Newsletter January 2014

14 January 2014

Dear fellow pilot

Happy New Year. It is 2014 already. We trust everyone had a great break. It is now less than 28 sleeps to the 2014 Central Districts Competition from Sunday 09^th to Saturday 15th February inclusive with Saturday 08th available as a practice day.

As you can see from the photos below, taken last week late in the afternoon after landing, the sky was great for this thermal day. Cloud base was in excess of 6,500ft with big fat thermals with average climbs of around five knots. With some great thermal streets, we flew around 200km dolphin soaring most of the time with just the occasional turn to top up. Perfect thermal conditions inland while looking out towards the coast, a convergence line stretched down into the Wairapapa. With the thermals and cloud streets so good, there was no need to go out to the convergence.

We can advise the Waipukurau Airfield has been well mowed and is ready for flying. It is time to get family and friends out polishing the glider to give it that extra penetration. The Met office is predicting good weather for February.

Go on, you owe it to yourself to take some time off and come to Hawkes Bay and have a great time. If we get the odd non flying day, there are plenty of things to do in the Bay. If you have not got a glider, twist your committee’s arm to bring a club machine. It is worth remembering that the first teenaged young pilot to achieve his three diamonds in New Zealand was John White who did it from Waipukurau. If we are lucky, we may be able to twist his arm to get him to relive the great flights with us.

There is still time to enter this year’s competition. An entry form is available at http://www.glidinghbw.co.nz/links.html 

Please confirm your intentions as soon as possible as naturally we wish to ensure we have the optimal number of towplanes to cover entries.

Tasks will be set to suit both the top guns and those new to competition flying. As a friendly contest, experienced pilots will gladly share secrets with you if you ask.

Details of the practice day and initial briefing will be e-mailed to pilots in the week of Waitangi Day. If you have any questions or require any further information, just send us an e-mail to info@glidinghbw.co.nz for a prompt reply. We look forward to seeing you all next month.