Blogs
Adamsfontein to Petrusville and return
Written by Dominic
Adamsfontein to Petrusville and return (30 December 2011)2011 turned out to be even busier than usual, resulting in too little time spent on my favourite pastime. Since obtaining my GPL (Touring Motor Glider) in 2008 and since owning a share in a Lambada TMG I have spent relatively little time in the clubs’ single Astir. I love pure gliding and switch off the built in thermal whenever I can. I really enjoy the versatility of the Lambada and have found it performs very well as a TMG and tug and reasonably well as a glider. From a pure gliding point of view I still needed to complete a solo cross country flight. The Eastern Province Gliding Club is based in Uitenhage, just inland from Port Elizabeth, and the cross country aspect of the gliding syllabus is typically done on camps further inland. I was determined to complete this long overdue cross country flight during the December holidays.
I came to hear about Peter How and the Adamsfontein Gliding Club from a fellow glider pilot. It is relatively nearby and apparently offered great gliding conditions. Peter is extremely friendly and clearly very knowledgeable; I waited for a promising weather window and confirmed this with him before departure. I decided against taking the Astir and instead chose to further explore the gliding capabilities of the Lambada. On Thursday 29 December 2011 I flew the 360 km from Uitenhage to Adamsfontein in 2 hours 15 mins. The field was easy to find situated on the southern bank of the Orange River, between Gariep and Colesburg. The runways were wide and smooth and Peter and his wife Frannie were there to extend a warm welcome. Looking Back at Rieti 2008
Written by Andrew
Hindsight - An exact science!
I am going to give a report back on how things went and what in my opinion can be done and should have been etc. I know hindsight is an exact science, but it is from stuff like this that we learn and improve ourselves.
Flying in Rieti was truly amazing and very different to anything else I have done in the past in terms of gliding. I was not expecting it to be anything else, but I had no idea how different it was until first launch.
Rieti WGC - 18th Cancelled
Written by Administrator
Report by: Janine
As you know by now, yesterday was a no fly day. It was a good call. We took a drive up Terminillo and the heavens opened. We originally thought it was only on the mountain but when we drove down the whole place was wet.
Rieti WGC - Day 10 Flying Report
Written by Administrator
Report by: Janine (Day 11)
Let’s see if I can get the pilot to type something up… Andrew and Conrad are in discussion about today’s task…
Nope, they are still busy.
Well, yesterday was an interesting day. We were sitting in the restaurant, having a cup of coffee at 12:10 because everyone was under the impression that they weren’t going to fly. The announcement over the PA system revealed that the first launch would take place at 12:30 – action stations! Andrew had his best day to date. It’s really nice for the crew when their pilot lands with a big smile on his face and says “I really enjoyed that flight.”
Rieti WGC - Day 9 Flying Report
Written by Administrator
Report by: Andrew
Yesterday was very interesting!!! North wind in this place is very tricky as Dick Bradley pointed out from previous experience.
Conrad and I worked on some strategy and all went according to plan until I lost sight of the leading gaggle after turnpoint 1. The plan was to leave a bit later than the rest and catch up at turn 1 where the critical decision point was and follow them through the tough stuff and then to pass on final glide. I caught up at least 10 minutes into turn 1 and then with the sun in the wrong place I lost sight of the gaggle and was on my own. Got stuck twice but managed to get around.
Rieti WGC - Day 9
Written by Administrator
Report by: Janine
After much delay and a touch of indecision, the planes were eventually launched and Andrew started his task a while ago.
Yesterday was a really tough day – it was mostly blue skies. There were many outlandings yesterday but once again 67’s crew was lucky and the bird came home.
Rieti WGC - Day 8
Written by Administrator
Report by: Janine
Well, how did you like RSA’s performance yesterday? I thought that was pretty cool!
Today the weather seems to be more favourable for ‘flat country/thermal’ pilots. The wind is from the north and the ridges and the mountains aren’t working. However, it is looking pretty blue from where I am sitting. There are a few puffs of cumulus so the thermals are out there. I think finding them will be the trick though.
Rieti WGC - Day 7
Written by Administrator
Report by: Janine
A quick one because the laptop's battery is about to fizzle and die!
Rest day was good - after saying Auf Wiedersehen to Sabine at the bus station, we drove down south and went to the Sabina olive oil boutique. Sabine and Conrad had been there previously and highly recommended it. So Conrad patiently played taxi and tourist guide and took us to go and have a look and a taste too. Put it this way, olive oil will never again be just olive oil.
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