Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Canungra cup 09
goal 3rd philipe , 5th me, and 7th ky for the first day!
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Queensland!!!! Later Sydney
Rescue re-packed, gear set.....Canungra here I come:) Love it up north!!!!
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Friday, October 16, 2009
GPS2OS Current Location Details
| USNG Grid Reference: | 56H LH 40670 63354 |
| Latitude: | -33°45'28.54" |
| Longitude: | 151°16'46.71" |
| Accuracy: | 733m |
| Updated at: | 17/10/09 12:29 PM |
| Google Map |
Sent from my iPhone
Early Start
Its almost 6 am and planning another big day. First breakfeast!!!!!, gym, re-pack my rescue, and jump on the scale to check my flight weight. Recived one of the team pilot packs last night. It included a sticker for the wing, niviuk speed arms, t-shirt, and a windsock... really cool to get some free stuff and nicely done from coxy!!!
Downloaded this simple program for the iphone that will allow me to update my GPS position on landing directly to this blog...Interesting as it works like SPOT but was only 8 bucks and uses a mobile network not sattlite. Will test it in the next few days to see what is like:)
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Canungra - (Pre Race)
Over the last two years I went with the idea that you can only control some elements in competition. One can plan a flight and still end up on a ridge while others fly high above on speed into goal. Pre 07 this happed on a regular basis so my target was to work on a personal development program that looked a my own health, fitness, and future goals. Last year I was placed 14th and have pumped up the volume on my training program to shoot for a spot in the top 10. I now have more energy to stay allert, get climbs, allowing me stay high and fly fast......Its also great to have my mom here as she is my best support person!!!
During a race to goal last year two masses of lift came in at the same spot mid task and I found myself in a very strong climb shooting up under this mother of clouds....And this huge wedgetail hawk came diving at me; looking back he was so mad and tried to get my wing with his talons:) Just before he was about to hit I pulled on the breaks hard and he impacted the fabric but did not have his sharp talons out. He then pulled up beside me and gave me this look i will not forget...wow!!!!
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Manilla
With an upset stomach I got the feet up in the country with the second
family!!!
Ohh ... I tunned the wing after a good winter....will plan a simple
task as it is the first race weekend:)
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Blackheath
Another weekend in the blue mountains and a few good friends! Thank you!
Got up this morning with high hopes of a good xc day but that was not to be. We just had fun!
Got up this morning with high hopes of a good xc day but that was not to be. We just had fun!
Friday, April 10, 2009
Manila State of Origin 09
We had a great night - hanged out under the moon watching a massive storm cell rolling down the range and telling stories... A few beers later...
I wonder how these mobile uploads look on the web?
State of Origin 09
Time for a few beers by the camp fire...
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Manila state of origin 09
Nsw vs qld? Ha ha, off to another comp! This is an easygoing clustering of new pilots usually with a few old ones mixed in.
Gonna wake up tomorrow at 4 and drive. Reports over last few days are looking ok. Aleady thinkin about coffee and breakfast!
Gonna wake up tomorrow at 4 and drive. Reports over last few days are looking ok. Aleady thinkin about coffee and breakfast!
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Summery - Australian Nationals
Well did not plan on having limited access to the web the whole week so apologies for the lack of updates or a proper write upJ ! …. this year was GREAT! We had a good group pilots and the organisers Ben & Hamish did an awesome job; by keeping things lively with positive attitudes. Lets hope that they organise some more cups! The last day of flying again was just the best flight of the season with a base just above 3000.….I was temped to just fly off course and wasted time getting higher than I needed.
Over the week there had been two accidents to pilots that I have gotten to know over the last few years but only seem to see them at the comps. I wish them a speedy recovery and look foreword to sharing the air again next year!
Thank you for the week as it was one to look back on!!!!
Over the week there had been two accidents to pilots that I have gotten to know over the last few years but only seem to see them at the comps. I wish them a speedy recovery and look foreword to sharing the air again next year!
Thank you for the week as it was one to look back on!!!!
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Bright, Vic. - Australian Nationals
Last week ended to quickly to write another update. The last flight on Saturday was fantastic; a bit to get away but the pilots who where up had a great flight with the best base of the week.
Hey guys... Well first day and we are sitting around in the first rain since Christmas. We have plans to drive up to NSW Mt Corryong to get a task in tomorrow. Would be a great move to drive in an effort to get another day flying!
Now its time for a BBQ.. looking at some roo, veg, & maybe some mash! Cant forget the Tim tams & beer!
Hey guys... Well first day and we are sitting around in the first rain since Christmas. We have plans to drive up to NSW Mt Corryong to get a task in tomorrow. Would be a great move to drive in an effort to get another day flying!
Now its time for a BBQ.. looking at some roo, veg, & maybe some mash! Cant forget the Tim tams & beer!
Friday, March 6, 2009
Killarney Classic 2009 Day Off & Task 5
Thursday
Was too windy so I decided to upgrade my Aircotec. It was funny as after my firmware upgrade in German the system would not turn on. So I went back to the café to check and see what others had put on the web …. they recommended taking the unit apart and removed the battery which fixed the problem.
Friday
The forecast predicted that we should have epic conditions. Setting up on the SW takeoff. With a race start at 12:55 I took off in the open launch as I did not have a good launch number. I went early at 12 and climbed out to 2,200 above take off by 12:10 and noticed we were already at the bottom of the cloud with almost an hour to hang out in a 2k radius. As per normal this week the conditions began to get weak as the gate opens. I have to question why we are taking off so late in the day as during the best part we had to hold over launch today.
Just before the window opened a different air mass pushed in dropping the base progressively on the course line. About 5 k’s out I was surrounded by an air mass with a change in dew points as cloud was developing 1000m below me and I got to surf this mass of cloud -- its was amazing as pilots were below and it looked like a waterfall.
Was too windy so I decided to upgrade my Aircotec. It was funny as after my firmware upgrade in German the system would not turn on. So I went back to the café to check and see what others had put on the web …. they recommended taking the unit apart and removed the battery which fixed the problem.
Friday
The forecast predicted that we should have epic conditions. Setting up on the SW takeoff. With a race start at 12:55 I took off in the open launch as I did not have a good launch number. I went early at 12 and climbed out to 2,200 above take off by 12:10 and noticed we were already at the bottom of the cloud with almost an hour to hang out in a 2k radius. As per normal this week the conditions began to get weak as the gate opens. I have to question why we are taking off so late in the day as during the best part we had to hold over launch today.
Just before the window opened a different air mass pushed in dropping the base progressively on the course line. About 5 k’s out I was surrounded by an air mass with a change in dew points as cloud was developing 1000m below me and I got to surf this mass of cloud -- its was amazing as pilots were below and it looked like a waterfall.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Killarney Classic 2009 Task 3 and 4
Killarney
Task 3 - Was cancelled with pilots on task.
Wow woke to another clear day with some overcast - with an average forecast the conditions looked good and a task was called with elapsed time. A race start would have been better as the task was cancled due to over development.
It was a fun day and not too difficult to get away as I climbed out 2 min after launch. With a low base it was difficult to get to the next climb. The cloud was closing off the exits leaving most to pay around in the valley. Me and Loyd pushed between two clouds before it closed off the exit on big ears and bar making it low at the first turn point. Shortly after we drifted in the climb again to base. The wind had picked up and again we had to push head-wind to find our next climb. At the top I found little wind.
It was a difficult day and on approach to the last two points I realized that I was leading out with Meredith and Andrew in the lead gaggle. We all started to race to the large cloud developing on task. At first we got magic lift and in the middle we got over 8m up a second. The field was spread out and at the same time all the pilots began to spiral down. After a few deep spirals I noticed my viro was beeping in accentL ! Not to nice under a overdeveloped cell. With a few others we kept big ears’s on and glided 90deg off the line until we got out of the area. Before the task was called we tried to slip around but it just blocked off the route.
Task 4 - Gear Malfunction
Made a simple mistake and missed the first turn point… Fuck. Only got scored to the first point.... I crossed over the next task line and my GPS gave me the green light to go and get the second point before I entered the 400m circle. So always use both GPS units to take the stupid factor out!
Task 3 - Was cancelled with pilots on task.
Wow woke to another clear day with some overcast - with an average forecast the conditions looked good and a task was called with elapsed time. A race start would have been better as the task was cancled due to over development.
It was a fun day and not too difficult to get away as I climbed out 2 min after launch. With a low base it was difficult to get to the next climb. The cloud was closing off the exits leaving most to pay around in the valley. Me and Loyd pushed between two clouds before it closed off the exit on big ears and bar making it low at the first turn point. Shortly after we drifted in the climb again to base. The wind had picked up and again we had to push head-wind to find our next climb. At the top I found little wind.
It was a difficult day and on approach to the last two points I realized that I was leading out with Meredith and Andrew in the lead gaggle. We all started to race to the large cloud developing on task. At first we got magic lift and in the middle we got over 8m up a second. The field was spread out and at the same time all the pilots began to spiral down. After a few deep spirals I noticed my viro was beeping in accentL ! Not to nice under a overdeveloped cell. With a few others we kept big ears’s on and glided 90deg off the line until we got out of the area. Before the task was called we tried to slip around but it just blocked off the route.
Task 4 - Gear Malfunction
Made a simple mistake and missed the first turn point… Fuck. Only got scored to the first point.... I crossed over the next task line and my GPS gave me the green light to go and get the second point before I entered the 400m circle. So always use both GPS units to take the stupid factor out!
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Killarney Classic days 1,2,3
Two beautiful days to fly just a bit of wind to make the first task difficult pushing out at 6k an hour at 2100m. Second day we got to have a fly over the falls which was great but got greeted by shade the whole way. I got up with the first group at 1pm sitting at base for a race start at 145...which was fun to hang over the hill. They expected a high base and got clearance to extend our airspace to a nice 10,000 ft.
Today we had cloud all around . Some decided to take off at cloud base and float around just below the cloud. One of the girls who flew in a wheel chair due to a hang gliding accident had a crash today snapping the collar bone. Really sad as she was in good mood and uplifting to see her fly.
Now im just trying to stay dry! - Having fun!
Today we had cloud all around . Some decided to take off at cloud base and float around just below the cloud. One of the girls who flew in a wheel chair due to a hang gliding accident had a crash today snapping the collar bone. Really sad as she was in good mood and uplifting to see her fly.
Now im just trying to stay dry! - Having fun!
Friday, February 27, 2009
Here!
not too bad just a few hours of travel and two beers later I found myself under the stars tonight with a clear sky.
I often wonder just how many people are looking at same sky at that moment?
the forecast is looking good over the next few days so we will fly!
I often wonder just how many people are looking at same sky at that moment?
the forecast is looking good over the next few days so we will fly!
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Killarney Classic 2009
So again…with 4 days to go before the Killarney Classic! My tent and camping gear is already with a friend who has low flying 4x4 which will help get our gear past the airlines and to Queensland early. Around 6 weeks back checking in for a flight up to Rainbow Beach I got nailed with 100 bucks extra for a second glider and camping gear. Funny I did try to explain to the person booking me it that it was golfing equipment…ha
The rest of my gear was stripped apart so I can get my rescue re-packed by Thursday night which would be great as the last time I did was almost 3 years ago!
Still getting over the loss of my two birds, however, at least I can close that chapter. It was not easy but it was awesome to have them for another 6 months.
The rest of my gear was stripped apart so I can get my rescue re-packed by Thursday night which would be great as the last time I did was almost 3 years ago!
Still getting over the loss of my two birds, however, at least I can close that chapter. It was not easy but it was awesome to have them for another 6 months.
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