There’s a new issue of the club newsletter available here (PDF, 127 kB). Annual General Meeting report, coming events such as “Everything Aeronautical” and a working bee, and some more club history.
The Adelaide Uni gliding club invited WGC members to come on its annual Flinders Ranges camp to Rawnsley Park, near Wilpena Pound, over the June long weekend. Our tug was also invited, and I was asked to fly it. I didn’t have to think about it for long…
I had a good trip, although the weather wasn’t great for gliding. No big surprises (okay, maybe the wind farm, but that’s another story.) The tug went well, and the AUGC gliders flew as required.
For the first time, I had a tailwind while ferrying the Pawnee up there on Friday. I phoned the local scenic pilot in the morning, and he said the cloudbase was only a few hundred feet above ground, sitting on nearby hills, and “there’s no way you’d get in”. But the forecast said things were improving, so we went in the afternoon. Richard Geytenbeek left at the same time in the Dimona, but he cruises a couple of knots faster so I didn’t see much of him en route.
After negotiating the ranges north of Burra and low cloudbases everywhere, we refuelled at Jamestown (that’s a nice setup) and made it to Rawnsley before 5pm.
Saturday morning, more people and gliders appeared, and the Motorfalke and Dimona got busy with site checks. Cloudbase was above the hills (mostly) but there wasn’t much sign of lift. After a while a couple of single seaters launched and spent an hour or two in light ridge lift on the eastern side of Wilpena Pound. 6 tows total. I scored the last ride in the Dimona with Richard - the ridge lift wasn’t enough for me to stay up, so it’s lucky there was an engine. Fun to try though.
The forecast for Saturday night included rain, and it was right. Sunday was also wet: some went to the Parachilna pub for lunch: some had a BBQ put on by John Hudson: we all had dinner in the Woolshed.
Monday - showers in the morning, and the airstrip takes a while to dry after rain, so no flying. Several of us went on a short walk into Wilpena Pound, getting a few sprinkles of rain. The forecast was saying Tuesday would be dry, with more rain Wednesday. By the end of Monday
there were only the two motorgliders, one glider and the tug left on the strip - everyone else had left.
Tuesday dawned to an almost clear sky with a moderate north-westerly. The top of the Chace Range was clear of cloud: the motorgliders headed over there and made good use of it. The one glider left also had a fine time - strong ridge lift on a nice long ridge. “You should have been there, guys.”
So I flight planned, packed up the tug and left about 1pm, arriving Waikerie about 2:30. Yes, tailwind on the way home as well.
Come along next year folks… the weather can be a bit of a lottery, but this is a weather dependent sport, so that isn’t a surprise. - Pete Siddall
May 10 & 11
The weekend was planned as a Working Bee to undertake a number of tasks around the Clubs facilities. It was unfortunate that so few turned up, resulting in a number of tasks not being undertaken.
Yo Hasegawa, from Japan visited Waikerie for the weekend, having returned to Australia to undertake a 3 hour Nav-ex to complete the requirements for his Japanese PPL. Yo took the opportunity to have a check-flight with Bill Mudge before flying the Astir KYS for the first time as a syndicate owner. Yo stayed on to help with the Working Bee.
Others who turned out to help were David Conway, who with John Ridge felled some of the dead trees around the facilities, Mark Morgan, Craig Vinall, David White, Greg Jackson, Peter Paine, Allen Hudson, Nigel, Aiden and Dion Baker, David Jones - whi fitted weather strips to a number of doors and undertook some other minor repairs/adjustments etc on buildings, Graham Francis and Andrew Wright.
There were some passengers, who were flown by Bill Mudge before David Schenke flew with Bill. Greg Jackson ferried the Tug from Parafield to Waikerie (which was delayed by fog over the hills) before completing a number of tows.
The next Flying Weekend is 24-25 May, with the Club’s AGM scheduled for Saturday afternoon, 24th May.
John Hudson
Just before I launched last Saturday in my Nimbus 2, Pete Siddal who was towing advised me that a band of rain was only 15mins away approaching from the west and that there was no lift out to the west. We had a good look at the sky, which was 8/8 cloud and there was some dying Cu out to the north on the other side of the highway. The wind was 15 to 20kts from the west on the ground and about 25kts up top.
So the options were to take a normal tow out to the west into wind and find nothing and land or take a risk with a long tow out to the north with the hope of finding some lift.
So we opted for the 2nd option and headed on a NNW track from 26 to ensure I had safe height to get back in case of a rope break. It was a very smooth tow as we headed up wind of the dying Cu which was directly North of the airfield. Approaching 3,000ft we changed track to the NNE heading directly for the Cu. We arrived at the Southern edge of the Cu at 4,000ft with the base of the Cu at around 4,500ft and it was time to get off and go explore.
I headed North under the Cu and found less than 1/2kt of lift and with the drift it was pointless staying here as I did not want to drift downwind of the airfield. I left heading WSW back into wind for a few kms and found a 2kt thermal which gave me an opportunity to access the weather approaching. The squall line approaching was angled NNW with the bottom edge just approaching the airfield, with it extending out around 25kms. I was about 15kms to the NNW of the airfield and between me the squall line I could see dust being blown off the paddocks below on a line abeam me and continuing out to the north.
This looked promising to attempt to run the front of the squall line NNW to fly around the top of the rain and in behind it without getting wet. The dilemma I had was assessing the what if as I did not want to find myself below final glide height back to get back to the airfield or getting stuck downwind. Not a day to be outlanding in a paddock with strong wind and rain. I also had to take into account my final glide height being at worst case through rain and with a 90 degree cross wind component.
Lots to think about and access in a short period of time, thank god for WinPilot and a few turns of the McCready and bugs knobs and I had a glide setup for rain conditions. My nimbus with its big wings does not like getting wet with the 48 to 1 glide ratio dropping back to what feels like about 30 to 1.
I was at 3,500ft and headed toward the dust and it wasn’t long before I was in 6 to 7kts directly north of the airfield heading on a NNW track and climbing. Approaching 5,500ft I increased my speed from 55kts to 70kts and to 80kts at 6,000ft and 90kts at 6,500ft as I reached the end of the lift. I continued NNW for a little further but the cloud to the west and NW of me was lower than me. I was 23kms North of the airfield and to get around the cloud I would have to go another 5 to 10km further North with no way of knowing what was behind it to the west.
Looking back to the airfield which I could not see for the cloud and the rain. See photo’s of what I could see to the south of the airfield. The final glide was predicting 1800ft to arrive back at the airfield flying at 80kts in rain so this was the best option. I headed directly south flying at 90kts to keep out of the cloud through light rain then turned SW and into the rain which was rather heavy. I wanted to get through the rain as quickly as possible so kept the speed at 90kts as I watched the Altimeter wind down at a great rate of knots.
I was heading for a light patch of clear air 5kms NW of the airfield and as I approached, the airfield came into view popping out of the rain at 2,500ft. It felt much better to have a normal glide ratio again as the wings dried in the clear smooth air. Looking out to the west there was another very large band of rain approaching and with no lift around and no way of being able to dodge the next one so I decided to head in and land before it started raining again on the airfield.
It was at this point that I received a radio call from the pie cart to ask if I was still flying - I assume they hadn’t thought I had outlanded.
Flying back to the airfield at Vne for the obligatory low level finish I hit the rain again on the Northern boundary to the airfield for a finish and circuit in the rain.
Overall a 44min flight from a 4,000ft tow instead of what would have been a 15min flight off a 2000ft tow.
Peter Robinson
Following the invitation from WGC, a number of Balaklava Gliding Club members visited Waikerie during the weekend 26th and 27th of April - despite the forecast change in the weather to wet and windy conditions.
It was great to see Dene and Jean Newton, Judy and Peter Goodale, Steve Shuck, John Bradbury, Ulrich, Jess and Colin Stauss, Tim Lacey, Merv Lindner, Tom Yeatman, Dean Hill, Wal Mayger, Andrew Horton, Roger Cox and Peter Oldfield at Waikerie.
Andrew Horton towed a BGC AS K21 to Waikerie - and after rigging this a Morning Briefing was held to update the BGC members on the operations at Waikerie and to brief pilots on the various gliders to be flown. With the cloud thickening in the west, flying operations got underway with Peter Siddall in the Tug.
Dene Newton flew first in the Duo-Discus, enjoying a flight of 24 minutes.
Ulrich Stauss had 21 minutes in the LS-7, Colin Stauss 12 minutes in the Discus and Peter Oldfield and Peter Goodale had flights of 8 and 16 minutes respectively in the Duo-Discus - before the squally wind and rain arrived at around 1400 Hrs. This resulted in a quick departure back to the Hangar and, unfortunately, a cessation of the days flying activities, as some BGC members who were visiting for the day were unable to fly.
Peter Robinson took a high tow to the north but couldn’t escape the showers. Grant Hudson visited for the day and updated all the Club’s Flarms.
This allowed a visit to Allen Hudson’s hangar to see the AS W20 conversion to jet engine power. This project is now well advanced with most approvals in place. It is expected testing will be able to begin in late May or early July to enable the first flight soon after. A look was also taken at Allen’s Glassair 2 light sport aircraft before we ventured to the Bar.
Jean Hudson provided Dinner on Saturday evening.
Rain during Saturday night didn’t give much hope for flying on Sunday, however after a short break, the gliders were DI’d and prepared. Greg Jackson was the Tug Pilot for the day.
Dean Hill, Tom Yeatman, Merv Lindner and Jess Stauss had flights in the Duo-Discus of 17, 17, 14 and 24 minutes respectively. Colin Stauss flew the LS-4 and LS-7 with flights of 35 and 43 minutes respectively, Andrew Horton flew the LS-7 and LS-4 for 23 and 15 minutes, Peter Goodale flew the LS-7 for 9 minutes and Ulrich flew the LS-4 for 17 minutes. Then the weather looked threatening and flying operations were abandoned.
After the gliders were put away, the BGC members departed for home and Greg Jackson departed Waikerie for Parafield in the Pawnee.
All in all, despite the weather, an enjoyable weekend at Waikerie where it was possible for the BGC members to experience some different sailplanes in a different flying environment.
Thanks to the WGC members who supported the weekend - Pete Siddall, Greg Jackson, Peter Paine and Peter Robinson.
On behalf of the Waikerie Gliding Club, I expressed our thanks for making the effort to visit Waikerie.
John Hudson
Here is the latest newsletter, ‘Out of the Blue’ (PDF, 137 kB). Working Bee 10th & 11th May 2008 – Notice of Annual General meeting, 24th May 2008 - members please note change in commencement time of meeting 16:00 (4 o’clock). We are also planning a trip to the Flinders Ranges over the June 08 Long weekend.
Another busy weekend at Waikerie - despite the continuing hot, dry weather.
The Committee met on Friday evening - with the main issues addressed being fleet insurance and the purchase of an AS K21. More about these later.
A Flight Crew meeting was held on Saturday morning under the Chairmanship of the CFI, Mark Morgan. A range of operational issues were addressed, Independent Operator ratings were renewed and it was agreed Peter Robinson would be Acting CFI when Mark is away for 6 weeks overseas. Notes from the meeting will be circulated to the Flight Crew Members and a summary to the wider membership.
After the meeting, Bill Mudge flew a couple of AEFs and conducted severl Checkflights in the Duo-Discus. Phil Hollick flew his recently purchased Twin Astir performing aerobatics above the airfield with Aiden and Dion Baker. Fifteen members sat down to dinner in the evening over a few wines before the recently screened Darwin Thunderstorm program was viewed.
Perhaps the highlight of the weekend was the gliding conditions on Sunday. The day started late - but boomed. Greg Jackson (LS-7), Peter Paine (Discus) and Art Hohmann (LS-4) launched into a sky with developing Cu. Greg and Peter flew south to Alawoona then north to Burra and return, while Art flew to Wunkar, Blanchetown, Burra and return, all experiencing climbs above 10,000 under Cu with a base at around 13,000.
Cath Conway and Phil Hollick launched in the Nimbus 4DM and flew to Stonefield, Burra and return.
All in all, a great weekend.
John Hudson
The club newsletter for March 2008 is now available.
Included in this month’s Out of the Blue are latest notices, items of interest in regard to operations and we welcome the past & new members, who have joined us this summer.
Jet
The 2008 AGM of the Waikerie Gliding Club is scheduled for 1400 Hrs, Saturday 24th May 2008 in the Clubrooms at Waikerie.
This is a normal flying day, with a break at 1400 Hrs for the AGM, which is a significant event in the Club calendar.
It is necessary to elect a Committee for the next 12 months, with the Executive Committee retiring in accordance with the Constitution and some Committee retiring on rotation.
Dinner will be available at the Club on the Saturday evening. Plan to attend the AGM and have your say in matters of your interest.
John Hudson
On 18th February, we announced that the Club’s Twin Astir sailplanes had been sold and that the availability of an AS K21 was being pursued.
What appears to be a suitable sailplane has been identified at a Club in Germany - an AS K21 - WE - with 3260 hours TTIS and 5210 launches. This sailplane has basic instruments (less ASI’s, Alt’s) and a price of Euro 49,400. This price is without a trailer to take advantage of the generous offer from Craig Vinall to ship the ASK21 in his ASG29 container (only accommodates 1 trailer).
The German Club which owned this sailplane had intended to offer it for sale later in the year when they expect delivery of a new DG1000. At their recent AGM, they agreed to release this glider early.
As indicated earlier, our purchase is subject to an on-site inspection. Arrangements are now being made for this inspection to take place. Arrangements are also being made to reserve a suitable registration and for the conduct of a C of A inspection for the issue of an Australian C of A.
Assuming the onsite inspection is satisfactory the ASK21 will arrive in Waikerie around Mid July. Offers of assistance to build a trailer before the arrival of the sailplane will be appreciated.
We will keep you advised of developments.
John Hudson