The Oz Report

The Airborne Gulgong XC Classic – day 3

(This topic is in: <- Nov.23 Nov.21 Nov.20 Nov.19 Nov.18 Nov.17 --> )

Partials results from the second day:

1Rohan Holtkamp Airborne Climax C2 14
2Ricky Duncan Airborne Climax C2 14
3Dave Seib Moyes Litespeed
4Steve Moyes Moyes Lightspeed
5Davis Straub Airborne Climax C2 14
23 others.

Total results after two tasks:

1Ricky Duncan Airborne Climax C2 14
2Steve Moyes Moyes Lightspeed
3Rohan Holtkamp Airborne Climax C2 14
4Davis Straub Airborne Climax C2 14
5Dave Seib Moyes Litespeed
23 others

There is a trough right over us and that has brought about outstanding conditions.  Light winds and very high cloud bases.  I hear that cloud base today was over 14,000'.  The legal limit for hang gliding in Australia is 10,000'.  I sure didn't get that high today.

A complex butterfly shaped task was called today with a total length of 138 kilometers.  The idea was that if you got tired you could land back at goal on the second, third, or fourth leg.

I stuffed up today (started late and landed way short), so my report will basically be what I heard about the flights from others.

Pilots got high and got to goal (they weren't too talkative).  I can't really go into details about how high they were getting as it is very unusual to have such a high cloud base and such strong thermals – but so fat at the same time here in Australia.  One pilot came across the goal line at 5,500' AGL.  It was hard to get down.

We heard that some pilots were super high at the third turn point and from there it would have been a glide to goal.  In fact they were in a convergence zone going to the third and fourth turnpoints and then going to goal.  One pilot never turned after heading toward the third turnpoint.

Spoke with Oli.  He said that he started as high as possible at the start window at 2:10 PM (he was half an hour before the main gaggle).  Out on his own he took a safety thermal half way to the first turnpoint.

Oli lost one glove and it got down to 2 degrees centigrade up high.  He didn't think that he could finish the flight.

He got a couple of thermals before the second turnpoint averaging 900 fpm.  Attila who is here just to try for some triangles mentioned seeing 1,500 fpm average at times.

Going to the third turnpoint Oli got under a high cloud and got up real high again and then it was a glide to the third turnpoint.  The convergence line was too east for him to get into it.  It moved later to the west in perfect position for the pilots behind him.  So Oli was stuck for a while climbing slowly.

He mistakenly stayed out of the convergence, the cloud street, thinking that he could make the fourth turnpoint and goal, but there was too much sink to the west of the convergence zone.  The pilots behind him stayed under the cloud street and where able to stay high and beat him to goal.

Oli launching on Monday.

Sorry, no results yet from day 3.

Flying the Airborne Climax C2 14

(This topic is in: <- Nov.21 Nov.20 Nov.19 -> )

Three good launches and three easy landings today in the C2.  One of the landings was in no wind and it was without any dramas.

Had a few adjustments today on the C2.  With a few twists Shannon got rid of the right turn.  Ricky moved the hang point forward one hole and Shannon took the sprogs down one notch.  There was still a solid feeling and plenty of bar pressure at all VG settings.

Still wasn't able to get the wing to fly straight, but it was better.  It is difficult learning and competing at the same time.

Launching on Monday.  Photo by Oli.

First launch got off at 200 feet as I had the VG on too tight and the glider was going off to one side.  Quick turn and good landing into the slight head wind.

I was launching right after Steve and right before Ricky, so I was perfectly placed, but after landing I was the last one in line.

Second launch, pinned off at 800' in 600 fpm, got to 4,000' AGL and then mysteriously lost it all searching for better.  Landed 3 kilometers north of the field.

Daveo came over on the trike, and pulled me out as I ran behind him in a no wind foot launch.  He went right into 600 fpm and I pinned off at 1,000'.  Took it to 7,500'.  For some reason didn't find much lift again and landed at the first turn point.

The really interesting thing about hang gliding competitions is that they provide numerous opportunities to relearn humility.

The C2 feels real solid and my only problem is learning to fly it straight.  Haven't not flown a topless flex wing in many years (did have one 35 mile flight on a Litspeed a couple of years ago, and a few demo flights on the WW Talon), I just don't have the touch.

Retractable bridle

(This topic is in: Nov.20 Nov.19 Nov.17 -> )

Peter Kestel <peter_kestel> writes:

This design has been tested in the field & works very well.  It is the latest evolution of a design that has seen the input from many pilots.  It is a 1:1 system that uses a front cord release.  Variations of the design allow for 2:1, however the release cord must then be tied onto the base bar, & pulled in separately.  This is because the release cord must end up being the same length as the bridle if they are both to be pulled in together.  I am only too happy to answer any queries.

2003 XC/Competition calendar

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