Mission From Moir's

Whatever happened to Spring? Not even a hint of a flyable weekend. Lets hope it happens soon.

Spring is in the air. Still no flying other than to Sydney, Australia and back for a couple of weeks holiday. Similar weather over there except slightly warmer during the day.

Apart from a hurricane and endless rain, July was a normal winter month.

Winter arrives with vengeance. Shorter, colder, wetter, windier days have come. At least we are over the hill on the way to Summer.

No chance to fly this month. When it wasn't too strong it was too light. Of course during the working week was best with the weekends usually no go.

Today isn't going to be great thermalling day but I might get in some ridge soaring, and I will even try a new (to me) launch technique using the A and C risers. The wind at launch is SSW averaging 10 to 12 knots, close to ideal for me. The new technique is great, I feel like I have control of the wing, being able to bring it up slowly without over flying, even taking it back down from half way up, I'm not pulled all over launch, I'm sold. There is only weak lift, and I scratch to 130 m above launch and spend about 25 minutes mucking around. Another successful top landing along with an improved launch technique make for a short but pleasant day.

The wind is stronger today, probably near the top of my skill range. Looks like it will be ridge soaring, and I'm confident I can safely push my skill envelope out a little bit without over doing it. I am pleasantly surprised how well I handle the launch on the first attempt in complete control. Then quickly I find myself 200 m above launch and notice there is a definitely strengthening wind the higher you go. Not making headway at trim (around 35 km/hr) I am on the speed bar. Spending the next hour trying to stay out in front, with the occasional attempt at top landing (as if). I push out, and to my amazement, gain attitude ending up around 460 m above the LZ. Safely on the ground I am not suprised to see that no-one else has launched.