in the back of JW!
Many thanks to Gary for the towing, plus Roy and of course Doug.

Track of the 8th