I am officially on holiday this week, to fly in the comp! It will be the first time for about 10 years! As Boris still has not got his licence I asked him to be my crew - he is doing a great job. I could get used to this!
Saturday was the practice day, and we had an AAT task - can't even remember where it was to now! All I know is that I was within 800 ft of a paddock on the way home, but just managed to climb up enough to get back in to the field. Others outlanded at Gunnedah aerodrome. It was fantastic to fly for myself for a change, rather than talking in the back seat! It was actually the first time I have done a proper XC flight since working at LKSC, apart from a trip to Kaputar and back in the LS6.
On Sunday the weather really turned it on, and we had an excellent soaring day. The standard and 15m classes did an AAT Mullaley, Edgeroi, Manilla and back to LKSC. As per usual I came last except for someone who outlanded!
On Monday we did an AAT task Tambar Springs, Terri Hi Hi, Split Rock and back to LKSC. The conditions were variable, sometimes excellent, sometimes very worrying. I fell into a hole at Brigalow airfeild and it took me three attempts in 1/2 knot thermals to get high enough to get over the hills to get home. I was in the air for 6 hours and 45 minutes.
Tuesday was the 13th of the month, which is the unlucky day in Spain and also apparently in Argentina. However it was a lucky day for us as Boris finally got his licence through, and I mangaged to complete the task before last light! It was a fantastic day with speeds of over 150 km/hr recorded. I managed 105 kmph in the Mosquito which is good for me, but only good enough for 2nd last place! we flew a fixed task to Moree, Gunedah and back to Lake Keepit.
On Wednesday the task setters really went to town and gave us a huge fixed task of 490 km. I knew that as I am very slow, I needed an early start. Alas I was the last to launch. I left as soon as I could, but found the going very tough. When my GPS told me that my ETA was after six pm when I was gliding, and not even half way round, I had a pretty good idea that I wouldn't make it around! However I kept going and after taking my last climb to 7000 ft and about 7 pm, was forced to airbrake down to land safely at Barraba airfield just before last light! Boris and Ian Sawell came out with the trailer and we got home at about 11 pm. All part of the fun!
Thursday (today) was a difficult day with heavy cirrus cover most of the time. There were lots of outlandings and some simply did not fly. When the sun came out the thermals were strong punchy cores which went up to 9500 ft. The task was Edgeroi Boggabri for all classes - an AAT with big circles! After nearly bombing out at launch, I managed to sneak around and clip the circles and get back early.
There is a storm brewing now and we have been shuffling tugs around to get as many as possible in the hangars.
