Tuesday 12th Feb - DSGC down under

Omarama Day 2 - The morning was spent reviewing the traces from monday on Seeyou.Followed  by a lecture on structure of thermals in the mountains.

After an early lunch, the grid started launching at one o'clock. The forecast  was for good thermals but a potential early finish with thickening cirrus from the next system.

Jill and Gabriel were third to go in DuoDiscus xL QQ. Gabriel pulled off early in a cracking thermal in the valley overhead the airfield. Stepping up into the foothills the good thermals did not seem to be over the ridges, and after a short exploration and close encounter with sheep on the top of a spur, things got going.

Having worked up to 9000ft made an easy transition into wave heading for Mount Cook. Climbing through 10000ft we realised that the oxygen wasn't turned on, so made a decision to go for distance instead of height today.

After an orbit of Mount Cook and Mt Tasman with some great photos, Gabriel decided that we could easily make Mt Aspiring along the energy lines of the wave just above the Cumulus. There was much more cloud to the south west and from 12000ft, Mt Aspiring didn't appear until we were fairly close, although its position was never in doubt with cumulus higher and pouring down the leeward side.

Having turned back for home, Gabriel suggested that we overshoot to explore the nice looking convergence developing to the east of site, but it didn't last long and a straight -in approach from 6000ft was a new experience. -A great flight thanks to the fantastic sky reading (and flying) of Gabriel, 400kms in 4.5 hours.

Check out Jill's flight on the OLC

Mt Cook

Monday 11th Feb - DSGC down under

Omarama Day 1- The Mackenzie basin seems to have a micro-climate of its own, and does not follow any of the televised forecasts. But CFI Lemmy seems to make a good interpretation of it each morning.

The forecast rain took a little longer to clear through than expected. So a morning of introductions and briefings on wave transition and flying safely in the mountains was followed by launching after lunch.

This proved to be a bit too soon, as the first two launches were back on the ground fairly swiftly having found nothing to stay up in at all! After a delay of about an hour launching restarted.

Having been one of the earlier launches Pete and Gabriel were now at the back of the queue, but this turned out to be an advantage as the initial climb away from the site became easier.

We were flying Duo Discus xL "QQ"and were towed straight out into the gentle westerly, to some scrappy looking rotor thermal, this then allowed us to climb high enough to push forward over the first big ridge at about 5000' (Omarama 1380' amsl). Ridge and thermal got us higher again, for another jump forward to a really big Cu cloud, which in turn allowed another jump into wind, into the Ahuriri valley which looked as if it was a wave gap in the carpet of cumulus.

Tracking along the line of the Barrier Range provided 8 to 10 knot climb to just short of 18, 000', whilst still climbing at 4 knots boredom set in and we set off for a high altitude tour of the southern lakes, until we thought it time to go home, last to land at 19:45 after a flight of about three hours.

Jill's turn tomorrow!
Check out Pete's flight on OLC

Climbing High in Wave

Sunday 10th Feb - Water, water works and tears

Well I can honestly say that I have never seen so much water in the lanes driving to the club on this February morning! The field was being used today by the Beavers, the Exeter Water Polo Club. A great bunch, please don't come back soon though!
In the clubhouse we welcomed Jo, a French guy who traveled up with the "New" Plymouth Brethren and Sam, a friend of  Mr " Hair today" Liam AKA pockets. 

How can they be so happy???

Paul S gave the newbies a really good talk on glider basics which they seemed to enjoy.
In the lecture room a bit later Mike S gave his first lecture on circuit planning to an audience consisting of Simon L, Mark C, Pete S, Paul S and Dave W. Despite our best efforts to play bad pupils he performed well!
The club room seemed to fill up with people keen to watch the rain whilst eating and drinking  - it's amazing how people can be so cheerful on a day that could make a Panda cry.
Henry worked hard at fixing the water pump delivery system. In the process he nearly managed to electrocute his willing helper (William).  Please note to anyone attempting work on electrical systems, DO NOT stand in a bucket of water whilst connecting high voltage wires!
And lastly the Tears. Down in the glider workshop Mark C collected his band of helpers who scraped the paint off the nose of his ASW20 armed with wire brushes and metal files and JB was last seen consoling the trauma ridden owners Mark C and Mike S .

Another wet day but filled with humour and banter. MC

It's amazing what you can achieve with a wire brush!
  

 

Sat 9th Feb - normal service resumes.....................

With the weather that is. Low cloud and rain has turned the field 'a bit soggy' again and there was no flying.
Time wasn't wasted though as Pete S rallied the troops and got several maintenance jobs done including sorting the tyre problem on the Junior which meant leveling and jacking it while stowed in the back of the hangar - does anybody remember the Krypton Factor?
Many thanks to Andrew L, Ruth, Gordon H, Stu P, Wyn and Dylan(loafing back from Uni), and any I've forgotten.

A plea to everyone - please do not use HCX on the muddy field until the wheel fairing has returned from repair.

Thurs 7th feb - Instructors, buses and a good plumber

Well you can't find an instructor anywhere, then just like buses seven  turn up at once!! (Well almost all at once). That was the story today with Chris W, Eric A, Pete F, Mark C, JB, Matt and Ron! For once the winch could be used as the field was remarkably dry so the club was very busy today and with the list quite long we needed every available aircraft. 

Wow a Winch Launch!

Unfortunately HCX was in for its annual check and the K13 has been declared U/S due to a cracked multiway  joint in the plumbing. PeteS supplied some joiners and I supplied some tube, all we needed was a reliable "plumber" with a spine as flexible as Bill Gates's credit card. Enter William P. Many thanks for the fix William, I have left the Radox bath salts in the clubhouse . 

Joe S did some field landing practice in the Falke along with some simulated air tow rope break exercises (thinly disguised flypasts). If you have never done this I suggest you speak nicely to a Motor Glider Instructor and have a go, it will be the best value 30 mins flying you will ever have. Ask Joe! 

Ray D took the opportunity in  ideal conditions to re-solo  after a long weather break and JB did some spinning in the K13. The ridge was just about working despite the wind being quite light on the ground and at one point there were four gliders in a thermal, yes a thermal ! 

With all the instructors taking turns the entire group got to fly (just) before we packed away in light drizzle. My prediction of wave last week didn't quite materialise but I am sure next week we will be all sitting at 8000ft.

Many thanks to all you hard working Thursday crew and to Zoe for her excellent catering.

You just got to love Thursdays . 

MC

After a rather heavy landing Matt needed a little help to exit the aircraft!!!
I thought you said your straps were tight!

Wednesday 6th Feb

Apart from 25 gusting 35kt freezing wind straight across the still waterlogged field which prevented flying, it was a nice day and plenty of the Wednesday hopefulls turned up eager to help with the road repairs that have been delayed due to lack of materials. The work was quite extensive, and look away now Robert, we have used up nearly all the road repair kit.

Blacktop boys showing off their leaning skills

Thanks to the press gang :- Pete W ,Mark L, Matt, William, Nick H, and JS, after we had finished we all enjoyed a nice bonfire to warm up.

"It won't burn in this wind", is a red rag to a pyromaniac

JB and Ruth are hard at work on polishing the wings of HCX during its Annual.

 

Pretending to work

JS

Sat 2nd Feb

With the airfield still a little too damp for the winch, the Pawnee came into its own for yet another day.  A strong northerly wind produced a mighty rough ground run and prevented most members from flying solo. Despite this, and the biting cold at the launch point, there was soon a respectable list of pilots eager to get off the ground.

Both K21s and DG505 were busy all day.  Adrian P and Martin W took advantage of the Junior reduced rates, with Adrian scoring the longest flight of the day (42 minutes).  Once off the ground, the air was smooth and crystal clear, and the views outstanding.  We flew our first Trial Lesson of the year and welcomed Darren, a visitor from Brentor.

Evening colours

Stu is rewarded after towing all day, by having an evening flight with Jimbob

Sat 2nd Feb - DSGC down under

Made it to South island just ahead of the rugby sevens in Wellington -well done England., with a nice smooth crossing (- no worries Mark L).

100kms drive to probably the remotest gliding club we've ever been to - Nelson Lakes, a 1.5 km x 100m east west paddock with ridges and foothills on both sides and big mountains within reach.There was a small farm building housing 2 twin Acros and a single Astir. Behind the hangar was ' a long drop' and by the launch point a large garden shed for a clubhouse.

Scenic Grid

Downwind right hand into Lake Station, Nelson

It was lovely day, with cloud still on the mountains at first, the breeze was down the strip and the usual assortment of local gliding people who were far outnumbered by the swarms of large Bumble bees.

Local knowledge suggested that it wouldn't be soarable for a while so we sat around and chatted with the friendly locals.

Do ya thinks it's working mate? Club house gallery.

CFi Rob launched his Nimbus 2 and disappeared for several hours,  but the other locals were still circuit bashing from 1400ft winch launches. We launched just after 2pm, wit duty instructor Kerry, but couldn't do any better.

Late afternoon, Pete had another go  and the single seaters also started soaring.

Pete and Kerry picked up a 4 kt thermal off the winch, to near cloudbase at 3000ft above site (airfield 1700ft amsl). Then flew along the line of the home ridge close to cloud-base then got onto the Mount Robert ridge and with an increasing westerly wind allowed them to follow the rising mountain crests and cloud-bases until they were at 7000ft and 30 kms south of the site.

The peak just left of centre under the cumulus is 7000ft, Mt Cupola

The rocks were incredibly craggy and there were two large glacial valleys full of water.

Incredible Craggy Rocks of Mt Cupola at 7000'

It was then more than time to go home, and they flew back over the lower cumulus to let down over the airfield. It was a very welcoming small club that fly mainly Saturdays + more if the weather suits.
- Jill and Pete.
See where Jill and Pete are click on the links.
Lake Station Airport
Mt Cupola, South of Lake Station

Thurs 31st Jan - Tantrums, Teas and Tuggies

When we rolled up today the sky was blue but within minutes it was raining, not AGAIN! Cue tantrums!

Luckily it was a short lived shower, there was then a long and extensive pitch inspection.  At first we thought we could winch launch, but driving on the field with the Land Rover, even with its big fat wheels left brown lines. We retired to the clubhouse for numerous hot cups of tea whilst we allowed the field to "dry" a little more. It was decided that we could set up the field with the launch point a little in front of the club house and aerotow from the crest of the field.

Conditions were "lively" to say the least  with a 30 mph + WNW wind but the intrepid Tuggies were keen to save the day - (respect). Once you endured the rather entertaining aerotow to 1000ft you could climb all the way along the West ridge. Heights to 1600 ft were easily possible, there was a real mix of wave rotor, thermal and pure ridge lift. Gliders were called down after 30-ish min so that everyone could get a flight. It would seem that Pete S had his iPod earphones plugged in because he could not hear us calling him down for nearly an hour, only descending so he could  post the "first" x-country of the year from North Hill, NHL-CUL-NHL.

http://www.bgaladder.co.uk/dscore.asp?FlightID=39512&RC=

Top honours go to Treasurer Tom (formally Texas) and Matt with their 58 min flight. They only descended to allow Tom to eagerly charge people's accounts for flying, a task that he has not been able to undertake of late! 

Everyone learnt something new today (I hope), and with the flying list completed the dirty bottoms were washed by 5pm. A challenging but hugely enjoyable day,  made possible by the rather brave Tuggies Matt and Peter St, my assistant instructor Chris W and all the usual super keen Thursday bunch.

Roll on next Thursday especially as I have ordered NE wave to arrive by 10 am.

Mark C  

Dirty bottoms cleaned!

Weds 30th January

Wednesday forecast was for very strong west wind it was 20 kt gusting to 35 kt, apart from that the field was waterlogged, this didn't stop the usual Wednesday optimists from turning up.

Our road repair materials have arrived and for those who would prefer to mend the road rather than fly the is a huge backlog of work to be done! JS.