Thursday, 26 February 2009
Wednesday, 25 February 2009
Tuesday, 24 February 2009
Monday, 23 February 2009
Flightlog 22-Feb-2009
Forecast was for onshore breezes.
I had the kids down at Bar Beach and watched while 3 hangies forlornly scratched at Strezzie in nary a puff.
A couple of punters made an appearance but not for long - I think they headed across to Newcastle Beach.
Lisa arrived at the beach about 1:30 to take over from me in baby sitting duties so I headed on up to launch, conditions having picked up a bit by this stage.
The breeze was a bit cross but strengthening. Adam Parer was waiting for a tandem customer and told me how a punter had fluffed his launch and hit the fence, bobbled over it and eventually took off from the adjacent bit of land next to launch (the same way I had done back in 2001!!).
After Adam launched I got ready. I was flying my recently purchased (but not yet paid for...) Edel Live - Rossco's glider. At 93.5kg I'm at the top of the weight range but its practically brand new and still very crispy.
Heeding Adam's recounting of the punter hitting the fence I made sure I had a secure and stable wall before popping the glider up.
The breeze was of a fair strength and consistency and by the time I turned to face the sea I was starting my ascent.
Got away nicely and got some height over the fort at KEP. I made a few passes sticking mainly to the northern end of the ridge as the downwind leg was very swift. The glider penetrated well back into th ewind, however. I tried a wingovery thing in front of launch and nearly brought up my lunch! The glider is way more twitchy than the Confidence - the higher wing loading must be the main contributing factor but it was a hoot. Rossco used to complain about pilot oscillations and this was a evident but due to his harness settings with his chest strap being set fairly wide. The glider is a lot more lively than mine in general.
After about 30 minutes I headed over to Watt St to take advantage of the more easterly aspect of the wind direction. Got a bunch of height over the bowl near the old bowling club. I made a few passes along the ridge there - and waved to Lisa and the kids who had driven up to see me. The glider was performing well - it turns on a dime - very handy for tighter situations.
I noticed that the breeze was picking up - wind lines were apparent on the water so I headed out over the rock shelf to lose some height. I had considered top landing but with a new glider and stronger conditions I thought better of it and ended up landing on the beach.
All up about an hour's flying. I think that the purchase of Rossco's glider was a good idea - I've now got 2 gliders for different conditions. The big fat Confidence for inland and the Live for fun coastal flying.
I had the kids down at Bar Beach and watched while 3 hangies forlornly scratched at Strezzie in nary a puff.
A couple of punters made an appearance but not for long - I think they headed across to Newcastle Beach.
Lisa arrived at the beach about 1:30 to take over from me in baby sitting duties so I headed on up to launch, conditions having picked up a bit by this stage.
The breeze was a bit cross but strengthening. Adam Parer was waiting for a tandem customer and told me how a punter had fluffed his launch and hit the fence, bobbled over it and eventually took off from the adjacent bit of land next to launch (the same way I had done back in 2001!!).
After Adam launched I got ready. I was flying my recently purchased (but not yet paid for...) Edel Live - Rossco's glider. At 93.5kg I'm at the top of the weight range but its practically brand new and still very crispy.
Heeding Adam's recounting of the punter hitting the fence I made sure I had a secure and stable wall before popping the glider up.
The breeze was of a fair strength and consistency and by the time I turned to face the sea I was starting my ascent.
Got away nicely and got some height over the fort at KEP. I made a few passes sticking mainly to the northern end of the ridge as the downwind leg was very swift. The glider penetrated well back into th ewind, however. I tried a wingovery thing in front of launch and nearly brought up my lunch! The glider is way more twitchy than the Confidence - the higher wing loading must be the main contributing factor but it was a hoot. Rossco used to complain about pilot oscillations and this was a evident but due to his harness settings with his chest strap being set fairly wide. The glider is a lot more lively than mine in general.
After about 30 minutes I headed over to Watt St to take advantage of the more easterly aspect of the wind direction. Got a bunch of height over the bowl near the old bowling club. I made a few passes along the ridge there - and waved to Lisa and the kids who had driven up to see me. The glider was performing well - it turns on a dime - very handy for tighter situations.
I noticed that the breeze was picking up - wind lines were apparent on the water so I headed out over the rock shelf to lose some height. I had considered top landing but with a new glider and stronger conditions I thought better of it and ended up landing on the beach.
All up about an hour's flying. I think that the purchase of Rossco's glider was a good idea - I've now got 2 gliders for different conditions. The big fat Confidence for inland and the Live for fun coastal flying.
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