Late Registration Update

From the organiser:
We are continuing the discount for early registration until Jan 11 for those who haven't registered yet. Please contact gmeadows@xtra.co.nz.

From the THPGC:
Extreme Fire Risk likely in February. All vehicles must carry a Fire Extinguisher of at least 0.9 kg, and a shovel. No smoking at all at launch or landing areas.

Nelson PG Open

A reminder that the Nelson PG Open early-bird discount runs out at the end of December. If you want to sign up, go to the PG Open website at http://www.pgopen.org.nz/home/nelson

Thanks - Frog Twissell, Comp Director

2016 Ferry DIscount Details

 

GROUP RATES QUOTED FOR 

 

National Paragliding and Hang Gliding 

 

Group Booking Reference:FA5655 

 

The below rates are based on return travel, prices to date, inclusive of GST and subject to availability. 

 

Off Peak Fares:                            Each Way 

Adult                                              $45.00 

Premium Plus                                 $45.00  18yrs plus 

Child                                               $25.00 

Car/Van/4x4 

Up to 5.5 metres                             $124.00 each 

Extra half meter over 5.5m            $19.00 

Trailer up to 2.5 tonne                    $124.00 

Extra half metre over 5.5m             $19.00 

Trailer 2.5 tonne to 3.5 tonne          $227.00 

Extra half metre over 5.5 metre       $37.00 

Off Peak Dates: 

09-11 February 16 

22 February – 16 March 16 

 

Peak Fares:                                     Each Way 

Adult                                                $52.00 

Premium Plus                                  $45.00  18yrs plus 

Child                                                $25.00 

Car/Van/4x4 

Up to 5.5 metres                              $137.00 each 

Extra half meter over 5.5m             $22.00 

Trailer up to 2.5 tonne                    $137.00 

Extra half metre over 5.5m             $22.00 

Trailer 2.5 tonne to 3.5 tonne          $227.00 

Extra half metre over 5.5 metre       $37.00 

Peak Dates: 

12-21 February 16 

 

 

Group Booking conditions and instructions for members are: 

 

• Each reservation must be made direct with Interislander –  
• Online at http://www.interislander.co.nz/Booking/Group-Bookings.aspx 
• Entering FA5655 into the Discount Code  
• Every reservation will be given an expiry/payment date, required to be paid in full by that date 
• Space is subject to availability at the time of the booking request 
• Bookings are 90% refundable if cancelled after payment made, but prior to final check in time.  No refund if advised after this time. 
• Paragliding or Hang Gliding Licence must be shown at check in or retail fares will be charged. 
• Fares valid for travel  18 January through to 16 March 16 

2016 Nationals Ferry Discounts

Any North Island pilots coming to the Nelson HG National Championship who may be interested in a group booking discount for the ferry trip?

 

Mark Alton will be coordinating this. Please contact Mark if this appeals to you

markalton@yahoo.com, 0221955746

2016 Nationals - The Nelson Golden Triangle

Glenn Meadows has started to do the groundwork for the 2016 Nationals.

The dates are Sat 13 Feb to Sat 20 Feb with 21st Feb as a reserve day.

There are some accommodation links on the left. Sites are:

Sherry River (preferred site if weather favourable)

2WD, skyfloaters ok.

Inwoods Lookout
4WD but good, Advanced Pilots only - no skyfloaters

Tapawera
4WD last 100m, novice site. For stronger SW winds.

Mt Murchison (if we want a drive)
4WD and driver essential.

All vehicles shall require a fire extinguisher and a shovel to be carried at all times in forestry areas. Also having a driver is essential for some of our sites due to access restrictions and difficult roads.

There are links to Topomaps on the left.

Registration procedure as for Wanaka - link is on the left.

Dalby Day 7 - April 18 (Last Day)

Weather: NNE 25Kmh winds Heavy coverage of cloud with rain possible in the late afternoon.

Task: Dalby Airport to Millmerran Airport 76Km to the south. Cloud base 5500ft

With pilots having flown over 25hrs so far, the short task to Millmerran Airport was welcomed for the last day. Dense cloud cover did not allow a lot of sun in  but with the dark bases and strong tail wind it looked to be a quick run. This proved to be wrong. The first half of the course was slow and it was hard to find lift. Zeros had to be made the most of until about 35km from goal when good lift was found. About 30 pilots made it to goal with Konrad Heilmann making goal first in 1hr 11min. A great last day task.

Chris Lawry was the first Kiwi in, coming in 2^nd followed by Conrad Loten in 4^th place

John Durand Snr took out the overall winner

Nils Vesk in second place and Konrad Heilmann came 3^rd

Hagen was the highest scoring Kiwi coming 7^th followed by John in 10^th place, Chris Lawry 12^th, Conrad Loten 13^th.

Captian Flockheart’s final log entry: “Many Lessons were learnt and will hopefully be applied at the next Dalby Big Air”

Dalby Day 6 - April 17

Wind: NE flow 15 -20Kmh, 30kmh at boundary layer. 550ftm climbs Temp 30deg

Task: Dalby Airport to Flint, WSW 182Km.

As towing started, the skies above Dalby airport started to blue out. But with a 10km start circle which allowed pilots to find clouds around the perimeter of the airfield. Half an hour before the start the main gaggle was above the town of Dalby gaining good height.

As the start neared the cloud started to dissipate and only a few pilots managed to stay high for the start. The course out to the second forest crossing had good lift which allowed the pilots to stay within sight of each other. Pilots who were fast on this part of the course had good climbs over the second forest but those slightly behind found weak broken thermals just before and this slowed them down and spread out the field.

After crossing the second forest the sky had blued with only a few cumulus clouds and with high cloud moving in, things started to slow down. Good lift could be found to over 6000ft but at around 50Km from goal only light lift and slow climbs could be found and a few pilots started to land out.

If you were lucky enough to stay up, the ground started to give off heat and good climbs could be found. 15 pilots made it to goal, with John Smith arriving first.

Landing out was tough as there was no phone reception and no one in many of the homesteads. On the way back to Dalby well after dark many roo’s made driving back treacherous. We sighted a Brahma bull just before sunset at the side of the road that must have weighed well over 1000kg. Not something you would want to run into.

John Smith had a bad start but he pushed on fast under good clouds and caught up at first forest with the leaders. He went left of the course line at the second forest and getting in front of the group after the crossing.  Finding a  few clouds over 6000ft lift in blue and with high cloud moving in the group of three flew in zeros for half an hour preserving height until the sun came out again. Being the first to find lift, John had the jump on them 30km out and getting to 7000ft on a good climb and being 25km out from goal, John went for goal needing a 22:1 glide. Finding sink along the way he needed to stay in zeros. 10km short he found lift and then got a 12:1 glide and made it to goal on course line.

Captian Flockheart’s log: A search to windward should always be considered before heading off down wind.