The guys set out on the SW launch as Bill circles up
Ray gets thermalling on his way to well over 2000' above with Bill keeping an eye on him from below
The gang go Michelle spotting at El Bosque
Amazing views from launch as one of the boys floats along the ridge
Michelle comes down as the sun setsWhat a day it was. Up to Lijar in the morning the team showed the way with Bill N first off the hill and climbing straight out in thermal way above launch. One by one the others followed whilst the rest of the hill watched and slowly got their kit out. Previous thermal virgins made it look easy and within a few minutes we had everyone up and away except Ray M and Nigel E.
With things still looking good Ray showed them how to do it with a great forward launch. A little bit of encouragement soon saw him circling in a nice "5 up" to 1500' above launch. Leaving him to his own devices he enjoyed a hour and twenty minutes flying dropping down to 1500' below take off before popping back up again to well over 2000' above it again.
Nigel E was last off of the group and again with a little help was soon spiralling up to join Ray. He had an amazing flight having never really thermalled before and "settled" in nicely. After flying well out over the valley with nearly a mile of air under him his question was " OK Graham, how do I get down?" Both Nigel and Ray made great efforts to find descending air with quote of the day being " come over here Ray the sink is working really well!".teve M experienced some weightlessness in what were relatively bouncy conditions and witnessed a low level full collapse to a performance wing following which he carried out some pilot comforting
A bite of lunch and we made the decision not to return to the main hill where all the pilots that missed the slot had moved to the NW launch but to head off to El Bosque where we hoped it would be quieter. On arrival there was only half a dozen gliders flying adn by the time we got to launch we had it to ourselves. The guys wasted no time in getting off and enjoying the late afternoon gain Ray showed the way with a first class nil wind landing to end a lovely day with a nice mixture of flying and some personal bests.
Tomoorow who knows but looks like a change in the weather so we may well change sites, we shall see. How's the UK????
With things still looking good Ray showed them how to do it with a great forward launch. A little bit of encouragement soon saw him circling in a nice "5 up" to 1500' above launch. Leaving him to his own devices he enjoyed a hour and twenty minutes flying dropping down to 1500' below take off before popping back up again to well over 2000' above it again.
Nigel E was last off of the group and again with a little help was soon spiralling up to join Ray. He had an amazing flight having never really thermalled before and "settled" in nicely. After flying well out over the valley with nearly a mile of air under him his question was " OK Graham, how do I get down?" Both Nigel and Ray made great efforts to find descending air with quote of the day being " come over here Ray the sink is working really well!".teve M experienced some weightlessness in what were relatively bouncy conditions and witnessed a low level full collapse to a performance wing following which he carried out some pilot comforting
A bite of lunch and we made the decision not to return to the main hill where all the pilots that missed the slot had moved to the NW launch but to head off to El Bosque where we hoped it would be quieter. On arrival there was only half a dozen gliders flying adn by the time we got to launch we had it to ourselves. The guys wasted no time in getting off and enjoying the late afternoon gain Ray showed the way with a first class nil wind landing to end a lovely day with a nice mixture of flying and some personal bests.
Tomoorow who knows but looks like a change in the weather so we may well change sites, we shall see. How's the UK????
2 comments :
I really wish I didn't keep reading your blog.Its raining, blowing and cold :( Barry H
Sorry Barry, you could have been here!! Now taking bookings for next year ........
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