Flying Journal

 

PB for Tony with 78.5km

August 19th, 2011 - Posted by Steve Ham

A South forecast with potential climbs to over 400m but quite stable till around 3pm. We had an early launch at Lastra. In fact we nearly did not go as it seemed very breezy. However, some cirrus calmed it down and allowed all to have a safe launch. Once over the back some surprisingly turbulend […]

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Strong SW and unstable

August 18th, 2011 - Posted by Steve Ham

A cold front to the N of Spain has improved the air quality and instability but has made the wind too strong to fly today.

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Strongish SW

August 17th, 2011 - Posted by Steve Ham

Not brilliant. A sketchy launch to check conditions at Lastra put everybody off flying in the 20km/hr wind along the hill. We then went to Peña Negra where conditions had come on. A bit crossed but Ok for soaring on the West faces but around 20km/hr + wind in valley and quite stable. Most landed […]

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Light SW going Moderate

August 16th, 2011 - Posted by Steve Ham

A frustrating day at Peña Negra with the wind never comming on for long. A hang glider and a paraglider got off, both climbing easily. We eventually went to Latra where most flew, with only Tony getting away and flying back to the Piedrahita Valley and landing near Mesegar.

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3700m light/Mod W

August 13th, 2011 - Posted by Steve Ham

The appearance of some Congestus in the Ambles valley made us stay in the Piedrahita Valley, though pushing back from the pass made us go down around Bonilla. Superb evening flying with good thermal climbs in valley till late. Thats it for this week. Good flying every day of the week with some truly classic […]

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Some flying before the storm

August 12th, 2011 - Posted by Steve Ham

A frightening temperature trace so we were off reasonably earlier before much cloud development. A good climb accomodating the whole group straight after take off. One more climb at the big spine then all off to land as things started to build. By the time we were back drinking tea at home big hailsones were […]

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Avila and Back. Amazing conditions

August 11th, 2011 - Posted by Steve Ham

Light winds with a base near 3500m, convergence, perfect Cus and strong smooth climbs. After quite a time trying to go N to Salamanca, the decsion was finally called to go to Avila. Paul Dropped soon after the pass, Jan bombing after leading out near the bend in the road, then Chris and Ian near […]

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2300m light NE. Barco run

August 9th, 2011 - Posted by Steve Ham

Not a forecast to get too excited about, so a goal set to eat ice cream in Barco. Chris, Eric and myself arrived, as did Nigel, who decided to continue his test of the demo Mentor 2 and flew back to Aldeanueva. Tomorrow looking good for a Avila and beyond.

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Light NE to 2300m Blue day.

August 8th, 2011 - Posted by Steve Ham

After the passage of a weak cold front and building high pressure, cool northerly flow with a late start and poor thermal quality. Nevertheless, an nice day with most at Barco and a few beyond towards the Pass at Tornavacas. OK evening flight but not much restitution.

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Increasing W winds. Cu´s at 3100m

August 5th, 2011 - Posted by Steve Ham

Reasonable climbs and conditions at launch, but building wind as we moved down the valley so we decided to land before the Pass. Tomas decided to go over and landed somewhere after Amavida with 35km ground winds. An evening flight for myself with a tandem passenger and for Bill. Both of us landing some time […]

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