Da-ja-vu

Today looks like yesterday, except it's Monday not Sunday.

Looks like the squiggly lines got it right yesterday...4-4500ft cloud bases, over-development and threatening TStorms. I didn't hear or see any thunder but we did get a small shower.

A local pilot driving an LS4 sent a summary through of the conditions yesterday. What can I say...harden up Maurice and fly straight. This isn't the "Flat country", or the big dry (yet), or the West Island...sorry Australia, here we always have contests in the week before the best conditions.

I see he landed out...does that mean he needs to get the under-carriage inspected by an engineer before he can fly GKM again????

Good luck all...I might get over Wed/Thur

Why are Merservice predicting TStorms today???

Have a look at the squiggly line graph for Sth Waikato late this afternoon. Low-ish cloud base, very high cloud tops (Cb's) and no inversion. So hot air will keep on rising and rising and rising (a bit like the free speech argument)...
TStorms are really hard to predict in NZ because of the incursion of sea breezes. Some where will get some rain...I hope it's us although hail would be a shambles.

The Regionals...

Doesn't look like a big contest this year. Not sure why. I guess with people being busy, Task week the week before, the Club class Nationals later on...who knows.

Practise Day. Only 3 glider went out to practise. From the GPS traces it looks like a small task with big circles....10kms around Flaxmill and 20kms around Arapuni.

Weather for Day 1 looks OK. Time will tell. I hope to get over later this week for a wee fly.

Bored with Convergences yet??

Here's Fridays track with an indication of the 2 convergence zones. Sea breeze air from both coasts plus a light SE air flow

Task Week Day 5 (Day 2 for me)

It took a while to get going. We had forecast overdevelopment during the late afternoon, but assumed things looked OK for an early start.
However, the only blue hole in the sky from 12 to 2pm was overhead the airfield. Frustration set in for an hour or so.
Two gliders headed off early, one made it back the other landed out and hit a fence. No major damage.
Finally it heated up enough around Waharoa/Matamta so we could get going.

Convergences were the story for the day. A big one that ran from Tirau down past Mangakino, as well as along the Kaimai's. Great fun.

The photo below is taken straight up from inside the cockpit. I was just running in under a huge Cu in the convergence with lots of curl over to contend with. 10 knots down for short while followed by 10 knots up...most excellent.

Here's that convergence...heading back towards Putaruru from Tokoroa.

Friday...start your engines...

Or at the very least, clean your wings, empty your pee bag, charge your batteries and make your way to Piako...I think it'll OK to venture out into the wild blue yonder.

Task week - Day 4

Sorry guys, I'm not over there today so the forecast is brief. Blue and challanging...or at least it looked that way last night...

A Record Looms...

I gather a debate was held regarding the merits, or otherwise, of Blog sites as they relate to the local gliding community. No doubt many wise things were discussed and I'm sure people were well informed...you know as distinct from thinking about stuff as they walked through the door for the meeting.

Since the actual blogsite owner wasn't consulted here is a few points to consider.

Firstly, I note with some amusement that lots of people who have an opinion also claim they don't, or haven't, read the blog. An interesting claim as the site tracks the audience...

Secondly, this month looks like being a record for the number of page reads...hits if you like. 95% of those are coming from inside NZ...(to be fair one should discount the hits from Russia). So some-one is reading it...many thanks to them and any advice would be welcome.

Thirdly, free speech is something I believe that we hold dear. You are, of course, free not the read this site...and I am allowed a point of view.

Fourth, the main aim was to provide weather forecasts when I can, and post photo's and track logs were possible. If I troll back through past posts about 95% of the content fits that objective.

So what's the problem??...I really do wonder. Expected normal service to resume...

Task Week - Day 3 (Day 1 for me)

The day turned out fairly much as forecast. Good to the south, bases upto 7000ft, not much wind, convergences all over the place.

Task was Matamta to Kuratau (bottom of Lake Taupo) to Reporoa and home. Both TP's had a 20km circles. I managed to get 3 km's into the bottom circle but ran out of day to do the Reporoa TP. So a 110km out and return.

Track and photo's below. The last photo shows the big blue hole from the lake breeze and the TP on the other side.

Wednesday...early prediction

Looks like a goody...reasonable thermals, little wind, sea breeze convergences, high-ish cloud bases (especially to the south), the only challange might be a bit of over-development and showers late afternoon. I think these will be confined to the hills and more in the Mamaku-Kaimai area. We'll see...

We got 22mm of rain last night. Quire a surprise really and no-one forecast it (including me). A brief heavy Thunder shower at 5pm followe by a clearance but at 2am the rain started again great stuff.

Task week Tuesday

Well it's raining here in Tauranga...has been for the last 4 hours. It's not looking good for the rest of the day. I suspect this rain will clear, followed by a burst of thermal activity, then over-development and showers. Metservice are also predicting TStorms in the Bay...maybe.

Wednesday looking better.


Too be fair. I'm happy with rain after a month or so of dry weather.

Monday morning update

The day dawns clear in Tauranga...although I can see some cloud on the Kaimai's.
Metservice are still sticking with there forecast of TStorms around the western BOP.
RASP forecasts have downgraded it's view of today...although it'll still be soarable. At this stage going south and west of Matamara looks by far the best option.

We will be dodging showers in the late afternoon I suspect.

At this stage I'm thinking Waharoa - Whakamaru - Te Kuiti - Home. with circles it's a 150-280kms task.

Day 1 of Task week.

At this early stage I'm picking either a really really strong day for Monday, or a wash-out. There is a SE change spreading up the country tomorrow afternoon and with it there might be some TStorms...just what we need.
However, in front of the front, is a pool of air that well generate strong thermals to 8000ft plus with thermals strenghts of 7-9 knots...whippee. BUT if the SE spreads in too fast it'll cut all that out...bugger.

So up dates in the morning folks...get you gliders ready...mine's in it's box outside the house.

And down in Omarama the weathers not good...judging by this fellows general demeanor...

Some one has been fiddling with the the Omarama webcam...

And the Dentist comes third...

Well done Adrain in the club class at the Sth Is Regional's...
I'll dig out more stuff tomorrow...the contest website is hard to find...

Task week starts Monday...and wouldn't you know it, the Kiwifruit indutsry throws a curve ball which will see me busy most of the week. Hope to get things started Monday morning...but that might be it.

Forecasts looks dodgy for at least Mon/Tues. More tomorrow.

They're at it again...

The pilots in the South Island Regional's...I mean.

This is what Spot can do...let the organsiers know where everyone is...

This part of gliding we seem to be excelling at...

http://www.odt.co.nz/news/queenstown-lakes/136869/injured-glider-pilot-airlifted-hospital

Looks like Timaru Creek...

Very thankfully the pilot only broke his foot. If you look at the photo embedded in the ODT article it's not hard to see why...

What does a CFI do when he's not drilling teeth...

Why enter a contest in a concrete swan (Twin astir) of course...and not locally but in Omarama. I'm only envious...flying anything in Omarama is preferable to pottering around here. It would appear he and his passenger/learner pilot landed out... hopefully not at my mates place...Omarama Station. Third for the day...well done. But don't take my word for it   -    http://glidingcomps.42.net.nz/sireg2010/

A convergence...of technology...

Separate bits of tech are coming together. GPS, data logger, Flarm, transponder, collision avoidance, and terrain warning. PowerFlarm is about to release the latest gadget with incorporates all these functions into one handy instrument and that uses less power than a gliding committee meeting. It will cost more than getting a newsletter re-printed...but maybe not much more.

The instrument builds on the Flarm technology of providing proximity information on any gliders close-by (assuming they have a Flarm and it's turned on). Apparently 14,000 of these units have been sold to date...although that's no guarantee that they are turned on. They have proved far more popular in the South Island primarily because one pilot has been very vocal about the perceived safety benefits. In the North Island I'm aware of only one Flarm installed but hopefully that stops him from colliding with himself...something I do often.

It also detects any aircraft operating a transponder on Mode C or S. As well it will pick up on ground radar stations interrogating GA transponders.

For an annual fee apparently it will warn you of power lines, ski lifts, transmission towers, and the fence at the end of the runway (wishful thinking). I'm always running the risk of hitting all those ski lifts.

A GPS and an igc logger. Great idea as a back-up to the normal logger. Also the GPS can be used as a data stream source for add-ons...SeeYou Mobile, Oudie etc.

Due for release in April 2011...although they are encouraging you to buy now before the price goes down...yes you read that right...

But rather listen to me rattle on go to Paul Remde's excellent site http://www.cumulus-soaring.com/flarm.htm or follow the link  www.gliderpilot.org/FLARM

Cool eh...

A so so day...

A very quiet day. Despite the sun and light westerlies hardly any club members came out to fly...enthusiasm???
It felt pretty lonely being the only one trying to push across the Kaimai's.

Typically, a long tow to 4000ft was followed by a grudging descent to 2500ft followed by the normal slow battle to get back up high enough to safely cross over. Winds were 18-20 knots, 240-250 degrees...ideal ridge/wave stuff. However the sheet of grey cloud in the Waikato wasn't very inviting. The second the air crossed the Kaimai's it descended and dried out...hence blue and warm on the BOP of the hills. The best wave was behind the waterfall, unusually, whereas behind the high point it was confused and broken, as were the thermals.

240 kms, although to be fair, ridge tasks or distances aren't much of a test of skill. The only glider I saw all day was GVM. We spent 10 minutes beating up...sorry - ridge flying at low level trying to gain height...the lookout carpark waiting for a fellow club member to turn-up. He forgot to stop...no wonder he is a life member.

Wave over katikati...it looked better than it really was...

The Swamp...what a bland and bleak landscape...funny how it puts out strong thermals.

I ran into the hang-glider brigade pottering along the Kaimai's. I'm guessing they launched from the Quarry at the Radar Dome and flew down to Te Aroha and back.

Do forecasts work??

 

You better believe it...this was spotted by the hang gliding crowd. RASP forecast boundary level cloud for last Monday and the appropriate sat photo.

Also...what does a Duo Turbo motor look like on start up and stop???
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ENFsGZIFvXQ&feature=related
(courtesy of Rebelsoarer)
and

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bxKbjqXBrc8&feature=related

Who said we could learn something in advance....

Weekend Weather

It's not looking crash hot. Light westerlies with a northerly flavour...with showers and low cloud developing during Sunday.
Time to read the Duo XLT manual that one member e-mailed around.
Despite a view that we can't do any training, preparation or planning before the "big beastie" arrives maybe the Manual is a good place to start.
Do you know what VNE is?
Or rough airspeed?
Flight limitations with water or engine in or out?
Max load?
Min or max wing loading?
Max or min speeds to extend, start, run or retract the motor?
Did you it had a motor?

Etc etc etc. Ho hum...

Wednesday's Weather

Weak to moderate thermals, Convergence's along the Kaimai's, parallel to the coast and across the high country between Tga and Mamaku. Cloud bases not that high - 3500ft over Tga upto 5000ft inland. Risk of over-development associated with the convergences and high cloud bases. Some showers behind Tga and Rotorua. Time to go on gardening leave - garden art festival that is...

Finally a debate, and some belated thoughts about the Supership...

Penny has dropped, the great big piece of fibre-glass is due sometime soon. So while various important people rushed about ordering things, buying money, and so on (all good stuff I'm sure) - little thought appears to have been given to "what to do when it actually arrives...".

One member (who's not actively involved) got off their bum and found a electronic version of the Aircraft Manual for propective pilots to read...should have been done months ago.

By now we probably should have helped people understand how the Nav instruments work...given that the general membership had little say in what will be installed. How many people know how to use SeeYou mobile??? How many pilots know it's limitations...even less I'd wager. Examples??? On Sunday two pilots using SeeYou (and who I think are quite skilled) entered the wrong airfield as Home...(but I will fix that guys).

Roster...God I'm not even going to enter that debate...suffice to say nothing seems to be organised yet and any pilots meeting between now and late Jan will struggle to get attendee's, what with Xmas, Omarama, Club class Nationals etc etc.

Charge out rate...I see a few people are trying to have this debate...although I see the immediate response from one important person has been - "I didn't realise you were setting the rules now Roy??"...well that's helpful...yeah right..

Ratings...hmmm...I'm lead to believe that only 2 members have a rating...actually to be strictly correct that's wrong. They have a rating on the older version of the Duo which has no landing flaps, changed weight limitations, changed cockpit and landing gear layout, changed wing plan, etc. I suspect that everyone in the club who has a Janus rating (and a bit of time clocked up...say 10 hours PIC Janus) will have the equivalent experience as would any time on the old Duo. Heavens I have 40-50 hours Duo PIC...I suspect the real issue is the ability of people to land-out. A 20 meter span into a small paddock will be intimidating.

As for the turbo bit...well if a pilot has no intention of using it why do they need a rating?? Most of our pilots don't have a water, aerobatic, competition finish, or unlimited X-country rating but fly gliders capable of these things.

Some clarity of thought is required...and quickly.

As for the potential to use the glider for a membership drive???? I have no idea what's happening on this front...some-one please tell me... I have been told repeatedly that club enthusiasm is high...this might be true but the last 3 days I turned up to fly (sunny days weekend days) very little activity has been going on. On one day no-one turned up...

Something bad might happen...maybe

Save the Duo...STD

Please support the move to save the Duo....
It has been long recognised that the flying of gliders causes accumulated damage and their eventual destruction. The recent demise of the beloved and cherished Blanik is a graphic illustration of this very issue. Had the deluded people of various western glider clubs nurtured they Blaniks and kept them well housed at ALL times they would still have these wonderful examples of communist flying bricks to admire.

Let's not repeat the same sad and wanton waste of a new Duo Discus.
Save The Discus (STD) Support Group are promoting a higher level of pilot requirements to help preserve our $250,000 investment.
Only pilots with 3 Diamonds may be allowed to touch or rig the glider. Only those members who are or have served on the GNZ Exec may fill it with water. Any pilots who have won a World Class gliding event will be allowed to apply for flying rights on the strict understanding that at no time may the motor be used. STD are keen to preserve the original petrol if it's unaltered state.

Only Trial flights should be allowed, X-country training should be strictly prohibited.

Please support this worthy cause. Please stop any training material circulating through the club. Stop the issuing of any ratings. Stop any further development of rules, procedures or guidelines for the use of the Duo...don't trust the fact that no work appears to be happening at present...this is only a ruse...the secret squirrels are working behind closed doors to further the unfetted damage to our Duo...

You have been warned...take action now...or should that be take no action now????

So it wasn't a 300km day...

We still had fun but it was a bit blue in places and soggy in others. Little chance to get up to the swamp first thing and there was a big gap around Tokoroa. Excellent over the higher ground west of Rotorua and about Mamaku. Photo's and tracks for GNM and GKM below.

Big convergence along the eastern side of the Kaimai's.

300 km day

Judging from the forecast it's a 300km day. Planning to go only slightly North to the Swamp (it'll go blue in the Waikato and bases will be lower), then south to Mangakino and beyond. Good bases and cloud development around the high country. Might be a bit of overdevelopment like yesterday afternoon.

And let's hope Airways give us some airspace....

The milk price has gone up...yipee

It still doesn't match the dosh that flows to drug dealers...sorry pharmacists, or teeth pullers...whoops dentists, but it's getting better by the day. I digress...the weather, the whether or the wether, or not.

Saturday. OK. It'll be a late start as we wait for things to dry out and the wind to drop. Bases of 4-5000ft inland. Probably a day to head over to the ridge and crusie down past Tokoroa. The wind will go more and more southerly during the afternoon but the thernals should get you home. If you can get to the ridge early enough I'd task up to the swamp (should work well) and then back down to Tokoroa via the kaimai's

My pick is Sunday. More heating and less wind. Could be a day to loop the Lake...and I'm talking about Taupo not Rotorua. Squiggly lines are forecasting cloud bases of 7000ft inland from Tauranga and much higher south and west of here. Have a look at the convergence picture. A good energy lines from the afternoon sea breeze around the coast and a good lake breeze.

Cloud Streets

Medium SE wind. Out of shot to the left was a minor Sea Breeze convergence.

Thermals as far as the eye could see...

This panorama shot was taken on the Tauramanui to Kuratau Road on Wednesday. It stretches from Lake Taupo, which was to the NE of where I was standing, right around to the SW where Egmont would have been if it was clearer.
Whilst the cloud base on the photo looks low it was 7-8000ft and going off big time. It was a Tauranga to Tauramanui day...
Double click on the photo for a better look...

Shall we try again??

Despite over calling Labour Weekend and, as a result over-stimulating some pilots, I'm willing to have another go...this weekend will provide some gliding. In fact plenty of gliding especially on Sunday...there I've said it now - but why???

Saturday sees a departing front, which won't bring much rain but a new airmass, as well as light-ish southerlies. All the stars will be aligned for Sunday when the wind drops and we get more heating.

At this stage it looks like 7-8000ft cloud bases inland. So plan a 300km out and return Tga - Tauramanui -Tga.
A real man's task...not some nam-be, pam-be, big girls blouse, pinko PC loving, safety conscious, POST task like I see they are doing in Taupo....

PS I'll probably go to Tokoroa and chicken out...no motor and all that....