The past weekend had the makings of being busy – Nigel was to clean out his “old” hangar and move into the new, Dion anticipated a group of friends on motor bikes and our students anticipated flying. The weekemd turned out to be flat out. With Cath Conway instructing on Saturday with Pete Siddal in the tug, the day “ran out of daylight”. During the day, 3 french visitors visited the Club, each taking an AEF. A large group enjoyed Jean’s provision in the evening – over a few reds.

Its been a long time since we have had so many students on the airfield together (Michael, Jarred, Stuart, Alannah & Ben on Saturday). On Sunday, Nigel Instructed (and I towed), again to a full house, with a similar number of students (Jarred, Stuart, Alannah, Ben, Matt).

John Hudson

The March issue of “Out of the Blue”, the club newsletter, is here (PDF,54 kB).

News of students going solo, the club’s Annual General Meeting, and some reminders about safety in ground operations.
Coming soon: airspace changes, check-flight weekend, working bee.

There was another great weekend at Waikerie.

Saturday saw some good flying before the Clubs AGM. Several pilots were “away” for a few hours, under Cu with climbs to around 6000.

The highlight of the day however was the first “in-command” flight by Bradley McKay. After a few flights with Bill Mudge – it happened. Congratulations to Bradley on this milestone in his flying career – he had a smile when he landed that you couldn’t walk around. Well done Brad.

On Sunday, Matt Morgan went solo. Well done Matt! It was a good one.

It was good to see Graham Parker during Saturday afternoon: he flew in from Gawler in his AS G29.

Saturday’s flying finished early because of the Club’s AGM.

A separate report in Club forums will provide information and detail for members.

I thank those members who have contributed to the operations of the Club in the past 12 months – in particular to those who actively contributed to the Multi-class competition a big THANKYOU.

A new Committee was elected;

I thank Allen Hudson for his efforts and commitment to the Committee over the past several years and I welcome Dion to the Committee.

On behalf of the members, I extend special thanks to the Committee for their efforts and ongoing support over the past year.

I also thank the membership of the Club for re-electing me as President of the Club for another year and  for the show of support at the direction we are taking.

There are always tasks which would benefit from the effort of members – the benefits to the Club and to individual members is great and personally rewarding. I encourage every member to get actively involved – and if you need help to select a task, talk to me – I’ll gladly assist.

Again thanks for the opportunity presented – I’ll endeavour give my best.

John Hudson

Saturday started off with Alto Cu forming to the North with no sign of any ground based Cu. Around midday some beautiful wave clouds formed underneath the Alto Cu as a result of an Easterly wind on the ground and a North Westerly up top causing shear wave.

It only took another 1 hour for the two air streams to mix and the Alto Cu to connect to the ground at which point the temperature had reached trigger point and we were launching. 6 to 8kt climbs were available to Cloud base (7,500ft) and I spent some time trying to find a climb up the side of the cloud without wanting to dump my water.

Interestingly the climbs were on the downwind side under the Cu which makes sense given the mixing of the two air streams. Pete Paine, Craig and I blasted around under the cloud streets until we got separated and then did our own thing.

As the day went on the sky overdeveloped and as Craig was landing I had a long glide from 7,500ft  down to 2500ft in still air back into a sunny patch, thinking that the day maybe finished when things started to bubble again finding a 4kt thermal which quickly turned into 9.6kts all the way to cloud base. A line of cloud then formed from Waikerie to Blanchetown. I had dumped all my water just prior to this thermal which was ideal to see if there was any thermal wave in front of the cloud. I found myself half way up the side of the cloud at 8,500ft using the momentum from the 9.6kts as I approached the base of the cloud. I found 1 kt as I ridge soared the cloud for around 10mins which basically maintained my height as I flew up and down the North Western edge.

The cloud street to Blanchetown drew me away and I zoomed off to Blanchetown at 100kts without turning then back along to Notts Well then Maggea and home.

It was well worth hanging on at 2500ft instead of heading for home and landing as this last part of the flight was most enjoyable and very relaxing. 340kms for the day flying under cloud streets and only going below 5,500ft once.

Peter Robinson, 13 March 2010

Favourable weather was forecast again for Saturday 13th March. On Friday 12th, Mark (Morgan), Ron (Brock) and Allen (Hudson) went flying in good conditions under Cu to the north of Waikerie. During Saturday, the Cu again developed and progressively spread from the north of Waikerie to the west and south, providing good conditions to 6000-7000 Ft - but with a late start.

Two of the Club’s three new students – Matt Morgan and Sam Doecke were keen to get flying. Bill Mudge and Mark Morgan were the Instructors for the day. With check-flights for Peter Paine and David Lawley done – Matt and Sam got to fly before Craig (Vinall), Peter (Robinson) , David (Lawley) and Peter (Paine) all got airborne.

Later in the day, Hiro Yamada arrived, and after a check-flight with Mark Morgan in the Nimbus, Hiro also took off cross-country.

On Sunday, a high Cirrus delayed warming but provided excellent conditions for a couple of AEF’s for a father and son from Adelaide.

John Hudson

The March issue of “Out of the Blue”, the club newsletter, is here (PDF, 145 kB).

A brief report on summer operations; dates for  working bees and AGM. Thanks Greg!

Results Day 7

15M – John BUCHANAN Kingaroy SC ASG 29 time of 3:00:44 at a speed of 108.3 km/h Distance 326.3km

Standard – Michael DURRANT Geelong GC LS8t time of 2:58:45 at a speed of 105.1 km/h Distance 315.3 km

18M – Bruce TAYLOR Lake Keepit SC Ventus 2cx time of 3:03:12 at a speed of 107.8 Distance 329.2km

Open – David JANSEN Kingaroy SC ASG 29E time of 3:01:07 at a speed of 111.0 Distance 335km

Task Day 7 for 15M – 6^th competition day for Standard 18M and Open

15M

AusScore;, Task time: 03:00:00
Start – Galga – Meribah – Taldra – Wunkar – Overland Corner – Waikerie Finish
Task length: 186.9km/444.7km (297.0km)

Standard

AusScore;, Task time: 03:00:00
Start – Galga – Meribah – Taldra – Wunkar – Overland Corner – Waikerie Finish
Task length: 186.9km/444.7km (297.0km)

18M

AusScore;, Task time: 03:00:00
Start – Galga – Peebinga – Taldra – Wunkar – Overland Corner – Waikerie Finish
Task length: 213.1km/495.1km (331.5km)

Open

AusScore;, Task time: 03:00:00
Start – Galga – Peebinga – Taldra – Wunkar – Overland Corner – Waikerie Finish
Task length: 213.1km/495.1km (331.5km)

Weather was cool for the last three days of the comp with convection around the 4,000ft. AAT tasks have been set and the pilots are all a bit apprehensive as the scores are close.

Results Day 6

15M – Ian MCCALLUM Bathhurst SC Ventus C time of 3:05 at a speed of 159 km/h Distance 492.3km

Standard – Peter TEMPLE Adelaide SC LS8 time of 2:30 at a speed of 165.5 km/h Distance 416 km

18M – Lars ZANDER Darling Downs SC Ventus 2cx time of 2:48 at a speed of 168.2 Distance 471.6km

Open – Gerrit KURSTJENS Darling Downs SC Nimbus 4T time of 3:07 at a speed of 161.3 Distance 556.9km

Task Day 6 for 15M – 5th competition day for Standard 18M and Open

15M
Start – Pinnaroo – Hattah – Waikerie Finish Task length: 497.3km

Standard
Start – Swan Reach – Peebinga – Lake Cullulleraine – Waikerie Finish
Task length: 425.3km

18M
Start – Pinnaroo – Hattah – Waikerie Finish Task length: 497.3km

Open
Start – Pinnaroo – Annuello – Carwarp – Waikerie Finish
Task length: 599.6km

Absolutely another amazing day with some of the fastest times ever recorded at an Australian Nationals competition.

The next two days were rest days for the pilots. A very blustery and hot northerly wind preceded a cool strong Southerly change. The organising committee continued on with restocking and preparations for the rest of the comp.

Saturday 8th January 2010
Results Day 5
Open Class – Eric HEINONEN Finland ASG 29 2hrs:45 at a speed of 157.9km/h Distance 436.6km

18 meter class – Bruce TAYLOR Lake Keepit SC Ventus 2cx 3hrs:05at a speed of 162.3km/h Distance 502.9km

Standard Class – Peter TEMPLE Adelaide SC  LS8  3hrs:09 at a speed of 148.1km/h Distance 468.7km

Task Day 5

Standard and 15 Meter

Waikerie Finish/start – Meribah 95.3km – Karawinna 85.4km – Morgan 189.9km – Maggea 60.6km Waikerie Finish 32.6km Total: 463.9km

18 meter

Waikerie Finish – Alawoona 75.4km – Lake Cullulleraine 112.0km – The Gums 211.8km – Maggea 95.1km – Waikerie Finish Total: 527.0km

Open Class

Waikerie Finish – Meribah 95.3km – Karawinna 85.4km – Morgan 189.9km – Maggea 60.6km – Waikerie Finish 32.6km Total: 463.9km

Typical Waikerie day lift  to 14 thousand feet and Q bases reported around 13,500 ft.  Open Class pilots managed to convince the organising committee to change to the B task which was the same as Std/15M leaving the 18M to do the long task on their own. The main reason was the predictions for the day were not as good as the fantastic day before and the late launch of the Open class their thinking was they may run into a sea breeze or the day may end early. Neither happened and the Open class were way under tasked. Allowing the pilots to really get up and race with some amazing speeds. The speeds posted on the scores are handicapped and a speed off the stick of 177kph average was recorded. Again we are calling this day 5 but only the 15M has flown 5 days.

Friday 8th January 2010
Results Day 4
Open Class – David JANSEN Kingaroy SC ASG 29E 4hrs:35 at a speed of 126.5km/h Distance 580.9km

18 meter class – Lars ZEHNDER Darling Downs SC Ventus 2cx 4hrs:42 at a speed of 122.9km/h Distance 578.0km

Standard Class – Peter TROTTER Kingaroy LS 8 4hrs:11 at a speed of 123.5km/h Distance 517.8km

15 meter class – John BUCHANAN Kingaroy SC ASG 29 3hrs:55 at a speed of 129.1km/h Distance 507.2km

Task Day 4.

Open – 18 Meter

Waikerie Finish/ Start – Pinnaroo 143.8km – Lindsay River 129.0km – Mount Mary 144.5km – Wanbi 108.3km – Woolpunda 63.1km Total: 605.9km

Standard – 15 Meter

Waikerie Finish/ Start - Peebinga 116.0km – Paringa 84.2km – Mount Mary 123.4km – Wanbi 108.3km – Woolpunda 63.1km – Waikerie Finish 17.2km Total: 512.3km

Most pilots thought this was a tough day as the thermal heights and predictions were not consistent over the entire task area. Tasks today were long however most pilots achieved good speeds and the day did not finish until after 19:00.