Nice flying conditions early on with climbs to near 3000m and a NW of some 15km. We dropped Enrique and Simon at the Pass, Myself and Nigel going over, and later followed by Andrew. Nigel had a tough time of it low and in the increasing valley winds in the Ambles valley. We were finally boxed agains the hills landing near Solosancho. Andrew flew to near he bend in the road for his 2nd PB this week (the first being the flight just past Barco)
A great forecast (to 4000m+) with 15-20km/hr of wind from the NNW. Breezy early at launch with climbs to around 3300m on the big spine. A few bomb outs near the Cemetery at Casas del Puerto, with Colin, Martin, Nigel and myself over the pass some going to 3500m. A fair bit of N on the other side. Colin masterfully took a good line landing on the outskirts of Avila. Myself Brian and Nigel had a harder time wth the N wind. Martin, some 50km out but to the South and in the hills found himself an interesting bit of turbulence near landing which caused him to throw his reserve. A nasty cut to the elbow was the only consequence for the hardy X-marine and helicopter pilot.
Nice evening conditons once again.
A great day with no early bomb outs from our group. A trip towards Barco, with Colin and Martin making it most of the way back. Nigel myself and Simon carried on toward the Tornavacas pass before trying to get back. I had some fantastic flying high up near the big peaks and lagoons. Some pleasant evening flying, myself with a 110kg tandem passenger. Looking good for the rest of the week. Yiipeeeeeeeee
A poor forecast so we took off at around 12.30 before conditions really got going and before the forecast wind came in. Many landed around the Chalet. I flew for around an our out in the valley, landing as things started to get unpleasant.
A fantastic forecast for the following days, so here is hoping for a good day tomorrow.
Up at 6.15am for the airport run and not gettng back till 7pm. Those who flew reported rough conditions. The evening flight with our new group of pilots was smooth, but restricted to the area near the Peña Negra rock due to the wind direction. A few days of this I fear.
A fantastic forecast, though we only got to near 3000m. With an initial flight to the East to the Corrals, we then set of to the NW to el Puente de Congosto, some 20km NW of Piedrahita across the flats. We lost Rob on the way, but Colin, Paul and myself crossed the river Tormes, myself and Paul then going S to El Barco, leaving Colin to land at Puente de Congosto. Nick and Mike turned just short, following our path but on the other side of the River Tormes. From Barco back home to close the triangle. Nick dropped out at San Lorenzo, and myself and Tom on the tandem a little further. Paul and Mike closed the circuit back at Piedrahita.
An evening flight to round of a fantastic week of conditions and heaps of airtime and XC kms.
Another cracking day with good Cu distribution. A trip in the Barco direction after a bid of early indecision on direction as the wind being light showed more W than the forecast E near launch. This early confusion put Colin on the deck in an awkward spot near Santiago de Collado.
The majority of the rest of us had an easy time with big climbs and reached Barco with no problem. Most reached the Tornavacas pass then made some of the way back to Barco, with Paul getting just to the outskirts.
The evening flight was a bit to the east needing a take off at Peña Negra rock launch.
A couple of photos from Mike Lowe, The Tornavacas Pass with the Chery Tree Valley beyond and proof that flyPiedrahita is not just about fantastic flying in the day – the nights can be pretty good as well!
Another great day with perfect Cu distribution, though only at around 2800m. We made a flight to near the Pass, then flew back towards Piedrahita in abundant lift. Paul landed to watch the tour de France, but Colin headed for the Red Roofs and back and Mike and Nick went onto Barco. Mike got back to the Piedrahita landing around 6pm after his epic little tour.
Some nice evening flying was had for those not too tired of the flying.
The conditions today were quite distinct form the last few epic days. A mashed potato sky with a mixture altocu, wave and convective Cus with a base of around 2400m. As the day looked as though it would deteriorate we went for an early start. Light conditions, though very nice. I had some fun chasing a group of young storks climbing to the clouds, practicing I imagine for the big migration any day now.
A fantastic early evening flight with smooth climbs to 2400m. I flew the new Sol Tandem once again, and really am beginning to feel I need to possess this wing.
This week’s group:
Yet another great day with various PBs. Nick, finally got over the pass after a number of years trying. Colin equalled his PB from last week with a landing in the same field some 10km back from Avila. Håkon, improved on yesterdays PB (Avila and back to Amavida), with a straight line flight of 83km, his Brother Pål landing some 8km short of Avila. Only Mike, yesterdays superstar, failed to get over the pass after being drilled in sink to land at the Cementary at Casas del Puerto.
I test flew the new Kangaroo 3 tandem today with Tom as passenger. With an aspect ratio of 6.2 and 61 cells and a promised glide ratio of 9.5 it really did look the business. We landed with Haakon after 4 hours in the air, which was a great test flight. Much more direct and easy handling than my BiGolden without the adverse yaw/brake tendency. It seemed to glide very well, though perhaps not as fast as my Golden. However, if I could swap, it would be bye bye trusty Golden.
Even though we only got back to Piedrahita after 8-30pm we still made it to the top for some evening flying. Distinct conditions from other evenings, with the wind straight on, loads of lift, but around 25km of wind comming in even at sunset. Good conditions set to continue, but with some increase in cloud depth an dropping base.