Fantastic day yesterday. Allan and Mike, first and second for the day, and although Tobie had a not so good day yesterday he has won one day and is running third. Brendan is holding up his end and came in 12 yesterday. Allan and Mike first and second overall and Tobie third. Brendan a very credible 13 overall.
Keith and Graham displayed their engineering prowess and erected our super antenna. When you look around the camp area at all of the others our's is undoubtably the highest(there is one other).
Day four started some time ago. Truly an international competition with the A task planned to go up into Poland on a 434 km exercise. Task was changed due to late development of the weather and the B course is being flown. It is a 320 km inverse polygon and the troops have been out on task for some time and from the radio traffic they are having a blast. After a short period of silence both boys are coming in loud and clear and our Spot Share tracker is showing that they areon the way home and the chatter incicates one climb from final climb.
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Friday, August 7, 2009
Day Three Starts
Day three has started trouble free.
The day starts by rigging if necessary, the normal washing, polishing etc, and then towing out to the grid, by now on the grid by 08:30 /09:00. On the way it is a requirement to pass over a weighing station where glider ID, and reference weight is checked against the records. The gridding position is noted and the glider positioned appropriately.
Todays task is a race around a 312km polygon with three points. The start/finnish being halfway along one of the legs. All four pilots got away without too much trouble and are now approaching the final leg home.
The weather is probably the best since being here. After losing them on the radio for about 20 mins we are now starting to hear their chatter again, they can't be too far away.
The day starts by rigging if necessary, the normal washing, polishing etc, and then towing out to the grid, by now on the grid by 08:30 /09:00. On the way it is a requirement to pass over a weighing station where glider ID, and reference weight is checked against the records. The gridding position is noted and the glider positioned appropriately.
Todays task is a race around a 312km polygon with three points. The start/finnish being halfway along one of the legs. All four pilots got away without too much trouble and are now approaching the final leg home.
The weather is probably the best since being here. After losing them on the radio for about 20 mins we are now starting to hear their chatter again, they can't be too far away.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Crew Nightmares
Hi all, well Day 1 has come and gone - thankfully! The forecast had been for heavy rain throughout the task area later in the day, but in spite of this, a 1hr 45minute AAT task was set with 80km/hr required to achieve the minimum distance! We decided to aim for the minimum distance as 80kph looked optimistic for the sky. Our flight started well enough with Mike, Brendan and I a few seconds apart over the line, but one climb later we got separated by a cumulus which I went round and he went under. Flying separately felt strange after all this pair-flying, but fortunately all 3 of us linked up again after a few km. As we headed south it was clear that there was a massive rainstorm spreading from the east that could potentially cut off our return. We had to make a decision - to just touch the circle and head for home, or to keep flying downwind to a certain outlanding to maximise distance. We decided to go for distance, convinced that no-one could finish the task. A gaggle of 5 or 6 seemed to have the same idea and came with us. Finally, a few km from the far side of the circle, and with the rain pressing in from the east, we turned and headed back north. Unfortunately we were now being cramped by airspace to the west, and as the rain advanced we were finally forced to turn directly into the storm and go for a final glide into the rain. Mike chose a ploughed paddock; Brendan and I chose stubble - and we were down. Mike and I soon met up on foot in the rain and found a dilapidated railway station to shelter next to.
Unfortunately, Toby in Standard Class had also landed out, so we had 3 vehicles, 3 crew, and 4 outlanded pilots. By about 6pm Graham arrived for Mike's retrieve, but it wasn't possible to get the trailer to the glider because of the Darling Downs - style blacksoil. So with the help of a friendly local we carried the glider to the trailer, becoming absolutely filthy in the process. Then we got a call from Charlie who had gone for Toby - they were bogged in a paddock and could we help? So we all headed back towards Prievidza via Toby's paddock. In the end it took 7 of us - 3 crew and 4 pilots - at least an hour to get the glider out of the mud. We left exhausted at about 9pm, just as the last light was fading.
The plan for my glider was that as soon as we got back to Prievidza, we would go back for it. We were back at about 11pm, having hit a deer on the road (thanks Brendan for putting it out of its misery with the car jack). Everyone was ready for a meal by then, so after that Charlie very kindly offered to take the rest of the crew out to get my glider, and let me get a decent night's sleep. They headed off about midnight, and I headed gratefully to bed.
I think they finally arrived back about 5am after an uneventful if drowsy retrieve. The roads were relatively quiet. What a stupendous effort by the crew - who took a well-earned morning off to sleep.
We did quite well in the end scorewise, with me coming second, Mike 4th and Brendan 5th. The only problem is - the day was only worth 78 points!
In fact it now looks like the day will be invalidated since not enough people covered 100km.
Still there are plenty more days to fly, it's just a pity to try so hard and get no credit for it!
More news soon on Day 2...
Unfortunately, Toby in Standard Class had also landed out, so we had 3 vehicles, 3 crew, and 4 outlanded pilots. By about 6pm Graham arrived for Mike's retrieve, but it wasn't possible to get the trailer to the glider because of the Darling Downs - style blacksoil. So with the help of a friendly local we carried the glider to the trailer, becoming absolutely filthy in the process. Then we got a call from Charlie who had gone for Toby - they were bogged in a paddock and could we help? So we all headed back towards Prievidza via Toby's paddock. In the end it took 7 of us - 3 crew and 4 pilots - at least an hour to get the glider out of the mud. We left exhausted at about 9pm, just as the last light was fading.
The plan for my glider was that as soon as we got back to Prievidza, we would go back for it. We were back at about 11pm, having hit a deer on the road (thanks Brendan for putting it out of its misery with the car jack). Everyone was ready for a meal by then, so after that Charlie very kindly offered to take the rest of the crew out to get my glider, and let me get a decent night's sleep. They headed off about midnight, and I headed gratefully to bed.
I think they finally arrived back about 5am after an uneventful if drowsy retrieve. The roads were relatively quiet. What a stupendous effort by the crew - who took a well-earned morning off to sleep.
We did quite well in the end scorewise, with me coming second, Mike 4th and Brendan 5th. The only problem is - the day was only worth 78 points!
In fact it now looks like the day will be invalidated since not enough people covered 100km.
Still there are plenty more days to fly, it's just a pity to try so hard and get no credit for it!
More news soon on Day 2...
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Official Practise Day
We woke to a overcast day and proceeded to plan for the offical practise day. Today Graham and I rigged JT and proceeded to scrutineering prior to briefing. This was quite detailed compared to what I have been used to. Weighing in flying trim, wingspan measurement, pilot weight, photo of pilot, photo of instrument panel, weighing in tow-out trim and form to fill out.
Briefing was very short - day cancelled with probability of storms. The storm arrived prior to lunchtime, a lot of noise but not much else.
Post briefing was also time for the team "red roo" installations, a great team effort. Lunch was called and a trip to town to the baguette shop. In the afternoon TomTom maps weere installed and now we are PNA enabled. Brendan copped the short straw and an interview with the Slovakian national radio station.
Tonights official main briefing is delayed as the local Slovakian pilots are still arriving and have supposed to have been through technical inspections. They are not used to this and probably haven't read the requirements in the local rules, nothing strange here to an aussie pilot. (Tobi just nade the comment that the local rules are only published in English !)
Unofficial Practise Days
What a hectic and exhilirating couple of days. I have just about got the glider set up with just a failed cable to the team PDA to replace and we shall have JT ready to go.
The flying over the last 2 days has been something to remember, some big firsts for me, ridge running below ridge top is just awesome, spurs, trees, ski lifts just some of the things to watch out for. We punched into a lee-side thermal and just about got kicked out! The tight and rough thermal would produce better than 10 knots of lift if you could stay in for a turn and 10 knots of sink for the bit you missed. For all the excitement in real time, it came out as 5.1 knots on SeeYou.
In contrast the thermal conditions here are very different, the doesn't seem to be as large a pool of energy and so the thermals are more of a bubble, strong enough if you get the timing and position right but quite weak otherwise. Losing contact with the clouds is a big mistake and a very weak climb usually results so that you can stay airborne amongst the terrain.
Our pair flying is working well, Allan and I have stayed in contact and the gliders are reasonably matched. Allan's wing fillets are advantageous at low speed (thermalling). In what seems to be true form we had a pair outlanding 2 days ago in the same paddock of harvested wheat. I had a wheel door break off at the rivets with no damage to the door. Graham and Keith have done a great job in sourcing hinges and repairing the oops.
Yesterday was another challenge with the day forecast to end early (not 6pm as we are used to). Allan, Brendan and myself stayed together and made an out and return to the first circle of the set task. This used quite enough of the day as we launched a little later than planned and then I had trouble getting up to start height.
Around Team Dingo camp, things are settling in, we have been making lots of use of the restaurant and bar. The meals are very good and the portions large, as well the prices are good.
The flying over the last 2 days has been something to remember, some big firsts for me, ridge running below ridge top is just awesome, spurs, trees, ski lifts just some of the things to watch out for. We punched into a lee-side thermal and just about got kicked out! The tight and rough thermal would produce better than 10 knots of lift if you could stay in for a turn and 10 knots of sink for the bit you missed. For all the excitement in real time, it came out as 5.1 knots on SeeYou.
In contrast the thermal conditions here are very different, the doesn't seem to be as large a pool of energy and so the thermals are more of a bubble, strong enough if you get the timing and position right but quite weak otherwise. Losing contact with the clouds is a big mistake and a very weak climb usually results so that you can stay airborne amongst the terrain.
Our pair flying is working well, Allan and I have stayed in contact and the gliders are reasonably matched. Allan's wing fillets are advantageous at low speed (thermalling). In what seems to be true form we had a pair outlanding 2 days ago in the same paddock of harvested wheat. I had a wheel door break off at the rivets with no damage to the door. Graham and Keith have done a great job in sourcing hinges and repairing the oops.
Yesterday was another challenge with the day forecast to end early (not 6pm as we are used to). Allan, Brendan and myself stayed together and made an out and return to the first circle of the set task. This used quite enough of the day as we launched a little later than planned and then I had trouble getting up to start height.
Around Team Dingo camp, things are settling in, we have been making lots of use of the restaurant and bar. The meals are very good and the portions large, as well the prices are good.
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Where We Are
Now that Mike, Brendan and myself have settled in, a little about our location (the adventure boys arrive today, and Toby shortly). It seems to be a great location; the people are friendly and the city has modern facilities.
The airfield is an “all over” grass field, with excellent supporting facilities such as aircraft manufacture (Dynamic light aircraft), glider maintenance and club facilities (restaurant, bar and inside/outside dining). The airfield operates under professional administration and in accordance with CTAF-R procedures. Interestingly because the “runway” is so wide it is very common for aircraft/gliders to be taking off and landing in opposite directions at the same time.
Graham and Keith have just arrived having survived the great Siberian Safari (they have pictures) . Tobi has also arrived and is set up in the camping area next to Brendan and Allan. Everything is cosy with the Glider Park, trailer park and camp area set up along the runway edge. The same arrangement exists at Nitra about 80 km to the southwest. The whole operation is incredibly relaxed. You tow your glider out onto the runway and magically a tow plane will turn up in a minute or two and you,are on your way.
At the end of the day we all got to-gether and had a team dinner in the club restaurant. Enjoyed by all.
To-morrow is the first official practice day, and all are keen to get into the air, although Mike and Brendan have sampled the air a few times already
The airfield is an “all over” grass field, with excellent supporting facilities such as aircraft manufacture (Dynamic light aircraft), glider maintenance and club facilities (restaurant, bar and inside/outside dining). The airfield operates under professional administration and in accordance with CTAF-R procedures. Interestingly because the “runway” is so wide it is very common for aircraft/gliders to be taking off and landing in opposite directions at the same time.
Graham and Keith have just arrived having survived the great Siberian Safari (they have pictures) . Tobi has also arrived and is set up in the camping area next to Brendan and Allan. Everything is cosy with the Glider Park, trailer park and camp area set up along the runway edge. The same arrangement exists at Nitra about 80 km to the southwest. The whole operation is incredibly relaxed. You tow your glider out onto the runway and magically a tow plane will turn up in a minute or two and you,are on your way.
At the end of the day we all got to-gether and had a team dinner in the club restaurant. Enjoyed by all.
To-morrow is the first official practice day, and all are keen to get into the air, although Mike and Brendan have sampled the air a few times already
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)