Newsletter November 2013

Dear fellow pilot

Wow! Just under three months to the Central Districts Championships at Waipukurau. As well, it is just over six weeks to Christmas. It is time to start hinting to those who ask you what you want for Christmas that it would be great to go to Waipukurau and fly in the Central Districts competition. For sure, that has to be the best present, even if you have to arrange it yourself.

Since our last newsletter, the sky has seen some great days. One day, off the end of the airfield on launch at 500 feet, a great lifting bump was felt. With a few quick turns it was up to 1,000ft and then a rapid climb to cloud base at 7,000ft averaging 7 knots up. Coming back from Wellington earlier this month by car, a convergence line ran from south of Masterton to north of Waipukurau. It looked very enticing. It is a great place for sure with great thermals, cloud streets and convergence lines along with gentle wave.

A number of very experienced pilots have offered to give evening talks and tips to enhance pilot knowledge during the competition. We are also planning some great meals at the Waipukurau Aerodrome during the contest which runs from Sunday 09^th to Saturday 15th February 2014 inclusive with Saturday 08th available as a practice day.

Thanks to those who have so far indicated interest in attending. To ensure we have sufficient tow planes available, we now attach an entry form (http://www.glidinghbw.co.nz/links.html) so you can enter so we can start to firm actual numbers.

Flying prior to the contest can be arranged for those who wish to enjoy beautiful Hawke Bay and further afield. If we are lucky and get a wave day, gold and diamond height gains in our gentle wave can be a real possibility.

Accommodation available is wide and varied from camping and caravanning on the aerodrome to the local camping ground, B & Bs, motels etc. If you require any help in booking accommodation, we can help.

Remember the popular song, with a bit of poetic licence, “All I want for Christmas and New Year is to fly at the Central Districts Championships at Waipukurau.” It does not quite rhyme but sounds good.

We want, subject to mother nature of course, to make this the best and most enjoyable contest of the year so put the dates of this contest (Sunday 09^th to Saturday 15th February 2014) on your calendar and plan for a great fun trip to Hawkes Bay this summer.

Further e-mails will be sent closer to the event while further information will be available at http://cdchamps.blogspot.co.nz/ as confirmed.