Saturday, 20 February 2016
Friday, 19 February 2016
Task 5 - Tapawera
NW 15 knots +
Task: Take-off to Kohatu Pub then up to WANGAP back to Kohatu pub. Back to Tapawera take off then up the Tadmor Valley to Goal. 48km.
Arriving at take off the wind was light but by the time we rigged and had the briefing it had risen to 13 knots. Pilots filed off the hill into ridge lift and light thermals.
Two pilots took the second start gate and the rest took the third.
After height was gained it was a slow push to wpt 1 getting sporadic lift along the way and a slow push for the last 2km to get to the wpt. Once back on the ridge the downwind run back past take-off was not a problem.
Gaining height above take off and heading on to wpt 2 it was found that a head wind was encountered as you passed the junction of the Tadmor and Motueka valleys. It was surprising not to find convergence here but it seemed that it was on the other side of the valley.
Pilots who made it 5km from wpt 2 found rotor on the windward side of the hill which quickly pushed them to the deck.
John headed back down wind to find lift and gained more height allowing him to push out to 800 meters of wpt 2, which allowed him to win the day.
The wind had picked up after we took off and as the direction was over the far hills we must have encountered the down cycle of wave pushing everyone to the deck. All pilots landed safely and they had a good story to tell.
Task: Take-off to Kohatu Pub then up to WANGAP back to Kohatu pub. Back to Tapawera take off then up the Tadmor Valley to Goal. 48km.
Arriving at take off the wind was light but by the time we rigged and had the briefing it had risen to 13 knots. Pilots filed off the hill into ridge lift and light thermals.
Two pilots took the second start gate and the rest took the third.
After height was gained it was a slow push to wpt 1 getting sporadic lift along the way and a slow push for the last 2km to get to the wpt. Once back on the ridge the downwind run back past take-off was not a problem.
Gaining height above take off and heading on to wpt 2 it was found that a head wind was encountered as you passed the junction of the Tadmor and Motueka valleys. It was surprising not to find convergence here but it seemed that it was on the other side of the valley.
Pilots who made it 5km from wpt 2 found rotor on the windward side of the hill which quickly pushed them to the deck.
John headed back down wind to find lift and gained more height allowing him to push out to 800 meters of wpt 2, which allowed him to win the day.
The wind had picked up after we took off and as the direction was over the far hills we must have encountered the down cycle of wave pushing everyone to the deck. All pilots landed safely and they had a good story to tell.
Thursday, 18 February 2016
CAA Inspections...
Here's Mac McCarthy (CAA Inspector) checking out Rod Stuart's glider in the Forestry camp hall in Tapawera on Wednesday. He wants to learn to fly :^)
Results Update
Day 4 results have been updated (and some changes to earlier days). Totals now show tasks 1 - 4. No flying today...
Wednesday
Still waiting on Day 4 scores...
Wednesday: Weather Light drizzle in the morning becoming heavy rain in the afternoon with strong and gusty winds.
No briefing this morning due to weather conditions, so pilots slept in or headed off to Motueka or Nelson to entertain themselves while rain came down.
The campground at Tapawera had a tree fell down and a few tent pegs were pulled out due to high winds but no reports of the inside of tents getting wet.
Late afternoon everyone meet at the Hidden Sculpture Garden Café for the midweek BBQ which Glenn had organised. And I must say he did a great job for a vegetarian. A large box of steak was consumed along with sausages and some fine vegetarian patties for the many vegetarians at this year’s event. The owners of the Café put together an array of salads that were praised by all. Beer and good conversation flowed on into the night.
There is a chance of getting a fly in on Thursday if the winds are not too high.
Wednesday: Weather Light drizzle in the morning becoming heavy rain in the afternoon with strong and gusty winds.
No briefing this morning due to weather conditions, so pilots slept in or headed off to Motueka or Nelson to entertain themselves while rain came down.
The campground at Tapawera had a tree fell down and a few tent pegs were pulled out due to high winds but no reports of the inside of tents getting wet.
Late afternoon everyone meet at the Hidden Sculpture Garden Café for the midweek BBQ which Glenn had organised. And I must say he did a great job for a vegetarian. A large box of steak was consumed along with sausages and some fine vegetarian patties for the many vegetarians at this year’s event. The owners of the Café put together an array of salads that were praised by all. Beer and good conversation flowed on into the night.
There is a chance of getting a fly in on Thursday if the winds are not too high.
Wednesday, 17 February 2016
Latest (Weds a wet rest day)
From Rod Stuart via Glenn...
Day 2 and 3 we flew tasks that took us over stunning scenery and climbing in the smoothest thermals you can imagine. I missed turn point 2 one day and flew 26km in the wrong direction with the nationals organiser Glenn. We de-rigged, sat under an old oak tree and declared our flight one of the best we had ever had.
We download our track logs at Kohatu Cafe each night and the scorers are doing well. John Smith is leading after 3 rounds but all 38 of us feel like winners with the flying we are getting. 4 rounds are needed to make the competition valid.
Tuesday we might sneak in a fly before 3 days of forecast rain. Saturday looks promising as our last day. A Wednesday night BBQ at the hidden sculpture garden cafe promises to be a lively event.
Saturday night is planned as the prize giving.
Kevin is doing a great job as director. He keeps his briefings short and to the point, is an awesome launch master and at the end of each day accounts for every pilot.
Mt Murchison has stolen the show. I have no doubt that this place will become Mecca for hang gliding in the South Island.
We download our track logs at Kohatu Cafe each night and the scorers are doing well. John Smith is leading after 3 rounds but all 38 of us feel like winners with the flying we are getting. 4 rounds are needed to make the competition valid.
Tuesday we might sneak in a fly before 3 days of forecast rain. Saturday looks promising as our last day. A Wednesday night BBQ at the hidden sculpture garden cafe promises to be a lively event.
Saturday night is planned as the prize giving.
Kevin is doing a great job as director. He keeps his briefings short and to the point, is an awesome launch master and at the end of each day accounts for every pilot.
Mt Murchison has stolen the show. I have no doubt that this place will become Mecca for hang gliding in the South Island.
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