Thursday, December 31, 2009

Bright update

Day 1 was a great day, i flew Kevin's Fun to the Kiewa (see <http://www.xcontest.org/australia/flights/detail:andrew_medew/29.12.2009/03:44>).

Also over there was Kevin, Brad, Neil, and Nigel.

The 2nd day again Kevin, Brad, Neil and Nigel made it too the Kiewa Valley.

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

1st day on Bright summer trip

Arrived last night, so today is the 1st flying day.

Looks like a light southerly, so lets see how it all goes.

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Next Bright trip


Only 2 half weeks to the next Bright trip :)

Here are some ideas I have been working on :)

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Bright for 4 days.


The Wrap Up;

The forecast wasn't looking good (it was cr#p actually), but the trip had been planned a month out to suit available holidays. So off to Bright we went.

The short story, for 4 days we flew 2 of them, nothing spectacular but both days produced near hour flights and heights of 1300' to 3000' gains (above launch).

Day 1 was overcast & wet so we eventually went for a MTB ride. After a few beers @ the brewery later in the afternoon, conditions were probably launchable.

Day 2 was quite windy and looking very average for Mystic, so off to "Savhill" we ventured. We checked out the alternate LZ (a few paddocks south of the LZ on the main road entrance), and decided that this was the better option for the windsock. On launch conditions were suitable so gliders came off and were setup. Kevin launched 1st, followed by Gabriel, conditions looked on & off with patches of lift but also areas of sink. Nick & I sat on launch observing, then Nick decided that the conditions were not appropriate for his first flight (since January). So I then took the opportunity to fly his Sting and Nick drove the car down the hill. I had a good TO and initially same patchy conditions, but later found good lift to a little over 1300' above TO height. So on sh$t days (when we probably wouldn't have flown anywhere else) we are now 2 from 2 for flights @ "Savhill". Thanks Bob for the great site and bring on summer.

Day 3, a day for the Bright latte club. We spent some of the day @ the "The Hot Chicks Cafe". :) We than headed to Porepunkah airstrip to watch the Tassie boys go for a powered harness flight. In the afternoon we checked the Mystic LZ but the valley had gone southerly.

Day 4 it was still southerly, so off to the Pines we trekked. Interesting conditions on launch, but the Tassie boy's felt at home and launched not long after we arrived. Nick launched first (from our crew), followed by Gabriel, they looked like they were doing well so I hopped in and took off. The 3 of us noticed some rain to the eastern (Murmungee) end and radioed down to Kevin. Kevin monitored it for awhile but as it was moving away he soon joined us. There was plenty of wide area lift (that could easily take you to the control step above TO), but even in floaters (Freedom, Falcon, Sting, Fun) the pilot was in control. Nick, Gabriel & Kevin landed in a paddock a few k's past the normal LZ, while I choose the normal LZ.

4 days in Bright, plenty to do as well as time to relax with friends. Bring on Christmas, New Year & January.