to facebook...it's easier...for me anyhow.
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Tuesday, December 30, 2014
Tuesday, December 23, 2014
Finally, finally, finally....
After all the talk I finally got in GVR and went flying.
The day wasn't as blue as forecast, but neither were the thermals as strong or as structured as forecast.
Across the Kaimai's, down to Ohaaki Power station, time to watch GKM land-out near Taupo, home again (as I was the retrieve crew for GKM)...hook up trailer...drive 2 hours, find pilot in very large crop paddock...etc etc.
Home in time for pizza and tea.
The day wasn't as blue as forecast, but neither were the thermals as strong or as structured as forecast.
Across the Kaimai's, down to Ohaaki Power station, time to watch GKM land-out near Taupo, home again (as I was the retrieve crew for GKM)...hook up trailer...drive 2 hours, find pilot in very large crop paddock...etc etc.
Home in time for pizza and tea.
Sunday, November 23, 2014
LX S80/Flarm
Finally got the S80, Flarm and Flarm57 installed in the Duo - GYL.
What a great piece of kit. We must rip the old Cambridge GPS-Nav out...it's current use is to fill in an empty hole in the panel.
The vario is as good as the V7 I had installed in GNM plus with heaps of extras.
It's very very readable in all light conditions...and given my slowly receding reading range (not hair line) it should out last my gliding career.
It had detected the wind speed and direction by 600ft on tow...I was a bit sceptical given we were on-tow however it was right on the mark. That was a surprise.
The S80 holds Turn-points and airspace, plus can be used to task. I could enter a task while flying at 100 knots bumping about in ridge lift.
Couldn't test the Flarm as no one else was flying. It's a power flarm so should detect ADS-B in powered aircraft as well...albeit powered traffic is usually of academic interest.
It did re-enforce how lonely it was out there yesterday with only a PW6 to beat up.
What a great piece of kit. We must rip the old Cambridge GPS-Nav out...it's current use is to fill in an empty hole in the panel.
The vario is as good as the V7 I had installed in GNM plus with heaps of extras.
It's very very readable in all light conditions...and given my slowly receding reading range (not hair line) it should out last my gliding career.
It had detected the wind speed and direction by 600ft on tow...I was a bit sceptical given we were on-tow however it was right on the mark. That was a surprise.
The S80 holds Turn-points and airspace, plus can be used to task. I could enter a task while flying at 100 knots bumping about in ridge lift.
Couldn't test the Flarm as no one else was flying. It's a power flarm so should detect ADS-B in powered aircraft as well...albeit powered traffic is usually of academic interest.
It did re-enforce how lonely it was out there yesterday with only a PW6 to beat up.
Bog standard ridge day.
Saturday, November 15, 2014
This and that.
It seems I'm migrating off blogs and onto Facebook. Even through I vowed I wouldn't...
However while I'm here;
I see Piako Tim is having fun in Omarama in GXP. Today was practise day for the Sth Is Regionals and it appears only 4 or so gliders took to the air.
Tauranga's Duo is in Oma as well. The one shot I have received so far would suggest lots of wave days.
Rant Alert. However you would little idea what's happening down there!!! For some reason (or words like stubborn, resentful, obstinate, recalcitrant) Sth Is contest news and results are posted on an obscure website usually only known after the contest has finished. Get with the program.
Despite numerous requests, a Nationals CD contest report that specifically pointed out the need to upload to Soaring Spot, and a directive from the SRC, access to the results is by secret handshake.
Perhaps the post is still delivered by pigeon.
Onto to more positive events. Taupo...which you can view on Soaring Spot...well done Robbie... http://www.soaringspot.com/cpnz2014/
Was fun however the weather intervened somewhat. Snow on the mountains, hail, rain etc.
Team Tauranga did OK. Our greatest success was scrapping away from hillsides, forestry blocks, paddocks, valley's and the like.
The JS1 flotilla is almost here. Ironically they arrived at the Port of Tga only to be trucked to Auckland, to be later delivered to Drury, and to be followed by being towed back to Tauranga. Go figure. Haven't quite formed a plan for this summer. Cancelled a trip to Omarama as Jan got filled by other stuff. Looks like I will only get one day at the North Island regionals (work...my choice I guess) so I'm planning a couple of days in Taupo between Xmas and New Year. A house full of in-laws is a great motivator.
However while I'm here;
I see Piako Tim is having fun in Omarama in GXP. Today was practise day for the Sth Is Regionals and it appears only 4 or so gliders took to the air.
This looks suspiciously like a wave flight with T/P's in the Omarama Saddle and Tin Shed
Tauranga's Duo is in Oma as well. The one shot I have received so far would suggest lots of wave days.
Rant Alert. However you would little idea what's happening down there!!! For some reason (or words like stubborn, resentful, obstinate, recalcitrant) Sth Is contest news and results are posted on an obscure website usually only known after the contest has finished. Get with the program.
Despite numerous requests, a Nationals CD contest report that specifically pointed out the need to upload to Soaring Spot, and a directive from the SRC, access to the results is by secret handshake.
Perhaps the post is still delivered by pigeon.
Onto to more positive events. Taupo...which you can view on Soaring Spot...well done Robbie... http://www.soaringspot.com/cpnz2014/
Was fun however the weather intervened somewhat. Snow on the mountains, hail, rain etc.
Team Tauranga did OK. Our greatest success was scrapping away from hillsides, forestry blocks, paddocks, valley's and the like.
Tihoi...I think.
Looking towards a better sky
See that white dot...the other Duo
Karl Barrie...who flew really well on the last day.
The JS1 flotilla is almost here. Ironically they arrived at the Port of Tga only to be trucked to Auckland, to be later delivered to Drury, and to be followed by being towed back to Tauranga. Go figure. Haven't quite formed a plan for this summer. Cancelled a trip to Omarama as Jan got filled by other stuff. Looks like I will only get one day at the North Island regionals (work...my choice I guess) so I'm planning a couple of days in Taupo between Xmas and New Year. A house full of in-laws is a great motivator.
Sunday, October 26, 2014
Super Saturday!!!...nah, not really.
The RASP was tempting...possible thermals upto 7000ft all the way down past Taupo.
So time to drag GYL out of the hanger...with the help of one of the syndicate partners.
Arrived at Matamata to find heaps of other gliders being rigged and cleaned. Auckland Aviation Sports had arrived, as well as some other itinerate pilots.
Got a chance to sneak a look inside Glyn's new Ventus GVV. Nice piece of kit...we should now expect big things of this lad...no pressure.
The Duo, on the other hand, has a few instrument problems. No back seat flight computer or vario, and no flight log to upload to the OLC. Unfortunately for me I prefer to fly GYL from the backseat. We are currently holding things together with duck tape (so to speak) until the new LX S80, Power Flarm and screens arrive. We have been waiting a while.
However launch we did...3 knots off tow to 5000ft and away to Morrinsville and the Swamp. Sadly north of the swamp was blue, very blue, so blue it was almost violet. Oh well lets go south....
After a good climb on the Cambridge Hills we set off into deep space...nothing, nada, zippo etc etc.
Push on I said to my partner...something must happen...and it did, we ended up struggling away from over an airstrip. OK that didn't work...but I still want to go somewhere...
The remaining gliding gadget suggested perhaps, maybe, possibility the wind was building from the west. 2 knots at 235 degrees...yeah the ridge will work at that strength...so away we went.
And as sure as Dolly Parton only sleeps on her back...the ridge sorta worked.
Only problem was fighting ridge induced thermals in close to the rocks/trees made my passenger airsick.
Time to go home. However whilst we were aloft we could hear A Cable crowing about huge thermals south of Rotorua...strangely I though I could hear his engine running, and Maurice asking about airstrips east of Galatea, and the Drury boys stuck at Huntly.
So bugger the RASP next time I'll just stick to the tried and true method of forecasting at 6pm rather than 6am.
So time to drag GYL out of the hanger...with the help of one of the syndicate partners.
Arrived at Matamata to find heaps of other gliders being rigged and cleaned. Auckland Aviation Sports had arrived, as well as some other itinerate pilots.
Got a chance to sneak a look inside Glyn's new Ventus GVV. Nice piece of kit...we should now expect big things of this lad...no pressure.
The Duo, on the other hand, has a few instrument problems. No back seat flight computer or vario, and no flight log to upload to the OLC. Unfortunately for me I prefer to fly GYL from the backseat. We are currently holding things together with duck tape (so to speak) until the new LX S80, Power Flarm and screens arrive. We have been waiting a while.
However launch we did...3 knots off tow to 5000ft and away to Morrinsville and the Swamp. Sadly north of the swamp was blue, very blue, so blue it was almost violet. Oh well lets go south....
After a good climb on the Cambridge Hills we set off into deep space...nothing, nada, zippo etc etc.
Push on I said to my partner...something must happen...and it did, we ended up struggling away from over an airstrip. OK that didn't work...but I still want to go somewhere...
The remaining gliding gadget suggested perhaps, maybe, possibility the wind was building from the west. 2 knots at 235 degrees...yeah the ridge will work at that strength...so away we went.
And as sure as Dolly Parton only sleeps on her back...the ridge sorta worked.
Only problem was fighting ridge induced thermals in close to the rocks/trees made my passenger airsick.
Time to go home. However whilst we were aloft we could hear A Cable crowing about huge thermals south of Rotorua...strangely I though I could hear his engine running, and Maurice asking about airstrips east of Galatea, and the Drury boys stuck at Huntly.
So bugger the RASP next time I'll just stick to the tried and true method of forecasting at 6pm rather than 6am.
A slight tinge of violet.
The only clouds in the sky...and a nice halo around my fellow pilot.
A selfie...if Obama can do it, so can I.
Sunday, September 7, 2014
Re-Training...
With the season approaching I need to get my weather forecasting skills back up and running.
I think its important to put your forecast on record and then review at the days end. Too often we hear "well I always thought it was going to be crap" at 5pm...what use is that!
So Sunday.
By 2pm things look quite good. Light winds from the South and 18 degrees forecast on the ground. We should see 4-5 knots climbs.
However with recent rain and light winds plus no inversion in the red line I'm guessing over-development will be the focus of the afternoon.
Go early and go fast and watch you can get home.
Update - it was a good day however, no over development...which I'm guessing was due to the wind being slightly stronger than I predicted...or else I'm a crap forecaster.
Lots of locals went flying. The flight of the day goes to PW5 driver...excellent effort.
Me...well I thought I'd help out with an ATC camp.
I think its important to put your forecast on record and then review at the days end. Too often we hear "well I always thought it was going to be crap" at 5pm...what use is that!
So Sunday.
By 2pm things look quite good. Light winds from the South and 18 degrees forecast on the ground. We should see 4-5 knots climbs.
And from the squiggly lines we can see 5500ft bases and no high cloud.
However with recent rain and light winds plus no inversion in the red line I'm guessing over-development will be the focus of the afternoon.
Go early and go fast and watch you can get home.
Update - it was a good day however, no over development...which I'm guessing was due to the wind being slightly stronger than I predicted...or else I'm a crap forecaster.
Lots of locals went flying. The flight of the day goes to PW5 driver...excellent effort.
Me...well I thought I'd help out with an ATC camp.
Thursday, September 4, 2014
Saturday, August 2, 2014
GVR in Poland
Who's this cleaning my glider in Poland. She doesn't appear to be completely focused on the task...
But then again this chap looks slightly distracted as well...
In Poland a tow charge includes a complimentary umbrella holder as well..
Thursday, June 19, 2014
A sign of things to come...
Management of our runway comes to mind...
And airspace, and trial flights, and..., and... etc.
Friday, June 13, 2014
Kiwis in a flat land
Team Kiwi is about to goose-step into Poland.
Follow it on Brett's blog site -
lesznowgc.blogspot.com
We look forward to a Larry Ellison moment.
Follow it on Brett's blog site -
lesznowgc.blogspot.com
We look forward to a Larry Ellison moment.
Sunday, April 27, 2014
As you might have guessed...
I'm not updating this blog at present.
In fact I don't plan on getting going again until next summer.
Why next summer??
Because, in no particular order;
My JS1 gets back from Poland in Oct/Nov...assuming WW3 doesn't brake out in the Ukraine.
As of today, Russia has annexed the Crimea (no surprises here...), the Europeans and US turned off Russia's access to external capital - a bit like the US turning off Japan's access to oil in 1940...that worked really well...not, pro-Russian thugs are baiting the government in Kiev and Russia is looking for an excuse to defend the local Russian speaking population - like Hitler did in Europe in the run up to WW2, and then the final straw is US depositing troops in Ukraine and Poland...history...we never learn do we...
I'm likely to head down to Omarama this summer...either with the Duo, or a JS1, or both. Not sure yet. Not planning on flying the Nationals as it tends to restrict your flying. Maybe the Club class Nationals in Drury if I can find a Club class glider.
I'm in NZ this summer...rather than freezing my butt off in Canada. Great place, great skiing, but bloody hell its cold.
See ya on the other side of winter...
In fact I don't plan on getting going again until next summer.
Why next summer??
Because, in no particular order;
My JS1 gets back from Poland in Oct/Nov...assuming WW3 doesn't brake out in the Ukraine.
As of today, Russia has annexed the Crimea (no surprises here...), the Europeans and US turned off Russia's access to external capital - a bit like the US turning off Japan's access to oil in 1940...that worked really well...not, pro-Russian thugs are baiting the government in Kiev and Russia is looking for an excuse to defend the local Russian speaking population - like Hitler did in Europe in the run up to WW2, and then the final straw is US depositing troops in Ukraine and Poland...history...we never learn do we...
I'm likely to head down to Omarama this summer...either with the Duo, or a JS1, or both. Not sure yet. Not planning on flying the Nationals as it tends to restrict your flying. Maybe the Club class Nationals in Drury if I can find a Club class glider.
I'm in NZ this summer...rather than freezing my butt off in Canada. Great place, great skiing, but bloody hell its cold.
See ya on the other side of winter...
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