Sunday 28th June 2015

Sunday dawned better than forecast. We had considerable interest for gliding. However the weather Gods had other ideas...John and Wills were airborne early in JW, but already the wind was picking up. Pete was next up. After this tow the cross wind was gusting 20+ kts and further launches where going to push the limits. This was a disappointment for Louise from Australia, and Roland and Phil who where lined up but wisely stayed on the deck. The wind got strong enough that ground-handling the gliders was difficult.

Meanwhile Wills was whistling north with a good tailwind. He turned at St Bathans and slowly plugged south with a 40-50kt headwind. There was a lot of snow up-valley. Nothing much had melted during the last week!

St Bathans Range

Once back at Alex John and Wills had plenty of time and height for loops, stall, spins and turning instruction. 

Wills piloting JW (note snow in Manuherikia)

Pete also had a quick trip northwards but found the wave disorganised. He had a good flight to Ben Ohau Range and arrived back just before the front came through., landing on the crosswind runway.

Many thanks to Gary for the tows in trying conditions.

Sunday 21 June

Just one quick winch circuit for John and Wills in JW. After we cleared a rope tangle the forecast southerly front came in with a roar and we packed up in the cold rain. The fire in the clubroom was most welcome.

June 14th 2015

Sunday was a typical SW wave day with about 30-40kts up high. The Old Man Range was pumping from early morning and Gary gave us quick, easy tows to the edge of the wave-front. Phil, Roland, Pete and John all had good flights. Firstly we went south to about Millers Flat where the low cloud of Southland made further progress risky. Then northwards again: Pete and John got clearance into the Pisa Wave so headed up towards Wanaka and back, saying hi to Darren Smith who was dropping meat-bombs out of ROK and through the cloud over Wanaka Airport.
At the end of the day Pete snuck into the Nevis, flying a credible 330km for a mid-winter SW'er. We landed late with cold feet, but soon had the fire cranking in the clubhouse. It rained not long afterwards.

In the Pisa Wave looking north at 16000'