The frontal systems are keeping to the North and our area continues under relative stability giving us good flying conditions today.  an inversion around 3100m but good thermal quality  starting around 1-30 pm.   Light winds and Avila as a real prospect for XC

What Happened

Great climbs to 3000m and a light NW.  Three of us in Avila and Andy with his first ever Xc and over the Pass.

Tracks.Andy Red, Seb Green,, Tom Yellow ,Steve Blue

Going over Pass tracks

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x section over time to Avila from PN

Another day with a slow start but conditions getting good later in the afternoon, although we may start getting cirrus which will calm things down too much.

A goal at Avila is reasonable, going further maybe possible, but weakening conditions and the NW may impede it.

What Happened

Once again , great conditions and good from the start.  4 of us in Avila, (Karl and Simon past) and Andy with a new PB of around 60km….not bad as he started the week with only 17 hours airtime.

A superb week for the  joint services with flying every day and XC every day but 1

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x secton to Avila over time

Hight Pressure scenario with once again quite a late start.  We  could do an early flight before the XC attempt again if we want.  The light winds will likely be W in our valley and a gentle E in the Avila Valley, though  we should have less problems at the Pass and beyond to today.

What Happened

Very pleasant once again but with more W up until Avila and climbs to 3000m at the end.  Mick, Andre and myself in Avila with Nigel a bit further back.   Karl , on his second flight made it over the Pass and to Muñogalindo (40km).   Another PB for Jonothan with a flight to Casas del Puerto.

tracks

Avila

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X section over Pass and to Avila over time

Situation

More stability than yesterday and generally blue thermals in the flats.  Probably quite weak, with inversions around 2300 to 2600m.   It will probably be a bit of a struggle early on.  Early winds from the NE, but as conditions allow us to get higher we will find more NW in altitude.  Not disimilar to Monday and Tuesday, but with perhaps lighter thermals especially early in the day.

What Happened

Another nice day with gentle conditions and a base not much more than 2600m.  A slow journey to the Pass, then just over it and back (though Andre managed to land high up on it).

tracks near Pass

Tracks

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PN to Plasencia over time

Situation

A cold front has gone through overnight leaving us this morning with a fair amount of upper level instability which is enough to trigger some large Congestus clouds, some of which are giving us showers around 9am.  There should be an improvement over the day and I image by late afternoon we could manage a short XC to Barco at least.

Slightly more easterly wind , so returns are unlikely.

See https://vimeo.com/64294975 for some possible problems with stronger Easterly winds in Piedrahita.  However, this should not be a problem today.

What Happened.

A short flight at Chia, then Cbs.  A reasonable evening flight at Peña Negra around 7pm.

Last night

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x section to Villatoro Pass over time

Not disimilar to yesterday, though probably with a higher thermal quality without the early inversion.  Morning east lies, which already light, should lighten more.  Ideal day for another circuit flight to either of the Passes and back (or both).

What Happened

Excellent thermals topped with Cu at c3300m.  We went to the Pass, then Back towards Barco, then home.  Such light winds and reasonably smooth climbs and great visibility.

Once again Mick managed most distance in either direction, narrowly missing the full return due to shadow and a bit more east at the end of the day.  Karl also close, and Simon making the return home from nr Barco and the Villatoro Pass.

Some of todays tracks between Villatoro and Tornavacas pass

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Some of todays tracks between Villatoro and Tornavacas pass

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winds at 1800 and thermal tops

Key to thermal tops

 

X section to Tornavacas Pass over time

High pressure moving in will stabilise thins for the next few days removing the risk of  Cbs which we have had since Thursday.  Light winds from the NE, but with more NW above the boundry layer.

An inversion initially at 2600m, rising to 3200m later in the afternoon.  Good quality blue thermals, with perhaps some small Cu development in the mountains.

This is a good day for an out and return towards Barco, or potentially an open distance day towards Plasencia if we get climbs above 3000 in the mountains near the Tornavacas Pass.

Conditions for Xc probably will not be good enough until c1.30pm.

What Happened.

very light winds, N high and W low.  Some Mick and Karl managed an out and return to Barco, then  to nr Villafranca and back, clocking up around 60kms.  Others near Barco and most getting plenty of airtime.

Very nice evening conditions for soaring too!

Tracks; jerrry RED, Dickie GREEN, karl YELLOW, Mick BLUE

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Section and wind at thermals tops at 1400

X section to Plasencia over time

Airspace to SW

Airspace to our SW

Cb wend off to the north of the valley at 8am, so things not looking good at all.  Local forecast is showing OK for late afternoon, so we will have to hope that it is the case.

What Happened.

No flying due to Cbs  .  A trip to Salamanca.

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Situation Today

Not disimilar to yesterday, though with more westerly than SW and tending to NW by end of day, so things may become nice on the mountain at the end of the day for evening flying if we have no Cbs.

A better scenario early on this morning than yesterday, so we shall go up and probably have a go.  If we go XC we need to be aware that the Ambles valley may be a bit exciting, so a track such as Wednesday, going N of the Windmills, or even better more N before the Pass would be best.  If there is early overdevelopment, then flying within our valley is generally a bit safer.

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X section to Avila

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Three Day forecast

Today and tomorrow it looks as if the wind will be a major factor in flying at Peña Negra as the wind will be more to the SW and relatively strong.   Sunday may allow easier flying at Peña Negra.  Throughout the period we are affected by relatively high humidity and instability so there is a high risk of showers during the late afternoon.

Pronóstico para el Fin de semana

Hoy y mañana parece que el viento va a ser un factor importante para volar en Peña Negra ya que soplará del suroeste y relativamente fuerte. El domingo puede ser más fácil. Vamos a estar afectados por humedad alta e inestabilidad, así que hay un elevado riesgo de tormentas a mediodía.

Sat

Sunday

3 day point forecast for Piedrahita . Winds

3 day point forecast Piedrahita. Thermal index

Situation

the heat low with a trough near us leading to high instability and risk of storms and rain.  The winds this morning are quite strong and gusty from the  SW which rules out a quick flight before it gets too stormy.   Winds moving more west towards late afternoon which gives a small chance of an evening flight if there are no active Cbs.

Probably the first non flying day in about 3 weeks.  A very good run!

UPDATE 9,50

wind had moderated in the valley and some of the large Cus forming have decayed.  Still not good, but a lot better than an hour ago.  We will brief around 11-11-30 and see how things develop

What Happened

There was a window of opportunity, but things soon became stormy leading to plenty of Cb action and rain.

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