Omarama Day 3 - Two more fronts went through overnight leaving us in a fresh south westerly airstream which meant that the best ridges to use were those to the south of the site. So after reviewing yesterday's flights and more wave flying theory Pete and Gabriel launched in Duo Discus x "DD" (with yet another completely different instrument fit to get used to!) at around13:00 into an 8 knot thermal.
The cumulus was a bit low (at 6500') over the planned route, so an alternative ridge line was selected, which coincided with an encouraging looking convergence. Following cloudbase for about 100 km, the sky was changing and a reasonable route to anywhere looked unlikely without climbing higher. Whilst Pete maintained height on the ridges, Gabriel was using his superb sky watching skills to spot a likely wave entry route. Stopping the climb at 13,500 ft, at the base of some airspace, and set off north to reach Mount Cook. After an easy 150kms glide, gaining 3000 ft on the way, and still 50 km or so short of the goal, the Omarama fickle finger of fate struck, all the needles hit the down stops and stayed that way, losing over 6000 ft in 20 km! and dropping out of the bottom of the wave in the process. Back to 8000 ft over a 6500 ft ridge in the roughest rotor thermal ever. A prolonged and very turbulent recovery ensued but eventually the wave was re-entered and enough height gained for an uncomplicated glide home.
Sky before Takeoff
A challenging flight in parts, easy in others, for four and a half hours and about 300 km.
