Another Epic day! SW wind so convergence effects to N of Ambles valley and beyond. NE lower wind at Avila will depend upon the strength of the SW. Could be another O&R day or to carry on towards Segovia.
1pm
and at thermal tops
conditions with time along track
1500
SW winds around 15 to 20km at flying levels going a bit more NW towards afternoon. thermal climbs at peak hours to around 3600m. Some isolated Cu may form with a base near 4400m.
Classic SW convergence will happen, though will be mainly blue, probably to the N side of the Ambles Valley and more to the N after Avila.
We can choose to go direct to La Lastra or wait till a take off around 1230 1 pm at PN.
La Lastra launch will set us up to go more too the north more easily, though we will be on track earlier with higher risk of bomb outs on the first glides.
1500
track
conditions along track
The instability problems seems to be moving off to the SE, however we still need to be a little cautious today. We will launch from PN though ay have to wait till later than yesterday for conditions. The flow early in the day is SE, but seems to move more SW later in the day. Probable convergences at the pass and along mountain. If we can take a route more to the north all the better to stay north of the Avila Valley if that looks as if it is getting overdeveloped.the inversion around 2600m will reduce the convective potential of the clouds so we should not get Cbs, but we may get some localised showers.
1pm
skew 1500hrs
Skew 1900
5pm ish, possible track to see conditions
conditions along track with time
Here was a fast sketch/painting from a photo and a bit of observation of Ulric whist on his computer in the kitchen yesterday. Unusually I only made one sketch and did this in about 20 mins. Not enough exaggeration but in the right direction I think.
there should be nice soaring conditions early on today with the light wind directly onto the main launch at Peña Negra. I cannot download a skew T so am unsure about the possibility of storms. the local forecast seems to think there will be. With this direction and predicted thermal heights we would normally do a flight to Avila and maybe try to come back. I imagine if it is to be stormy then it will happen in the Avila valley first. We will be best to stay in our valley doing a closed circuit landing here. Cloud observation will be the key to a safe flight today.
We will go up by around 10.30am. with a NW wind we should be able to get decent evening flying if and after there are storms and rain. Tomorrow looking like a much better day, but at least today we should get some pleasant flying.
1pm
wind and track for conditions
conditions to Avila over time
My Sky Junkies Illustration for XC Mag 159
Kai
My illustration of Gerhart, the obsessed German flatlander PG pilot.
Gerhart
Part of Hugh Miller’s article on the Triton, GTO and Mantra 6. The brief was to illustrate the designers the way Hugh found the essence of the gliders. Caricatures of designers Russ Ogden of Ozone, Torsten Siegel of Gin and Phillipe Medicus of Nova.
Russ Ogden
Torsten Siegel
Phillipe Medicus
My Illustration of Rocky and Winnetta for XC Mag
Rocky
We landed early today due to wind and possible Cbs, so a fair bit of time for sketching some past clients. A DSC and a TV club member.
Steve Hook