January newsletter

06 January 2016

Dear fellow pilot

Happy new year! We trust you all had a great break.

We have had a number of great flying days here in Hawkes Bay with thermals and convergences. One day the best climb on the averager was 6.5 knots. The cloud base certainly comes close fast at that rate of climb. Then, later in the same day, a large convergence line formed from the sea breeze in the north and a southerly. It ran from the coastal hills to the ranges. There was no need to turn, just dolphin soar all the way there and back maintaining just under 5,000ft ASL. No struggle, just fun soaring.

Entries are coming in for the 2016 Central Districts Championships which are to be held from Waipukurau Aerodrome from Sunday 14th to Saturday 20th February 2016 inclusive with Saturday 13th available as a practice day. For those who have completed an entry form and paid the entry fee, thank you. For those who have advised they are coming, it will be a great help with tow plane and personnel planning if you get your entries in as soon as possible. If we believe the long term weather forecast, it is going to be a hot, dry summer here in Hawkes Bay. Good thermals and wave should be the norm.

For those who are considering coming, please turn your consideration into a firm entry. Your support helps the gliding movement with the publicity it achieves. It will be a fun contest in a safe flying area with tasks set to take into account both the newer cross country pilots and the guns. If it is your first contest or if you are an experienced pilot, it is only by being involved and sharing knowledge that the sport can grow. We ask all to give serious consideration to entering. Note also that the early bird entry fee requires payment on or before 10th January. So take advantage of the lower entry fee and enter now. An entry form is available on the club web site www.glidinghbw.co.nz/links

Remember that having no crew is not a hindrance to entry as helpers are available if required. All classes will be catered for, including the club class.

The contest director will be Neil Faulknor with weatherman, task setter and scorer Graham White. This is Graham’s home area and he understands the soaring options well.

There are plenty of accommodation choices to suit every pocket from camping on the aerodrome itself to cabins at local camping grounds, motels and hotels etc. Being only 30 minutes from Hastings, there are plenty of options for after hours activities for all, including the other half.

Further information is available at http://cdchamps.blogspot.co.nz/ and this will be updated as time progresses.

So, put the dates of this contest (Sunday 14^th to Saturday 20th February 2016 inclusive with Saturday 13th available as a practice day) on your calendar and plan for a great fun trip to Hawkes Bay this summer.