Our Blog is an up to date record of what we have been up to both in the school and out of it. We endeavour to update it as regularly as possible and include a sample the days pictures when available.

You can scroll back through the
Blog and follow various students progress through their training and get a good idea of how the school operates.

You will also find records of our trips abroad which will give you a good idea of what to expect should you wish to come on one with us.

Please visit it on a regular basis and feel free to add comments.




Monday, October 15, 2012

Bush Munchers and Montellano magic - Algodonales day 5



The loneliness of an instructor

Another superb sunrise here in Algodonales and the team were still managing ti get up at a sensible time despite a few late nights for some..............


Mearcats on Levante launch

We decided to give the main hill a look in the thought that there maybe a chance of a flight in the morning convection before the forecast light Northerly took over. On the main launch it was indeed launchable but all the indications were that things were on the change and it would be a straight downer and with their new found skills eyes were set on higher things.

Moving back to the north side of the hill we stopped by the NW launch and watched some eastern european types do some very impressive bush munching (whilst we munched on our pack lunches) one after the other until in the end there were no bushes left to land in as they were all occupied!


Bush muncher launch

Whilst other groups opted to go to the “new” north launch we opted for a drive to Montellano where we hoped to get some good flying in and experience the evening lift. On arrival we met a large group of Germans walking back to their cars so I guess they must have heard we were on the way, or maybe things were not as good as we hoped??

On launch it was fine and whilst a few gliders bobbed around it was not yet working to well. By the time the guys had got the gliders out of the bags it was getting better and by the time Kaz launched with the view to flying down to guide pilots in it was bouncing and she went straight up into orbit followed by Michel and Chrissy in quick succession. With the others launching Kaz finally managed to get down after an hour and a half in time to check out the landing field conditions in plenty of time for the first arrivals.




The lower airtime boys had a ball getting in plenty of airtime and thermalling and enjoying flying with each other all over the sky. Launches were fine but ground handling skills were the key and we saw some pretty exciting alternative techniques it has to be said, but that's Algo'.

Phil stayed up a little longer than most and comfortably finished off his Pilot rating tasks before spending the rest of the afternoon scoring the landings.

With the guys back on top and conditions mellowing towards the evening magic those that wanted to got set to go again and one by one we slipped them in between the queuing pilots to get them up there and pretty soon we had them all safely away. A classic evenings flying ensued with conditions smoothing out nicely. As the sun set and the shadows spread out cross the landscape team Cloud 9 came in to land one after the other to beat the rush.


Line astern as the evening lift cuts in


and here it is

It was a tired but happy group that headed south to Algo' for yet another fun night in JJ's and yet more 43's and sugary puddings, yummy.


the 43'ers

Quote of the day “stop fannying about and b88gger off!”

No comments :