13 Logbook 2012

Date

Pilot

From

Task or Route

T/O

Land

Time

Kms

IGC

Pics

07-Jan

466

Rob

Dunstable

Chinnor-Lower Clopton-Goucester South-Black Mountains

10:03

15:47

5:44

431

Launched onto Chilterns, some weak wave at Chinnor but not going anywhere so positioned to Cotswold edge. Ridge ran from Clopton to Nympsfield, wave bar over Gloucester looked good but ridges were being messed around underneath. Lit up for 1000' then maxed 9.3kts in stunning wave lift. Pushed upwind to near Hay and FL145 then ran home. Not a bad start to the season!

19-Jan

467

Rob

Dunstable

Edgehill-Tewkesbury-Enstone

11:23

16:07

4:44

249

Picked up weak wave nr. Edgehill in a drier slot between showers to the N & S. Pushed upwind to next bar in lift (?) then better up to FL105 airspace, wind 66kts 300degs. Expected great things so ran into-wind to just short of Malvern but not much in the way of wave - cloudbase now 3,000'+ so thermalled as far as Enstone, still active 30mins before sunset... Another nice flight with ridge, wave and thermal from what was originally a glider-drying-out exercise.

21-Jan

468

Steve

Rob

Dunstable

Aylesbury-Princes Risboro

11:25

13:26

2:01

Strong gusty crosswind made for tricky take-off, showers on Chinnor ridge so stayed with Halton and Ellesborough, caught a cloud street from Halton to Waddesdon inc a 3kt climb to 3200' Prop stop broke so avoided a 2nd start

19-Feb

469

Rob

Steve

Dunstable

Upwood-Tuxford

10:34

16:02

5:28

338

Made life difficult setting Upwood as a first TP, it was sat in the blue for a long time. No cloud streets which made the next bit difficult. That said the cloudbase rose to 5800' near Rutland Water and the viz was fantastic and most amazing it was February.

03-Mar

470

Steve

Rob

Dunstable

Oxford O/R

13:56

16:16

2:20

145

A couple of nice streets had us running into a stiff wind up to around 4000'. We'd hoped to cross beyond Brize, but getting low disconnected us, and we had to turn back. Robin gave an inflight lesson in patience as he tried to climb in ever weakening conditions, until we eventually gave up/lit up at Bicester.

06-Mar

471

Rob

A May

Dunstable

Eyebrook-Chinnor

12:45

15:53

3:08

212

Narrow N/S window between blue to the West and overcast to the East. Couple of 4kt climbs to 3700'. Last TP was in the blue. Ran out of Red Kites to follow near Princes Risborough.

08-Mar

472

Rob

M Marshall

Dunstable

Bedford-Avebury

11:27

16:07

4:40

277

A tricky day with mostly weak climbs, and too many low points for my liking, perked up a bit over the Bershire Downs which made the task possible, and an unusual thermal off Didcot got us home.

19-Mar

473

Rob

Dunstable

Great Ashfield-Pershore

11:01

15:46

4:45

437

Bimble downwind to start, proper thermals by Cambridge. Couple of nice streets out of the turn but always going N of track. Ran the edge of a large spreadout area which was active, dived under 3500' airspace to get to Stratford. Street in and out of Pershore, then good energy most of the way home, base nearly 5K in the Vale of Evesham. Some pretty good climbs around but mostly 3-4kts.

20-Mar

474

A Roch

Dunstable

Local

12:07

13:22

1:15

Flight with A Roch to revalidate licence

01-Apr

475

Rob

P Harvey

Dunstable

Sleaford-Northampton South-Bicester NW

11:07

16:20

5:13

311

Slow going in weak conditions, did reach an area of cu North of Rutland Water, but still weak. Ran out of time to complete the intended 400km.

06-Apr

476

Steve

R Berry

Dunstable

Didcot-Bicester

10:53

13:26

2:33

141

Good 3-4 kts where no top cover, weak elsewhere. Looked better to the south, as the encroaching front threatened to cut us off.

10-Apr

477

Rob

Dunstable

Great Yarmouth-Broadway(actually Gloucester South) due showers

10:44

16:40

5:56

618

First decent climb near Cambridge on the way out, then good streets to Yarmouth and back to Duxford. Showers sent us on the first of many large deviations around dead areas. Got to within 35Km of last TP at Broadway but under large line of showers... Massive re-route via Brize then went into the sector south of Gloucester! Amazing run in and out back to Oxford on edge of storm line with shelf cloud.

11-Apr

478

Rob

Dunstable

Lyneham-Crewkerne-Hembury Hill-Brackley-Bedford

10:40

16:28

5:48

537

Crept away under a low (2,000'AGL) cloudbase with showers already. Slowly improved but looked like the end was near until past Lyneham where it opened out into a good sky with much higher bases. Followed convergence in and out of North Hill and back to Salisbury. Up to 5,500ASL near Chievely, then ran around the edge of a line of storms coming in from the N.

13-Apr

479

Steve

J Reed

Dunstable

Melksham-Liphook-Avebury

11:37

16:17

4:40

416

The day took a while to get going, low cloud base initially, improving past Didcot. Generally good conditions after that, some nice well-behaved thermals, typically 3-4kts. The second/third leg showed some spreadout, and showers to avoid on the way into AVE, but once back in the sunshine, all was well. Expected more rain showers pm, which didn't happen.

14-Apr

480

Steve

L Roberts

Dunstable

Watton-Mendlesham-Sackville

11:28

16:01

4:33

336

Slow to start, much due to top cover, then improving eastbound until near Watton where lowering cloudbase made it a grind. Low point on way to Mendlesham. Then an improving sky for a nice run to Sackville & home. Lloyd Roberts had his first cross country, and thinks it's easy!

15-Apr

481

Rob

Dunstable

Eastbourne-Beaminster-Telford

09:59

18:01

8:02

794

Tailwind float down to the Ridges, working well mostly but the odd strong street produced some fluffy patches. Xwind run to BEA under Southampton and Bournemouth Radar, then turned for Telford. Never really had any runs in any direction, so had to force it. Good clouds, excellent cloudbase but frustrating to find and use. Will-it-won't-it final glide from way out at Mc0, dodging showers. We were both frozen solid on landing, had to sit in the car until warm enough to tow the glider back. We worked really hard to make this flight and it just came good at the end.

21-Apr

482

Steve

T Mills

Dunstable

Bedford O/R

10:11

11:53

1:42

Showery, difficult day, which went to worms earlier than hoped. Much time spent with obliging Cranfield.

22-Apr

483

Rob

Dunstable

Reedham O/R

10:52

15:38

4:46

360

Downwind waffle into supposedly better conditions - cloudbase went up then down again as we approached the coast (2,500'). Improved on the into-wind leg but PIC unreachable due heavy showers. Rest of flight a tactical progression around more showers until made glide back home. Still fun with 5K max base but mostly 3-4K.

24-Apr

484

Rob

Dunstable

Stockbridge-Worcester then Southam O/R

12:02

17:24

5:22

502

Almost didn't fly but spotted clearance coming through early at home. TopMeteo said centre of country, don't go too far W or E. A bit spreadout down to STK but the thermals were there and it opened out nicely on the 2nd leg with 4-4,500' and 4kt climbs. Could see big showers in the Severn Valley but Worcester in the clear. Good run back then OLC'd another 150Km on one thermal as a street formed up to the NW after finishing. Glad we made the effort to fly.

05-May

485

Rob

J Roberts

Dunstable

Hay Bluff O/R

12:28

16:44

4:16

360

Having set a west/east task, abandoned this at Oxford when it became apparent conditions were much better west and continued to the Black Mountains. There appeared to be a dry line from Dunstable to the Severn where cloudbase was 4500' and much lower to north and south. Surprisingly good flight after an indifferent forecast.

06-May

486

Steve

H Hingley

Dunstable

Brecon-Worcester

10:31

15:37

5:06

422

Had to start at Bletchley with the DUN area unsoarable. Initially looked like an excellent improving sky heading west, until past the Severn Valley. Became soggy and overcast approaching the Talgarth area, & got to within 7k of intended 1st TP at Cray Reservoir. Couldn't have got in and back to sunshine, so abandoned. Were due to go to N Wales next, which looked (& sounded) soggy, so took a slow run back home with lots of long glides.

11-May

487

Steve

M Burton

Dunstable

Goring-Old Radnor

10:12

16:49

6:37

413

Windy day, broken thermals low down. Brize refused us, what with active Fairford & South Cerney, had to reroute significantly to the east of the zone. Almost "landed out" there. Improved as we went west, until interference from hills at Cheltenham, joined the Trevor school of flying briefly on the hills, difficult progress in the Shobdon area where a great looking sky kept failing to deliver. Eventually abandoned task in the lee of a daunting Radnor, excellent run back to Evesham where cloud base dropped 1500'.

12-May

488

A Hippel

Dunstable

Gransden-Weymouth-Llanwrst-Stratford on Avon-Gransden

09:19

19:06

9:47

923

Remote start at Gransden. Rather tricky on the 1st leg until the Boscombe area, with the track being on the edge of the blue and thermals a bit broken. 2nd went well with Bristol being very friendly and base rising over Central Wales. Somewhat spreadout into LLN but climbed well at the turn. Rather poor run out under huge clouds that delivered very little. Scratched around near Shrewsbury & Telford under a big patch of spreadout. Much better when eventually got to Kidderminster and fairly straightforward after that. Finished high at Gransden and managed to soar home for 885Km on OLC. NEW UK TRIANGLE RECORD 823km

13-May

489

Steve

D Cornelius

Dunstable

Garboldisham-Langport

10:23

17:37

7:14

613

Nice straightforward flight until the Yeovilton area, where overcast & little convection. Was about to give up 8km from the turn, but that would have been 3 times in a row, so squeaked around the turn and back to the sunshine, lovely!

16-May

490

Rob

A Ishkanian

Dunstable

Tontine Inn-Littleport

10:08

16:30

6:22

624

Top meteo promised high cloudbases in Yorkshire, and they were right, well over 6000' and fantastic visibility to boot. Some excellent climbs over places not normally visited, like the chemical works at Grimsby which delivered 6 to 9kts! Had the feeling of the door closing behind us as we went round Littleport.

24-May

491

Dunstable

Bicester

13:51

14:20

0:29

26-May

492

R Markham

Bicester

Cinderford-Abergavenny-Cwmbran-Menai Strait

10:22

17:40

7:18

607

Windy. Blue. Easterly. Low inversion. What to do? Just for a laugh, declared downwind to the Pontypool ridges, wave to Anglesey then thermals home. Actually got to 1,000' short of Bicester on the way back. Low points: low in the Usk Valley wondering if it would work below the top, plus not quite making glide after a lot of effort. High point: leaving 5kts at 15K over Snowdonia, where there was lift all over the place, going up in circles like thermals plus climbing away from Talagarth where it was unfortunately too rough to launch. Was warned definitely NOT to land there! Fantastic views of an almost cloud-free Wales.

27-May

493

Steve

T Pridgeon

Bicester

Great Malvern O/R

11:29

13:47

2:18

164

Blue, very hot & sticky, slow grind to the Malverns had Tom feeling rather unwell and a preference to be back on the ground

28-May

494

R Homer

Bicester

13:19

18:00

4:41

420

Waited for quite a long time for the altocu and alstostratus to burn off as it was thinning to a point almost directly overhead. Retasked using the latest met. data which said mid-Wales should be nice. Some good climbs on the way out, went blue beyond Malvern so big deviation to the Shobon area to pick up a line running into the turn. Impressive clouds on the way north but thermals a bit sporadic. Took a cloud climb to 8K to get round the turn and out again. Made glide near Redditch, just inside the Birmingham airspace (thanks) after a glide out from Kidderminster. Could see the trough still active to the E with mega cu-nims.

28-May

495

Bicester

Dunstable

18:22

18:43

0:21

30-May

496

Rob

Dunstable

Ilsley-Bottesford-Bury St Edmunds

11:31

16:52

5:21

476

Good long look at the met data showed an area of reasonable conditions drifting east ahead of a weak front coming in. Not bad down to Ilsley but it was overcooking when we left. Somewhat blue to BOT but enough markers to make progress. Line of CBs just past the turn so glad we didn't go any further. Big clouds on the leg down to Bury but rather soft. Best thermals on the leg back home, until met another CB line crossing the track with just one gap in it near Bedford. Cloud climbed to well above glide then a couple of miles in rain (which washed the bugs off nicely) and back to LGC.

05-Jun

497

Steve

A Sampson

Dunstable

Long Mynd O/R

12:00

16:27

4:27

350

Had intended BIC-Lake Vyrnwy - Dun, had to use iron thermal at Bidford, conditions much better to the W. On return had a strategy discussion after BIC which resulted in another go with the engine.

09-Jun

498

Steve

T Stuart

Dunstable

Bath-Nympsfield

09:27

15:23

5:56

293

Under instruction from Trevor Stuart (lesson 1) on ridge flying the Chilterns & Cotswold ridges. Rounded BAT & reached NYM, at which point the wind, too much south in it, wouldn't support continuing north to LCL or returning to Bath, so lit up there

10-Jun

499

Rob

Dunstable

Saxthorpe-Lichfield-Crowland

10:24

17:17

6:53

552

Just on the edge of a sheet of altostratus at LGC but got away ahead. Not a bad run out to SAX, then followed a weak sea breeze to the Wash. Some cirrus coming and going making the climbs a bit variable but rounded Lichfield then good until Peterborough on the way home. Got a bit of a cloud climb but not enough. Faffed around for ages near Rushden as there was nothing on track and eventually got away. 1,200' over glide and was working out but hit bad air and light rain which slowly eroded the margin until we could see it wasn't going to work about 17km out.

15-Jun

500

Steve

P Rackham

Dunstable

Bicester-Bury St Edmunds

09:48

13:36

3:48

289

Paul Rackham writes: the right day to be offered the back seat in 13, even so it was tricky in places but never became impossible despite expectations. The air was much moister just to the north of the track line, so good task setting which made the most of the day.

18-Jun

501

S Haley

Dunstable

Bicester-Brecon-Walford-Cerrig-Bicester

11:37

18:51

7:14

571

Bit low and damp at LGC so remote start at Bicester. Spent most of the 1st leg in cloud, occasionally coming out below and not liking what I saw. Improved running into Wales but long glides between climbs and although there wasn't much wind, I found the thermals difficult. Also plenty of continuous sink in large areas! Lots of spreadout going in/out of Cerrig, then very slow past Birmingham on the way back as it was slowly cycling. Once on glide, much better and last climb to get back to LGC after finishing was 5kts at 1830.

19-Jun

502

Steve

Dunstable

Reedham-Tiverton

10:31

18:05

7:34

803

Downwind to Reedham in slowly improving conditions. Coming back, Cloudbase took a step up from Lakenheath, after then there were 4-5kts available to 5K+. Followed a convergence line across Somerset to Devon, glad we weren't going any further as low bases and showers ahead. On turning, realised that the planned 750km was actually a 791km! No problem as plenty of day left over for a fast return. I'd say there was 900km+ there but none of the forecasts were *that* promising.

20-Jun

503

Rob

P Hunt

Dunstable

Brecon-Andover-Bourne

10:31

17:02

6:31

561

Escaped from Central England before the spreadout. Variable bases, 3500' at Buckingham then 5600' at Cheltenham and just 4000' on the other side of the Severn. Excellent round Brecon to Andover. The run North towards Benson involved two long glides across a massive dead area. Then good conditions again until hitting a wall of rubbish beyond Bourne which prevented us making the last turn at the E** place.

25-Jun

504

Rob

Dunstable

Brecon-Craven Arms

11:52

16:52

5:00

446

Wales looked like the best part of the country on the forecast, which proved to be accurate. Bit low and slow on the way out but improved beyond Hereford with bases 4-4,500+. Thermals were OK but sheared a lot, even though the wind was light. Found some sort of convergence on the way home that appeared to have drifted north from the Severn Valley. Sat pic shows arc of good convection and the convergence. Task was a perfect fit.

30-Jun

505

Rob

Dunstable

Bedford-Devizes

12:39

16:45

4:06

297

Only just whipped up enough enthusiasm to fly at all. Quite good when got up there, 4,000+ & streeting. All fell apart near Oakley but a good save near Chalgrove. Persevered into wind in rather soft thermals then latched on to trough line/convergence - thought it might take us into the turn but not quite and would have been trapped by Salisbury plain on the way back. Circle-free run back home ahead of the rain. Looks like the only chance for a while so glad we made the most of it.

05-Jul

506

Rob

Dunstable

Abergavenny-Montgomery

11:59

18:19

6:20

451

Another triumph of tasksetting over common sense. Didn't look good on any of the forecasts so ignored them. 2,000' base to start, slowly improved on the way to Wales. Medium cover coming and going but some OK climbs where there was full sunshine. Gloomy around Abergavenny, so trickled in and out and just made a decent cloud near Hereford. Nice past Montgomery and the Mynd, nearly 5,000' but became trickier from Evesham onwards as the air became moister. Took the last cloud over Bicester for all it was worth and a neutral run home, for once. Like most of this year's flights, much effort required to get round, really needed two of us at times.

12-Jul

507

Rob

R Colbeck

Dunstable

Bungay-Saltby

10:10

15:00

4:50

418

Crept away with 2500 cloudbase which slowly rose to 3200 by Bungay, conditions improved around Downham Market onwards with 4500 bases and occ 5kt thermals. Last leg had the backdrop of the incoming front and the end of play but with the glide in the bag not a problem.

15-Jul

508

Steve

T Hutchings

Dunstable

Kidderminster-Grafham Water-Mursley

10:15

14:27

4:12

343

Excellent flight although spreadout ended our declared task fairly early on.

21-Jul

509

Rob

D Irvine

Dunstable

Gainsborough Power Station-Six Mile Bottom-Colsterworth

11:15

16:45

5:30

517

Fairly straightforward for a change, the initial low cloudbase improved to 4500' and some nice 5kt thermals to go with them. The approaching cirrus from the SW slowed us down on the last leg so we were probably flying in the best area before that.

22-Jul

510

Rob

L Duhaney

Dunstable

Docking-Abingdon-Stoney Stratford

11:08

16:56

5:48

423

Bullish start came to an abrupt end 55k from first TP, where high cloud rendered the route in unsoarable, waited patiently in the Marham area, and eventually snuck in and out. The band of cu and reasonable conditions extended to Oxford, which was just enough to get round Abingdon, though now too late to complete the whole flight.

27-Jul

511

Steve

A Paul

Dunstable

Bicester-Chedworth-Shepton Mallett

11:39

15:56

4:17

311

Remote start at Bicester got us away from the grunge at DUN. Initially nice run to Chedworth, small cu to c 4k, improving for a while heading SW until the Bath area where it got tricky and lower cloudbase. At Shepton Mallett, the cu and the lift stopped, presumably sea air, not forecast in my reading of Topmeteo - I need to understand this better.

28-Jul

512

Rob

J Jeffries

Dunstable

Whiddon Down O/R

10:35

17:14

6:39

528

Easy enough until reaching the Mendips, then crossed the levels with a climb overhead Yeovilton. Very good to Northill then overcast and grey into turn. Tiptoed in and out and not very high. The good area remained good though somewhat overdeveloped. Spent a long time finding cloudbase ahead of a long glide from Yeovil to Frome, after that excellent.

29-Jul

513

Steve

M Vowles

Dunstable

Little Rissington-Corby

09:22

12:20

2:58

266

First of the well publicized line of showers sat stubbornly over NLE, so turned LRI. Then spent much of the time picking routes through the increasing rain activity. Was about to abandon again at Northampton but found a cracking line alongside a line of showers. Great run in and out, then long glide with one save at Olney to get home. Then the heavens opened. Nice clean 13!!

30-Jul

514

M Jenkins

Dunstable

Hay-Welshpool-Talgarth-Telford

11:07

18:38

7:31

569

Not too bad on the run out, with base up to 4,500' from the Severn Valley onwards. Big showers over Talgarth so couldn't quite make it. Went on to do the rest of the task (Talgarth was OK 2nd time round), then got greedy for a bit of OLC up to Telford. Spent absolutely ages getting glide as no lift on a direct track to LGC, wandered around going backwards and forwards, eventually got THE thermal off Towcester.

09-Aug

515

Rob

A May

Dunstable

Didcot-Chatteris-Hereford

11:24

17:27

6:03

533

First hour was quite slow then things were great until we crossed the Malverns on the way to Hereford when all went rather soft. No real problems but took a lot out of the speed.

10-Aug

516

Steve

E Bittenbend

Dunstable

Sackville-Rougham-Hay-Bozeat

10:53

17:16

6:23

608

Air to the east was moister but ok. Good run back west after NMT, never blue as expected. At the Malverns a bit more tricky, but improved from Hereford on the way back for a really nice run with clouds lined up back to BOZ. A good fun day, maybe could have done another 50k.

31-Aug

517

Steve

T Rose

Dunstable

Didcot-St Catherine's Point-Oxford-Long Sutton

10:45

17:47

7:02

554

Slow til Portsmouth, lovely run over the island & back, then some improving conditions heading north til Peterborough where encroaching top cover from the NW dampened it down. But there were still climbs to be had. Last save at Wyton at about 5pm, when I thought it was over. Well done Trevor for arranging the day & all LGC pilots await their stick of rock. Tom Rose nagged me incessantly from the back to get on with it!

05-Sep

518

Rob

Dunstable

Boroughbridge O/R

11:29

17:21

5:52

507

Looked like it was going to be mostly blue down south, so declared a remote start at Lyveden to Catterick and back. Was OK after launching so just set off anyway - got more difficult N of Corby in the blue but improved beyond Grantham with 4-5kts to 5,000'. Not quite as good running into the turn, so abandoned. Not bad running home until Saltby, then picking up scraps. Last climb to make sure of glide surprisingly good. Glad we went north as we had 100Km of really nice conditions in both directions

04-Nov

519

Rob

R Puritz

Kiripotib

Reheboth-Maltahohe-Mariental

13:19

18:01

4:42

612

Late start after an overcast morning. Then a brilliant 2 hours of great climbs to 16,000'. Blue South of Maltahohe, suggested we return North and by now that area was filling with showers, found a way through towards Mariental the straightforward run home.

05-Nov

520

Rob

R Puritz

Kiripotib

Botswana-Haribes Dam Strip

12:35

18:51

6:16

768

Weather looked best to the NE and E, at least to start with. Crossed the border, it’s easy to see with a fence and track running endlessly North and South, conditions were good and I’m sure with more experience we’d go further. Southern part of Namibia was blue today, so ran the very tasty cumulus that sat just North of the blue area. Cloud base again reached 16000′.

06-Nov

521

Rob

R Puritz

Kiripotib

Gamsberg-Wohlzufrieden

13:07

18:08

5:01

536

We decided to focus on sightseeing today. The weather suggested a run out to the Gamsberg which sits on the edge of the Namibian plateau and then run along the edge to the South. In the event, it was blue all day but quite good, we reached 17,000′ about 30k before Gamsberg, but then lost 5,000′ before finding the next thermal, clearly Gamsberg itself was not a good area today, spectacular though the scenery was. So we scuttled off SE where we then ran back into better convection. This eventually gave us a relaxed 130km glide for an early finish. Rupert did most of today’s flight.

07-Nov

522

Rob

R Puritz

Kiripotib

SW Knee-Georga-Gobabis SW

13:23

18:52

5:29

699

Today the temperature reached 38, it’s been going up 2 degrees a day since we arrived, but it was blue and rather slow to go. We set off at 1320, and it took ages to grind up, but it was worth the effort as we reached cloud some 75k to the NE. Here we had a 10.3 average climb for 5000′ with the average reaching 16.5 kts for awhile. It also took us to 18,800′ (-5 outside) our highest cloud base so far. We flew to the Botswana border, some 250k from Kiripotib but we were not inclined to go further since the cumulus was getting rather congested so we did a couple of doglegs in the small good area in the NE before embarking on a 140km glide home.

08-Nov

523

Rob

R Puritz

Kiripotib

Karakobis, BW O/R with zigzag

12:12

18:45

6:33

815

It was blue in the Kiripotib area, but the forecast suggested good conditions in Botswana and the NE corner of the Namibian gliding area. After an hour of creeping through the blue we reached cumulus and climbs were now going to 15,000′ with 7 kts or so. The further we went NE the stronger conditions got especially after crossing into Botswana with cloud base here nearly 19,000′ and strong climbs to match. No problems apart from not getting the last rapid climb onto final glide, the chosen cloud collapsed as we reached it and so did several others as Namibia began to switch off with us still needing another 2000′ to get back. We got there but it probably cost us 20 minutes and a little unwanted stress.

09-Nov

524

Rob

M Haas

Kiripotib

Local

16:25

17:15

0:50

Local flight for Maika

10-Nov

525

Rob

R Puritz

Kiripotib

Spatzenfeld-Morester-Bitterwasser

13:07

18:33

5:26

689

NE again where the weather was, 50k to first cu, then good cu field towards Botswana, basess upto 17500', followed a good line into Botswana for a few mlles then ran to end of cu which by now was near Aranos then turned NW towards Reheboth. Last climb to 17500' over Bitterwasser, then dog leg final glide.

11-Nov

526

Rob

G Shrenk

Kiripotib

Pokweni-Reheboth-Blumfeld

14:32

17:03

2:31

311

Showers E and N, cirrus above, but got to sun W of Pokweni and climbed to 17500', ran edge of cb and cloud line past Reheboth and back. Short for flight for Ginny.

12-Nov

527

Rob

A Ishkanian

Kiripotib

West-East-West-East

12:20

17:50

5:30

513

Weather here cycles like most places. After the overcast day of yesterday, temperatures were a little down and the thermal activity a bit slow to go and the usable area a bit limited. The next 2 days at least should benefit from higher temperatures and larger flying area. The 2 photos show the sky at 3pm where the local cumulus finally developed with a base around 14000′ – very nice, but 2 hours later the sky shows overdevelopment, behind was blue so there was only a relatively narrow band of good weather.

14-Nov

528

Rob

A Ishkanian

Kiripotib

Gobabis-Aranos Pan-Witboois-Lekkewater-Intu Africa

11:17

19:09

7:52

982

We did actually fly well over 1000k today, but not within the rules of the OLC that measures such things. The good area was about 100k wide ahead of an unforecast shower line orientated NW/SE. Our flight took us behind the developing shower line and gave us the added problem of crossing through it. On the East side base was 13000′ – not bad, but on the West side it was over 18000′ with some excellent long runs. We stopped briefly on one of these runs to climb at 16.2kts for a thousand feet. The best rate we’ve seen so far.

15-Nov

529

Rob

A Ishkanian

Kiripotib

Koes-Cowdray-Witboois-Gravenstein

11:23

18:57

7:34

1119

I learnt a few lessons from yesterday and managed to exploit the subtle dry/wet line across Namibia. It was obvious yesterday because of the line of showers that developed, today no showers but a slightly higher cloud base on one side than the other. Several hours of flying 90-100kts, stopping only when the averager was above 10kts. Stunning stuff and the best day here so far. Managed a wapping 1119 km at 154 kph, the speed was up to 165 kph until we traded speed for kilometres at the end.

16-Nov

530

Rob

A Ishkanian

Kiripotib

Buitepos O/R

11:53

16:57

5:04

538

There was supposed to be cu in the NE of the gliding area today. In the event it was blue right up to the Botswana border where a dramatic line of showers ran from horizon to horizon. We just went far enough to get the glider wet and run the front edge for 30 minutes or so and then run back the 250km back to Kiripotib. A short task after yesterday and Al did most of the flying.

17-Nov

531

Rob

A Ishkanian

Kiripotib

Gobabis - Aminuis area

13:22

18:39

5:17

706

A bit of lethargy crept in with the assembled pilots, with another blue day expected. So lunch was taken by all. As it was Al’s last day we were going fly whatever. You could just see cu about 75k from here, and after a number of blue thermals we reached the cu, and very good too, taking us straight to 15,000′ and later 17,000′. Managed to find a couple of excellent runs, one down to Aminuis and back and another to Great Ums and back.

18-Nov

532

Rob

J Bridge

Kiripotib

SW Knee - Border - Klein Aub - Bitterwasser

11:19

18:30

7:11

915

We were expecting only cu in the NE again, but although there was a few km in the blue to start, the whole sky then blossomed with good cu. Then having flown to and along the Botswana/Namibia border we headed West and found cu right up to the edge of the plateau. Excellent day. We did 915k before landing early. So 1000k was there for the taking and some did.

19-Nov

533

Rob

J Bridge

Kiripotib

Intu Africa-Barrow-Border-Reheboth-Stampriet

11:29

19:04

7:35

1010

There was not much enthusiasm today, with lots of cirrus and strong winds forecast. However, John Bally was keen and left rather early in the blue, we followed about 40 minutes later. We both struggled a bit in the blue particularly around Bitterwasser. We decided to head NE towards some cu, this developed into a marvellous pair of streets taking us to the Botswana border and back. On the return we managed a glide of 168km at 181kph losing no height. This meant that a 1000k was possible. The only problem was that all before us was turning to showers, we managed to work the showers to our advantage now out to the West near Reheboth before a nice developing run SE again gave us the height to achieve another 1000k.

22-Nov

534

Rob

J Bridge

Kiripotib

NE-Gerbaud-Derm-Cowdray

12:17

18:07

5:50

526

The skies were very cloudy over Namibia again today. However, there were enough gaps to produce blue thermals and we had a reasonable flight(526k). The picture shows how the sky looked, the cloud (altocu) was around 16,000′ and produced no lift whilst the thermals topped out around 13,000′, but we did find the odd good thermal that just made it to the cloud layer. Quite unusual

23-Nov

535

Rob

J Bridge

Kiripotib

Gravenstein O/R

12:23

13:45

1:22

140

The run of poor days continues. We did fly today but with showers and thunderstorms right on the doorstep of Kiripotib, we decided to land early and watch the flashes and bangs from the ground.

24-Nov

536

Rob

J Bridge

Kiripotib

Gravenstein-Bush Break-Nossab S-Kentucky-Onderompapa

10:58

18:51

7:53

891

Had a nice day today in the company of John Bally in another EB28. The weather threw some problems at us, like a large shower area that required circumnavigating a couple of times. Cloud base was low by Namibian standards generally around 12,000′.

25-Nov

537

Rob

J Thompson

Kiripotib

Julia-Bitterwasser-Gravenstein

14:16

17:28

3:12

278

The troublesome weather of the last few days has disappeared, and with it any clouds at all. It was completely blue over the whole of the gliding area. Most people chose not to fly, so John Thompson and myself had a pleasant afternoon doing a short task with John getting to grips with the EB28. There were plenty of 3-4kts to over 10,000′ so not bad really.

26-Nov

538

Rob

J Thompson

Kiripotib

Gamsberg and Namib

12:17

17:28

5:11

631

The only cu in the Namibian gliding area today was right up in the NW corner, near the Gamsberg. Beyond there was cu to die for, 18,000′ base stretching out over the Namib Desert to the NW. The problem is that outside the gliding area you are restricted to 14,500′. We followed a cloud street over the Namib Desert towards the coast and only turned back as the Walvis Bay TMA became an obstacle. The ensuing glide keeping below 14,500′ in stonking conditions took us 233km without circling and at 190kph. No one here can remember being able to fly in this area before – extraordinary.

27-Nov

539

Rob

J Thompson

Kiripotib

Gamsberg-Sossuvlei-Solitaire

12:44

17:54

5:10

662

Having said how rare it is to fly over the Namib Desert. The weather today was a repeat of yesterday, totally blue over the gliding area but with fabulous cu over the Namib Desert (that’s the bit between the sea and the Namibian plateau) and we had a second flight over it!

28-Nov

540

Rob

J Thompson

Kiripotib

Gerbaud-Aus-Gamsberg+OLC

10:06

19:12

9:06

1302

Another good day, long and with cu allowed us to make a massive flight from one end of the gliding area to other, routing 370km along the Namib escarpment and back. Knocked up 1300km at 145kph, so not a bad day though I am knackered.

30-Nov

541

Rob

J Thompson

Kiripotib

Gerbaud-Helmeringhausen-Kalkrand Pan (L/O)

10:08

16:30

6:22

744

We set off early on an adventurous task to the SW, but we soon found cloud base to be low and reluctant to rise, also the cu that formed just kept growing until we were slowly surrounded by showers and thunderstorms. In the build up we had travelled nearly 300km to the SW. The gaps to cross on the way back were enormous and for the first time we had to start the engine. We did this over Kalkrand Pan, somewhere we could have landed if the engine didn’t start for some reason, it did and a few minutes later we were back in strong lift. The picture shows us skirting round a boiling thunderstorm near Helmeringhausen. The forecasts are quite sophisticated and detailed, however, the underlying data is often poor which gives rise to some surprises, like today.

01-Dec

542

Rob

J Thompson

Kiripotib

Auob Lodge O/R

10:58

15:11

4:13

434

The sky at 10am was full of large cu, a sure sign that the day was going to overdevelop. We launched at 1010 with JT flying we drifted down to Auob Lodge around 190 to the SE. I flew Northwards, flying 168k without throwing a circle. By which time showers and thunderstorms were developing around us. After crossing a line which doused us in heavy rain accompanied by a several flashes, we chose to return early and celebrate John’s week of gliding with a few beers.

02-Dec

543

Rob

T Mills

Kiripotib

Triple yoyo SE

10:14

18:38

8:24

1010

After yesterday’s sky full of cumulus by 10am, everyone launched around 10am today, unfortunately there was no cu at all, the weak thermals not going particularly high, anyway we drifted off to the SE helped by a 20kt tailwind. 2 hours later we were still sweating in broken blue thermals miles from home over some random dunes. Then finally some cu appeared about 30k to the NE, once we reached the cu a great day began with a very good energy line along the border between the blue and cu area. In spite of the slow start we just managed a 1000km. Trevor’s first flight in Namibia.

03-Dec

544

Rob

T Mills

Kiripotib

Gamsberg-Pokweni

13:35

18:02

4:27

428

Today was blue and very hot, most elected not to fly. However, it was a good day for Trevor to practice handling the EB28. We made our way out to the Gamsberg, at 8000′ the highest mountain in the gliding area. It is situated right up in the NW corner and on the edge of the escarpment.

04-Dec

545

Rob

T Mills

Kiripotib

Gerbaud-Abm Gibeon-Keitzaub-Judea

10:35

18:26

7:51

828

Today, the general recommendation was to fly West then South along the escarpment and return the same way. In the event we did, but found only really scrappy broken thermals in a very strong wind. We battled with these for some hours before deciding to run for home. Only then did we find a strong cumulus field extending from Bitterwasser to the NE. Anyone flying just in this area will have done rather well. Anyway it went some way to making up for the sweat we’d had earlier.

05-Dec

546

Rob

T Mills

Kiripotib

Botswana-Gochas-Lekkewater-Mariental

11:29

18:58

7:29

1040

A big triangle into Botswana and the South was planned. Although conditions were good going to Botswana, they soon weakened and cloud base dropped in Botswana. We abandoned the set task and flew SWestwards, this was a good line and after a while the clouds parallel and to our NW started showering. Trevor took a climb before the shower line and I took it through a gap in the showers, this worked well allowing us to climb to 16500′ from 13000′ in a straight line until we reached the sunny West side. Here was an incredible shelf of cloud about 5km wide giving lift from Windhoek for at least 200km to the South. Some stats for the day; Best climb 7,700′ at 8.2 kts, best glide 429km at 195kph, taking 2 hours and 13 minutes, from Trevor’s thermal until we landed in fact. A remarkable flight and another 1000km flight.

07-Dec

547

Rob

T Mills

Kiripotib

Abm Gibeon-Isabis-Keetmanshoop-Gerbaud

10:16

19:13

8:57

1236

Having had a day off when someone managed 1400km we thought we’d better make of an effort today. So an early start and a long leg to the South to start then a return to the NW, hoping that a good energy line would develop along the escarpment. It did but not a classic, we did have a pretty good run down to near Keetmanshoop and North again. We passed the Brukeros Crater which you can see on our picture.

08-Dec

548

Rob

T Mills

Kiripotib

Moscow-Isabis-Esc-Isabis

11:30

18:54

7:24

1029

This was a day for Trevor really, and he flew a very nice 200km first leg to a delightfully named TP of Moscow (an isolated Farm in the dunes), a good run opened up to the NW which we followed and it seemed possible that we could post another 1000km flight. We used a good line on the edge of the escarpment for 150k or so and this did indeed produce our 8th 1000+ flight of the trip and Trevor has had 4 this week!

09-Dec

549

Rob

Steve

Kiripotib

Gobabis-Bullsprit-Gerbaud-Kentani

12:27

18:24

5:57

786

Overcast skies greeted Steve’s first day at Kiripotib, but by midday cu began to appear and we launched for a short flight. We took in Gobabis and then flew to the escarpment, by which time we had a cloud base over 16,000′ and Steve was in ecstasy with the fantastic fat juicy Namibian thermals. I sense another photofest about to occur!

10-Dec

550

Steve

Rob

Kiripotib

Wilkskrand-Ncojane-Lekkewater

10:38

17:32

6:54

778

Set a 1000k with a promising forecast, but after 2 hours of flying NE it was still blue, we kept expecting cu to pop around us at any moment. However, we had to go some way in to Botswana to reach cu (about 250km in total). Turning S we finally had a nice run along a line of good cu. Turning back in to Namibia with a promising line of high based cu, it started fine but it soon became apparent that it was going blue and weakening and the wind was also increasing. However, it continued to work in the blue and we made it back without too much effort. Steve did all the hard work and I just barracked from the rear seat for a change.

12-Dec

551

Steve

Rob

Kiripotib

Isabis-Sossusvlei-Klein Aub

11:50

16:40

4:50

602

Steve writes (Rob edits) “We took off into a sky that would have suited the UK, struggling initially up to 3000′ above inhospitable terrain. After a while of getting no higher, my comment to Rob was ‘this is not good’, and then I got a climb. Conditions improved slowly as we flew with Bandar and John to the West, and joined a convergence which provided a fantastic run for me, a new experience guided by Rob, over terrain which became increasingly fantastic. Brilliant mountains below and the Namib desert to the west, I was just gobsmacked! I took a few snaps while Rob took us down and back around our southernmost TP near Sossusvlei. Coming back the showers became more of an issue, and once again, my personal training captain guided me through walls of cloud onto a flat 200k final glide back to Kiripotib, which was thankfully clear of rain. He tells me we had a glide angle of 1:86. It looked like it! Not the big number yet, but brilliant entertainment!”

13-Dec

552

Steve

Rob

Kiripotib

Abm Gibeon-Tsumis-Julia

10:38

17:32

6:54

762

Yesterday Namibia, unusually, found itself in the centre of a low pressure which produced some heavy showers. We still managed a great flight as you have read, but it flooded the pan at Pokweni and made the pan at Bitterwasser very sticky. No such problems at Kiripotib but the morning cu were extremely low (around 3000′agl) and that is very low for Namibia. We tiptoed Southbound over some inhospitable terrain. It took 3 hours before normal service was resumed with cloud base rising to 12,000′ and soon after 16,000′. Steve did 750km in this which was quite respectable.

14-Dec

553

Steve

Rob

Kiripotib

Guamus-Gravenstein-Kamelduin-Gravenstein-Jenas

10:58

19:09

8:11

1012

Reasonable forecast albeit over a narrow area, running N/S. A strong Northerly meant towing all the gliders 2 miles to the end of 36 and a late start. Anyway, we had decided to do a couple of runs in the better conditions which we did and it provided Steve with the magic number. His first 1000km flight.

15-Dec

554

Rob

Steve

Kiripotib

Bush Breaks-Julia-Antares

11:08

17:40

6:32

752

A good forecast, but the weather took a long time to shape up today. It took 2 hours before any cu appeared, then in certain areas great cu and cloud base that reached 15,000′. Still a nice flight for Steve to end on

16-Dec

555

Rob

Kiripotib

Gerbaud-Helmingerhausen-Gerbaud-Robin

10:27

19:05

8:38

1168

Today was Ed’s first day and conditions were pretty good. Cloud base soon reached 13,000′ and the escarpment produced a little of it’s magic. We flew a total of 1168kms by using the good runs along the escarpment a couple of times. On the second trip southbound we encountered a couple of large showers and today’s picture shows the first of these. The Namib desert is visible to the right.

18-Dec

556

J Bally

Kiripotib

Gerbaud-Klipdrif

11:25

18:04

6:39

961

I managed to put my back out yesterday helping John Bally derig his gliders. So Ed flew without me and John took the rear seat for a change. They had a good flight, though they were dodging showers on the escarpment, but there were also good climbs to compensate. We had a big thunderstorm just to the North of Kiripotib, it’s still flashing and rumbling as I type this, so they cut short their flight a bit and posted just under a 1000k.

19-Dec

557

Rob

Kiripotib

Gams Farm-Bethanien-Tivoli-Kub

10:39

18:30

7:51

1103

Only a few showers forecast for late on. We set off towards the Gamsburg fairly early and for a change the early thermals took us to 13,000′ – it was going to be a good day. We planned and flew from Gamsburg to Bethanian (NW corner of the soaring area to the SW corner, more or less, and a distance of 380km) this route follows the escarpment and will often produce an energy line, not today though. However, the 10kt climbs and 16,000′ cloud base made up for that. More showers than expected formed in the North and we got back in to Kiripotib with a thunderstorm going off a few miles to the North, but no problems.

20-Dec

558

Rob

Kiripotib

Gerbaud-Bethanien-Maltahohe-Derm

10:43

18:42

7:59

1001

For the third day in a row we were faced with a similar forecast, the only difference was that the Escarpment convergence should work today and the eastern side was to go to shower with low cloud base. We planned accordingly and went the full length of the gliding area from North to South looking vainly for the elusive convergence – it didn’t happen. There were good climbs and cloud base around 15,000′ so it was still a good run. Then turning northbound the sky filled with showers, which we managed to negotiate only to hear that the Kiripotib had thunderstorms and showers all around. Squeaked another 1000k.. just.

21-Dec

559

Rob

Kiripotib

Mata Mata-Morester-Gravenstein-Judea

10:53

18:45

7:52

1032

We set out on an FAI 1000km triangle, the first leg was great and we turned a random point 380kms from Kiripotib. Our Northbound leg started well, with a TP in Botswana, but after a 100km or so, conditions weakened and with some large showers that cleared lift out of large areas our 2nd TP was not possible. We returned to Kiripotib early and, yes, we clocked up another 1000kms.

23-Dec

560

Rob

Kiripotib

Helmeringhausen-Reheboth-Witbooisvlei

10:53

17:58

7:05

1024

We headed SW, with a strong tailwind and low cloud base (by Namibian standards) and were rewarded by a long cloud street of large clouds that were on their way being showers. But getting under them at the right moment gave us a very fast first leg of 300kms at 175kph. Heavy showers persuaded us to head North, and we had a pretty good leg to Reheboth. It was all about seeking out lines of energy today, as the day collapsed fairly early with huge dead areas caused by the massive showers. So it was particularly pleasing to get such a long flight in (1024k at 149kph).

25-Dec

561

Rob

Kiripotib

Great Ums-Reheboth-Witbooisvlei-Reheboth-Haribes Dam strip

10:35

19:03

8:28

1042

A soft start, but the showers and thunderstorms have moved East and a nice Namibian day ensued. A couple of long runs helped us to a reasonably quick 1000k flight. An interesting way to spend Christmas day.

26-Dec

562

Rob

Kiripotib

Onderompapa-Haribes Dam strip-Reheboth

12:36

18:38

6:02

759

The cu was limited to Botswana and the Northern part of the gliding area. So we managed a 750km triangle just keeping in the cumulus. Having been told two days ago that the thunderstorms had retreated Eastwards to their proper place, we were surprised as a line developed with a spectacular display of lightning just a few kms to the NE of us.

27-Dec

563

Rob

Kiripotib

Karakobis, BW-Morester

11:12

19:27

8:15

943

Most of the gliding area was blue today, in spite of the record temperatures (38.5 at Kiripotib). After 2 hours grinding in very high cockpit temperatures and not above 3500′agl, we finally reached cu in the NorthEast. Then some good climbs and a nice cool cloud base of 13,000′. No real problems after that apart from a limited area to fly in. Clocked just over 900k even so.

29-Dec

564

Rob

Kiripotib

Otjimbingwe-Kante

11:09

19:04

7:55

1113

There was a possibility of flying a convergence along the escarpment, which is always exciting and stunning with scenery. So we contrived a flight to make the most of it. It involved flying West of Windhoek and crossing an airway, with my best R/T we achieved all this and ended up with a flight over 1100km over some amazing scenery. Also a cloud base of 18,000′ made it all the more interesting. Ed’s last flight here and a great one. He’s had 10 flights and averaged over 1000km for each of them – not bad.

31-Dec

565

Rob

R Colbeck

Kiripotib

Gerbaud-Kamelduin-Reheboth-Witbooisvlei-Gravenstein

10:57

19:07

8:10

1062

A lot of shower acitivity forecast to the North West, so we headed there first and had good climbs to 13,000′ and 100kms of convergence, but each time you looked around it felt like the door was closing behind you, you certainly couldn’t reverse your course. What made a long flight possible was a narrow band, maybe only 20km wide that remained well proportioned and gave good climbs between Kiripotib and Mariental. To the West, showers, to the East almost blue.

567:18

59016

Time

Flts

2012

Rob

434:03

47869

Steve

130:32

11664

191:22

21810

567:18

100

59016

Engine TT (hr)

13:00

E/G

2.29

Time

Flts

2011

Rob