The latest write up from Taranaki Gliding 12/05/2013
The day was one of exploration really with a couple of high tows by Tim in the Discus and Peter Cook with Mira Valek, a visiting Czech pilot. Both gliders used a SE pressure wave effect to maintain or gain height. Dennis Green had three circuits flights of about fifteen minutes. Steve Barham got twenty minutes with JLZ in his new instructor role.
The local glider instruments were checked out by Nick Wisnewski recently. The transponder belonging to WZ was found to be faulty and was sent down the Wellington for repairs. Back now, waiting for re-installing.
As this is being written, the weather is closing in from the north – as predicted – so this weekend is out and the next few days too. End of the Golden Weather I suppose. Something to consider though, when second-guessing the weather, even with Dr Jack telling us what is what, that local micro-climate is always a factor. Scruffy weather in NP does not necessarily mean that flying is impossible
(This applies to Power flying as well) . Also, 300km days are not a sine qua non for instructional flying. A 1000ft cloud base would be quite OK for circuits. Just like winching actually.
As a result of the last instructors meeting, there are some promulgations, (yes promulgations – a fierce sounding word if ever there was!) regarding vehicle parking at the launch-point (and it is behind the glider being launched) and circuit flying. Tim is at this very moment compiling these which will be published ASAP. So we can all start the new season being good girls and boys.
There are only so many ways that you can take a picture of Steve Barham’s head and this is one of them. Photo by JLZ's Go-Pro camera.
As always check out the Taranaki Gliding web site for more info.
