Oz Report
topic: Peter "Pebo" Bolton (22 articles)
Forbes and More under water »
The second flood in two weeks
flood|Peter "Pebo" Bolton|video
«Peter Bolton» sends:
News is that the latest flood has now peaked at Forbes – at a water level of about 10.7m, which is just below the all-time record of 10.8m from 1952 – but the water will only drop away slowly. Other places/ towns in country NSW have also been flooded - See https://thenewdaily.com.au/news/state/nsw/2022/11/17/forbes-bracing-historic-flooding/ (This is only 2 weeks after the last flood).
Here’s an interview with a Forbes local – with a video of traveling around town – in a boat - https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-11-17/forbes-resident-describes-flooding-devastation/101665188.
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3 topics in this article: flood, Peter "Pebo" Bolton, video
More flooding in Forbes »
Climate change is real
climate|flood|meteorology|Peter "Pebo" Bolton
Peter Bolton sends;
https://indaily.com.au/news/2022/11/15/evacuation-order-as-forbes-faces-second-round-of-flooding/
Evacuation order as Forbes faces second round of flooding
The State Emergency Service issued the evacuation warning, saying the Lachlan River is rising faster than anticipated and people needed to get out by 7am this morning or risk being cut off.
There were 120 warnings in place across the state, including 24 at emergency level and more than 12 evacuation centres have been established.
The Bureau of Meteorology said major flooding would occur at Forbes from early on Tuesday and water levels would peak around 10.8 metres on Wednesday – similar to the level reached in the June 1952 flood.
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4 topics in this article: climate, flood, meteorology, Peter "Pebo" Bolton
Flooding in Forbes »
Close to the all time record
climate|Peter "Pebo" Bolton|weather
«Peter Bolton» sends:
Forbes is now flooding (again) and forecast to peak tonight – the worst for 70 years!
Forbes flood water level peaked last night at 10.66m (just below the all-time record of 10.8m from 1952). Large areas around town still inundated
Several pics here - https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/floods-waters-rise-in-forbes-20221105-h27nhz.html
Forbes water levels are starting to recede, but a body has been discovered downstream. Peak level of 10.7m was just below the record from 1952, but the worst since 1990. Triggered by the 3rd year of “La Nina” weather patterns over the Pacific.
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3 topics in this article: climate, Peter "Pebo" Bolton, weather
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Deer Run
June 14, 2017, 7:07:53 MST -0600
The little things
Facebook|Peter Bolton|video
https://www.facebook.com/deerrunmedia/videos/1127059754028586/
Thanks to Peter Bolton.
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3 topics in this article: Facebook, Peter Bolton, video
Clouds »
May 22, 2017, 8:51:53 EST -0400
Clouds
In Australia
Chris Nagel|Facebook|Peter Bolton|photo
Roll cloud at Venus Bay, South Australia’s Eyre Peninsula.
Thanks to Peter Bolton
Melbourne, Australia (Flinders Street Railway Station).
Thanks to Chris Nagel.
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4 topics in this article: Chris Nagel, Facebook, Peter Bolton, photo
Wake turbulence from wind turbines
September 28, 2016, 10:18:30 MST -0600
Wake turbulence from wind turbines
In Australia
Peter Bolton|PG
Peter Bolton <<pbolt>> writes:
I’ve recently become interested in investigating wake turbulence from wind turbines. We have several wind farms in South Australia. I wrote an article for the SA Airspace Users Group and it was published by the (Aus) HGFA ‘Skysailor’ magazine. The article, “Wake Effects of Wind Turbines,” can be found on page 38 of the Sept/Oct 2016 edition - http://www.hgfa.asn.au/skysailor/e-issues/Skysailor 2016-09.pdf
It seems that there has been very little research into this and what there has been was aimed more at GA-type aircraft. It seems that perhaps the UK’s CAA have gone the furthest to acknowledging that wake turbulence from wind turbines can be a problem to very light aircraft and gliders, etc.
Admittedly, it’s very difficult to measure/quantify turbulence or to define how much turbulence would be a problem to us. This is why actual descriptions are required from pilots who have experienced this. I don’t want it to take a fatality to prove a point.
I’d be interested to hear any reports from hang gliding, paragliding, or trike/ultralight pilots who have flown/landed downwind of wind turbines and lived to tell the tale. I think that the Oz Report Forum would be a good place for hang gliding, paragliding, or trike pilots to make such reports, after an initial mention in the Oz Report.
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2 topics in this article: Peter Bolton, PG
Balloon - world circumnavigation success »
Made it back to Western Australia in eleven days Australia
balloon|Facebook|Peter Bolton|record
Peter Bolton «Peter Bolton» sends story here.
Russian adventurer Fedor Konyukhov has broken the record for the fastest circumnavigation of the Earth in a hot air balloon in just over 11 days, landing safely in WA's Wheatbelt.
Mr Konyukhov, who set off from Western Australia's Avon Valley on July 12, landed near the small town of Bonnie Rock about 4.30pm (WST).
https://www.facebook.com/airsports.fai/posts/1100658333322180
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4 topics in this article: balloon, Facebook, Peter Bolton, record
Balloon - world circumnavigation attempt »
Started from South Australia
balloon|Peter Bolton|record|weather
Peter Bolton «Peter Bolton» writes:
Russian balloonist and adventurer Fedor Konyukhov is making an attempt to repeat & possibly break Steve Fossett’s world record for circumnavigation of the globe by balloon. There is a tracker – (updated every 10 minutes) on his website http://konyukhov.ru/en/index.html
He launched from Northam in SW WA on Tuesday (12th) morning – the same place as Steve Fossett launched from. As of Wednesday evening (CST), he was over the South Australian desert at about 6750m (~ 22,000ft) asl, travelling at about 47km/h in -18°C. He’s only been averaging about this speed thus far – which is nowhere near fast enough to beat Fossett’s record (of ~ 13 days 8hrs).
It looks like he should have a chance to get into a fast-moving jet stream on Thursday. (I think this is essential to have any chance at the record). See http://www.micklehamweather.com/wxjetstream.php
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4 topics in this article: balloon, Peter Bolton, record, weather
Death of the HGFA President
Death of the HGFA President
At the Western Australia Hang Gliding State Titles
Peter Bolton|video
Peter Bolton <<pbolt>> writes:
According to this sad news on the homepage of the HGFA website http://www.hgfa.asn.au/ - Sun Nickerson – the HGFA President died late on Sunday (29th Feb). He had been taking part in the WA Hang Gliding State Titles comp and was found on the ground and was taken to hospital by ambulance. This local media report appears to be of the same event - http://www.news.com.au/national/western-australia/male-hang-glider-found-unconscious-in-was-wheatbelt/news-story/55c160f5f31cad47b8d66cdb8a647486?sv=bf355e1a43120c633464788879fafac7.
I didn’t know Sun, but he was good enough to phone me once re HGFA business. He had been active on HG committees (state and national) for some years. He liked making hang gliding videos and will be sadly missed.
It is with deep regret that I inform you of the death of Sun Nickerson, HGFA President. It appears Sun suffered a stroke whilst flying in the WA Championships yesterday. Sun has contributed greatly to the HGFA, serving on the board for almost 6 years. His conciliatory approach has always helped calm the waters of change and progress. He will be greatly missed by many. Bye Sun., all the skies are yours now.
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2 topics in this article: Peter Bolton, video
South Australia's Coast Run
South Australia's Coast Run
Late winter run
Peter Bolton|PG|photo
Peter Bolton <<pbolt>> writes:
Pictures taken on recent South Australia coastal flight of about 23km from Cape Jervis to near Normanville. Finishers of the ‘Coast Run’ that day with me were Paul Kelley (Rev 14.5), who took the pictures from his wingtip cam (see bottom of the web page); also Barry Hazelwood (Shark 156) – who did this ‘Coast Run’ flight for the first time (after many years of flying hang gliders and trikes). Young Harrison Rowntree also flew at Cape Jervis this day, but top-landed after he couldn’t get his glider to perform to requirements.
Pictures here.
This section of the Fleurieu Peninsula faces west north west and these winds come to South Australia most commonly in pre-frontal conditions in winter. There haven’t been many occasions this year when this Coast Run has been possible. South Australia's hang glider and paraglider pilots like this coastal flying in winter and early spring, when the landscape is still green and more scenic. Thanks to Theresa for driving for us and to Paul Kelley for providing the vehicle. The flight started here at Cape Jervis, south of Adelaide.
Pictures here.
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3 topics in this article: Peter Bolton, PG, photo
The Buzz
The Buzz
Flex wings lift loads
Peter Bolton
http://royalsociety.org/news/2013/bees-flexible-wings-lift-loads/
New research published today in Proceedings of the Royal Society B demonstrates that the secret of bumblebees’ capacity for lifting relatively heavy loads lies in the flexibility of their wings.
A bumblebee with pieces of glitter stiffening its flexible vein joints. ©Andrew Mountcastle
Harvard University scientists manipulated the wings of live insects to investigate how wing deformations affected bumblebee aerodynamics. They found that wing flexibility enhances vertical force production, and thus how much weight bees can lift while in flight.
Insect wings are flexible structures that passively bend and twist during flight. Only recently has insect flight research explored the aerodynamic consequences of flexible wing deformations. However, results from robotic models have contradicted those of computational models on whether wing deformations enhance or diminish aerodynamic force production.
Thanks to Peter Bolton.
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1 topic in this article: Peter Bolton
Cape Jervis Coast Runs
Cape Jervis Coast Runs
Clips
Peter Bolton|video
Paul Kelley writes:
Mark Tyminski, Michael Hazelwood, Ralph Knobloch, Ross Wilkinson, Peter Bolton & Steve Papai
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2 topics in this article: Peter Bolton, video
Australia has an eagle problem
Australia has an eagle problem
And at least one pilot is looking for your help
Peter Bolton
Peter Bolton <<pbolt>> writes:
Do you - or any of your readers – know of any effective means of scaring off eagles (or other birds) from a hang glider? (As you’re probably aware, in Australia we often suffer from attacks and sail damage by aggressive and territorial wedge-tailed eagles). I’ve heard a few theories as to what to do: imitate their screech back at them or screech first, etc. I’ve tried these, but can’t say if it really worked. Has anyone had any success with any particular method or device?
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1 topic in this article: Peter Bolton
June South Australia coastal flying
The coastal run over water
(Cape Jervis South Australia, Australia)
Ian Horne|Miguel "Flying Dutchman" de Jong|Peter Bolton|PG|record|video
June South Australia coastal flying
Peter Bolton «Peter Bolton» writes:
Vey scenic coastal flight of over 20km in South Australia which was made by a group of about six hang glider and one paraglider pilot here in June. It was recorded and edited by our “Flying Dutchman” – Miguel de Jong ( «miguelde» ) on his C4.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_5kTj4S9I24&feature=youtube_gdata
Launch was from Cape Jervis and landings were near Normanville. We had hang glider pilots Paul Kelley, Ross Wilkinson, Steve Papai and Ralph Knobloch. Also, our one paraglider pilot was Brooke Whatnall – who became only the second paraglider pilot pilot ever to complete the South Australia “Coast Run” including crossing Rapid Bay – about 2km over water (near the middle of the video).
Thanks to Ian Horne, who also flew on the day, but top-landed near launch so he could grab the car and pick us up. (Ian was only flying a floater on the day). Ian has recently done the coast run for his first time – on a borrowed high performance glider. (He first took up hang gliding flying back in the 1970s).
6 topics in this article: Ian Horne, Miguel "Flying Dutchman" de Jong, Peter Bolton, PG, record, video
Correction re Forbes Flatlands, the Craig Worth portion
The second or maybe third longest task called and made in a competition in Australia.
(Forbes airfield, NSW, Australia)
Craig Worth|Curt Warren|Forbes Flatlands 2011|Peter Bolton|record
The task was not 318.8 km (as indicated by SeeYou which doesn't not optimize the task) but 308 km as determined by FS, which does.
Peter Bolton «Peter Bolton» writes:
I guess I won't be the only one to point out that, although the 318km task at Forbes was a great achievement, it wasn't the longest comp goal ever made in Aus. In 2009 at the Dalby "Big Air" comp, several pilots made the 338km goal - including Curt Warren. See http://www.warrenwindsports.com.au/blog/curt-warren/competitions/dalby-big-air-comp-338-km-task.html. At Dalby, they were disappointed to find out soon afterwards that they'd missed the world record by about 10km.!
Last year, a few pilots including Guy Hubbard and Len Paton flew to Hay goal from Forbes (not sure of exact distance) and continued to make over 400km - landing near Balranald NSW at sunset.
BTW, this was reported earlier in the Oz Report as was the 346 kilometers task in Big Spring.
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5 topics in this article: Craig Worth, Curt Warren, Forbes Flatlands 2011, Peter Bolton, record
2010 South Australian Hang Gliding Championships
Launching from 500' hills
(Mannum, South Australia, Australia)
Ben Levick|Miguel "Flying Dutchman" de Jong|Paul "Kamikaze" Baxter|Paul Kelley|Peter "Pebo" Bolton|South Australian Championships 2010|Steve Pap|Tony "Crossy" Cross
2010 South Australian Hang Gliding Championships
Peter Bolton «Peter Bolton» writes:
The 2010 South Australian Hang Gliding Championships have just finished. Results are up here: users.on.net/~dsg/2010StateComp/results.html
SAXC10 Open | ||
---|---|---|
Pilot | Total | Place |
Tony "Crossy" Cross | 3667 | 1 |
Paul "PK" Kelley | 2884 | 2 |
Miguel "Flying Dutchman" de Jong | 2812 | 3 |
Peter "Pebo" Bolton | 1650 | 4 |
Dave | 1497 | 5 |
Steve Pap | 1300 | 6 |
Martin | 1252 | 7 |
Aren | 1195 | 8 |
Ralph | 1001 | 9 |
Birget | 882 | 10 |
Geoff | 762 | 11 |
Mark | 745 | 12 |
Helen | 697 | 13 |
Gavin | 647 | 14 |
Brent | 553 | 15 |
Garry | 482 | 16 |
Michael | 404 | 17 |
Stuart | 150 | 18 |
SAXC10 Floater | ||
---|---|---|
Pilot | Total | Place |
Paul "Kamikaze" Baxter | 880 | 1 |
Ben Levick | 563 | 2 |
Robin | 93 | 3 |
The competition was run (as usual) over a series of four weekends over the Australian spring time. This year, there was hill-launching only - as all our past tow paddocks in the SA Mid-North area were still under crop. South Australia's hills are typically only about 500ft agl, so getting away from these hills in light winds can be quite "challenging". We flew at total of six tasks from four different sites. Conditions were variable with winds from ~ 0 - 25kt and cloud bases reached over 11,000ft on at least one day. Goal distances were typically about 80km - with one turnpoint and a downwind component to both legs - due to the mod-fresh winds we had to fly in. Paul Kelley made the longest goal flight of about four hours - due to an extra turnpoint he felt he had to handicap himself with!
Winner - and leader through most of the comp - was SA Mid-North local, Tony "Crossy" Cross - on an Airborne Rev. Tony won by a large margin after some very consistent flying. This was all the more remarkable because he has just returned to hang gliding after an absence of about three years! In 2nd place was (meet head and outgoing SA champ) Paul Kelley. In 3rd by a narrow margin was the "Flying Dutchman" - Miguel de Jong - pictured flying at SA's Lochiel ridge with his frog mascot and high over the Hallett Hill Wind Farm.
I was in 4th place, but also of interest was that 2nd, 3rd and 4th places were all Airborne C4's (and first was an Airborne Rev). Winner of the Floater class was Paul "Kamikaze" Baxter narrowly over Ben Levick.
There were no major incidents or serious injuries and most of us didn't get too much heat stress on South Australia's bare hills. Many of our hill sites are now also the sites of wind farms. We have reached some agreements with the owners / operators for us to be able to continue to fly from the hills after construction. Fortunately, turbines are not able to be sited near radio / TV / phone towers, so there remain a few gaps in the rows of turbines. It is possible to fly in front of turbines, but we have agreed to certain minimum clearances for safety reasons.
We've known for years that we really need a large car-tow site which is available to us all year round, but we haven't been able to come up with the money to buy or lease one. This would probably cost about 100 times what the average pilot is prepared to pay… So, we continue jumping off small hills in light winds hoping for the best.
8 topics in this article: Ben Levick, Miguel "Flying Dutchman" de Jong, Paul "Kamikaze" Baxter, Paul Kelley, Peter "Pebo" Bolton, South Australian Championships 2010, Steve Pap, Tony "Crossy" Cross
The original August 1st HGFA newsletter
The original August 1st HGFA newsletter
Before the HGFA BOD takes charge
Peter Bolton
My run as the HGFA "Airwaves" newsletter editor (independent contractor) has come to an end. You'll find my last newsletter in the original version here. You'll find the HGFA BOD's version here. I wrote the FLARM article, not Peter Bolton.
Discuss "The original August 1st HGFA newsletter" at the Oz Report forum link»
1 topic in this article: Peter Bolton
Big Spring - longest task? »
Big Spring task
There was another long one in Australia years ago.
Big Spring 2006|Jules Makk|Pete Bolton|record|Steve Blenkinsop
Steve Blenkinsop «blenkinsop» writes:
Deja vu? An article a few years back in the ozreport, with coincidentally an almost identical task length: http://ozreport.com/5.20
Pete Bolton (who wrote the article above) writes:
I'm not sure if you're suggesting that it's a WORLD record for longest goal distance made in a comp, but there was an Australian comp goal distance record set in the South Australian State Comp long ago of - would you believe - 251km. This was in the king-posted days of 1989 (if I remember the year correctly). four pilots made this distance - Steve Blenkinsop, Garry Fimeri, Jules Makk and Chris Charters. I believe Steve had the documentation for an FAI record claim then.
There was a 265km goal set in a more recent Aus comp, which no one made.
Looking at the task I get three distances for it. Race gives 251.8 km, SeeYou with the FAI spheroid, 251.4 km and with the WGS 84 ellipsoid, 250.7 km. Looks like it is equivalent to the task in Australia. On that day pilots were getting to 15,000' AGL, 5,000' higher than the legal limit. On Thursday pilot were getting to 7,000' AGL.
5 topics in this article: Big Spring 2006, Jules Makk, Pete Bolton, record, Steve Blenkinsop
Australia's south coast
Water Pictures
Pictures flying over the ocean
Peter Bolton
Peter Bolton «pbolt» writes:
Here's a link to some pictures of coastal flying south of Adelaide
taken last weekend.
Http://members.ozemail.com.au/~pbolt/public_html/. The first take off
was from Cape Jervis - opposite Kangaroo Island. (My flight was about 15km of a
total approx 25km -normally only soarable in (Oz) winter).
Apart from cliffs, the views take in wind turbines and a ~1.5km water crossing
past the end of a long jetty at 'Rapid Bay'.
Discuss Water Pictures at the Oz Report forum
1 topic in this article: Peter Bolton
George Cayley
Wed, Nov 23 2005, 2:00:09 am EST
First in gliding
Peter Bolton|record
Peter Bolton «pbolt» writes:
http://www.flyingmachines.org/cayl.html
Sir George Cayley's unpowered flight projects in the 1850s (and much earlier models) pre-dated Lillienthal, Chanute, Hargrave, Wright Bros, Pearse and Pilcher and - I believe - all but a monk called Elmer of Malmesbury who attempted aviation with "mechanical wings" - before there were any engines to power them (or cameras to record them) - by flinging himself from a tower in England in the 11th Century. Cayley was a true English gentleman, hence he didn't fly his glider himself; he got his (terrified) coachman to do that!
The site - a natural bowl on the North Yorkshire moors - was used in the early hg days for competitions and since then for training etc. The local hg club became known as the George Cayley Sailwing Club.
Discuss Cayley at the Oz Report forum
2 topics in this article: Peter Bolton, record