A succession of fronts lining up in the North which will generate Cbs in the N, but we will remain fine but with perhaps some high cloud later in the afternoon.   Much lighter winds, with good XC potential.   Yesterday I was nervous about going across the pass due to the high wind forecast.  Today you should pull out all the stops as it should be fine AND tomorrow it is going to be rubbish for flyingXC, though light winds may allow us a bit of local flying!

Wind going N at the end of the day, so for this not making the long XC, the conditions this evening should be better than we have been having the  last few days with the westerlies.

mid day

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track

section over time

What Happened.

Nice conditions with v. light winds and circuits to the Pass, red roof, Barco and back completed the Mikes, Chris and Chinny.  Excellent day finished with a BBQ at the 2nd house.

Not disimilar to yesterday, though the upper level winds are higher which could make things a little wild .  More SW component, so less problem of getting held back in the N winds after Avila.    Some Cirrus due fronts moving across the N.  Blue thermals predicted, though I imagine there will be Cu in the convergence.  Thermal tops going above 3500m so once again a bit of stress in the Madrid TMA.

This is a big day for those of you hungry for big distance, though will be come a bit of a handful for others.   I imagine we should have an hour or so of more scratchy lighter conditions before the upper level winds mix down and it gets easy to get up and difficult to get down and windy.

Tea and biscuits at 1.45 in Piedrahaita for the conservative pilots and roast suckling pig in Segovia at 9.30pm for the Brave!

I would like the van to be leaving at 11am for launch, so briefing around 10.30 to 10.45 unless the windsock is just hanging mid morning.

mid day

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track and winds at thermal tops

section over time

Marked absence of inversions today with a clear trace to over 3000m.  Winds much lighter, with a NW to W  direction.   A set for an easy flight to Avila and worth trying for beyond.  Thermal tops should rise to above 3500m.

mid day

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conditions across track to Segovia mid afternoon.

What Happened.

Aftger light but nice conditions things really got going by about 2pm.  Mike Aston near Segovia, and Chinny about 10 km beyond.

A cold front brushing the N of the Peninsula today.  The wind strength is up on yesterday and also favourably the and is a bit more on the hill which with the stronger winds should give  us one of those spectacular evening flights like we had last week (take off from lower launch).

For the XC we will have to get going earlier as those stronger winds may mix down and make it uncomfortable for some.  Inversion once again around 2600, but warmer conditions may make thermals better than yesterday.

We will brief at 11am and go up soon after.

mid day

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1400 x section to Segovia

Just got the new that my film, The Collector has made the cut for San Hillare next month.  Just need the fresh translation to be improved so waiting for Alain Mothes to help me on that one as he did with the great french singing on the XC Pee advert.

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=__8v59oGArI&list=UUq74CHTCs6EEt7WfSP7BbxQ[/youtube]

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nzpo5FU_38I&list=UUq74CHTCs6EEt7WfSP7BbxQ[/youtube]

High pressure over Azores and Russia with our heat low over spain.  Sunny conditions, though a  little more stable than recently with an inversion around 2600m and thermals likely to be quite sluggish till later in the afternoon.  Probable climbs to 3000m in the hotspots and convergence.  The stronger than recent SW may make it a little  turbulent around take off , but probably not far enough to the S to think of rushing off to Lastra the S site.

Goal for the day.  Avila and Beyond.  No point in trying to come back today due to wind strength and poor themal quality.  Not the best of days, but persistence may get some to Segovia.

1pm

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winds at top of lift and section route

section over time

What Happened

Big group today with all 17 trackers in use.  The more stable forecast was right with only Jonothan and Chinny getting over the Pass.  Tomas and I landed on the plater N or the pass.  No tracker for me at the mo since they are all being used.

Westerly winds a little stronger today with a good chance for open distance, though also for a return back to the Pass from Avila.  Blue thermals mainly with tops above 3000m and some Cirrus.

I would  expect a flight to the windmills or Villacastin beyond Avila to be feasible and likely for some.

Expect one van coming through the Avila valley around 3.30  to 4 pm driven by Mike Aston.  The next, driven by me will come through around 6.30.  Keep radios on and text me on 639133452 and I will coordinate the retrieve with Mike.

Remember that the vans will be half full with eager DSC pilots wanting an evening flight, so be on the ground by 6.30 pm on the East side of Villacastin, preferably on the main highway if you are beyond Avila.

1500

noon

The Week Ahead

It´s´gonna be good!

week forecast

Light winds from the west and good climbs to over 3000m.  Perfect for a nice flight to Avila and maybe beyond, or back (and maybe back over) the Pass.  Mainly blue thermals.  A great end to a very nice week, and for those Derbyshire pilots reading this and coming out tomorrow, it is looking very nice for next week too.

1pm

3pm

wind over track

section over time

What Happened.

Fantastic conditions and Avila and back for Chinny who landed back at take off after his 5 hour plus epic  – and also back over the Pass for Johannes.  More than half the group over the pass.  Excellent evening conditions and my first tandem with a parochially sighted person who seemed to love it.

More unstable, cool, air aloft so we may get some large Cu forming and bringing showers, though Cbs less likely.   Later in the day things should dry out, so evening time should be fine.   Much reduced possibilities for XC, but maybe ok for a local flight this morning.   We will go up directly at 11 am, brief around 10,30.  We could try a late afternoon XC if conditions allow.  Winds much lighter from W and NW.

1pm

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Oncer again a high level WSW above the boundary layer.  Should be OK on the hill at PN.  Climbs to 3000m + later in the afternoon, though the cirrus could slow things down (not a bad thing really).  Once again flights to Avila and probable blocking by the N wind there.

noon

1500

winds and track for x section

x section

Derbyshire boys in action

What Happened

Classic day with good climbs and nice Cu´s and convergence n the Ambles valley.  A quick flight to Avila where I landed.  Chinny, Dave and Esa and Tomas tried getting back with varying luck, though too much headwind towards the  E side of the Pass .