Klippeneck weather

Being on top of a large ridge, the weather here can be quite interesting. Here are a couple of pics from the start of the expedition......

How many people does it take to rig a Duo?

Later that day - orographic cloud

But at least it cleans the bugs off - and look at the shine on that canopy!

KCZ glistening

Klippeneck Day 4

The forecast today was enough to get the entire fleet rigged and gridded on runway 22.

Ready to go

Nils set a 100k triangle, Richard set Ulm out and return and then went in completely the opposite direction and visited France via the Black Forest. Those new to the site made exploratory forays in various directions, Rolf and Dave C-B dropped in on other airfields but were soon back on site. The views were stunning - makes a change from the Chilterns.

A German castle

Black Forest, probably

Somewhere else in Germany

Dinner parties followed the pattern for the day and set off in different directions, though rumour has it that they mostly went to a pizzeria in a nearby town. An early night is indicated as the forecast for tomorrow is for big tasks.

The resident lawnmowers

Klippeneck 2015 - Day 3

Just off tow

Sun and clouds

Towing back in the rain

On tow

The weather is still on its way with good forecasts for Wednesday and Thursday but there was still a high level of launches. The wind was light and mostly across the runways so the opportunity to let people land at both ends taken, much to the confusion of the locals who couldn't understand why we changed from the "correct" runway. That said our hosts at Klippeneck couldn't be more friendly or helpful. Flying went on until 19:00 when a shower finally stopped play. A group effort got the gliders cleaned and put away ready to all get out for the evening's eating.

Klippeneck 2015 - Day 2

Sunny Klippeneck

Launch queue on 22

A fine hat

Runway 05, hotel on left

We were lucky to have Nils give us a met brief. The day's forecast was for showers with good thermals in between generating the next round of showers, with the weather getting better as the week progresses. We were flying from the other end on runway 22 this time and the two seaters were soaring in between the showers and ensuring everyone was happy with the approach and landing. Finally it was time to stop around 15:30 and the gliders were washed, polished and put away for the night in the Klippeneck hangers.

Klippeneck 2015 - Day 1

John ready to go

KCZ coming in again

Every take off starts downhill

Graham keeping the paperwork straight

Day 1 saw the clubs 2 seaters being rigged (and a few private owners' single seaters) ready for site checks on the long but slightly more tricky runway 02. The 2 seaters were kept busy with over 20 flights between them and a few single seaters flying. GA took off to do some local flying and familiarisation but was tempted by a convergence line and flew a 200k o/r. It was a long day with the gliders only landing around 19:30 but was completed with dinner at the nearest restaurant down the hill. More to follow tomorrow. XC options  A view from the road through the Black Forest en route for Klippeneck From the airfield

Final results from Saltby

All to play for

David drew the short straw on Friday morning and was the first to fly. Following an interesting tow through a cloud, he managed to perform all 11 figures in the correct order (which he himself declared as an achievement...!) for a reasonably good score.

The cloud then rolled in, and no more flights were flown that day.

Ready to roll

Saturday was a much better day and flying started early. Graham made a good job of his Advanced class Unknown sequence. The rest of the Sports class flew their Known 1 sequences, and the two beginners flew their single sequence. Flying continued into the evening with the Sports class flying a truncated Known 2 sequence from around 3000ft. David fell out of the top of his chandelle and suffered what can politely be described as brain fade for the rest of his sequence....

Final results, Graham 3rd in class, David 5th in class. Charles Baker from Lasham was 3rd in the Intermediate class.

Graham with yet another medal

A little "trailer" (well line of) for Klippeneck 2015

Ready to rig the two seaters

Every one and the gliders have arrived safely. The convoy of Booker's gliders stayed together in spite of the best efforts of the peage stations on the motorways and traffic lights in Strasbourg. One glider trailer is rumoured to have got stuck (wheels off the ground) on a ramp in their overnight stop hotel but details are sketchy. More updates on food and flying to follow

Aeros update from Saltby

The first day of the competition started to a gorgeous early morning, but the low cloud quickly slid in to delay the start. At midday, with a cloud base of 2800ft, a decision was made to fly split sequences for the Unlimited/Advanced/Intermediate known programs.

 

The cloud base rose throughout the afternoon, and all of the free programs were flown in one go.

 

Graham made a nice job of his first flight, but a strengthening wind caught him out a little and he finished low and downwind. After the two sequences he is in 2nd place in the advanced class with 74.37%, just behind George Rizk on 74.81%.

 

David spent the day working as a judges scribe. Hard work but interesting!

Booker pilots at the Aeros Championships

Today is the start of the British Glider Aerobatics Championship at Saltby airfield in Lincolnshire. Booker is represented by Graham Saw at Advanced level and David Humphreys at Sports level.

 

Waiting for the tug

 

Yesterday's practice day saw the pilots dodging rain showers and threading their way through cloud. Graham spent the day finely polishing his sequences and David had some last minute instruction from George Rizk.

 

Today sees Graham flying his Known 1 sequence.

 

Graham performing his pre-flight dance

 

Details of the contest, including results, at: British Glider Aerobatics Championships 2015

Cadets show the way

George and HNK

 

The spell of good weather this week has led to some good x/c flying this week but honours must go to the cadets with George H doing his silver distance to Membury in HNK and Hugh C completing one of his Bronze legs. Well done guys!