here is  a photo from last week.  Phil on his way to Barco before turning back.  We are off the same direction tomorrow according to the forecast.

Phil´s feet over Barco

High level ridge and WSW at lower levels moving North late in the day.  A base higher than the airspace after Avila, but not uncomfortably so.  Inversion around 3000m , but likely blue climbs to 3200m.    Looking good for open XC 100km+.  Trigger temp 30ºC and likely to get going well in valley around 2pm.

what Happened.

Nice climbs but stopping with turbulence at 2400m.  Near the Pass the wind was accelerated due to the inversion so we landed for safety reasons.  Those later off got to 9000ft, but a bit rock and roll so all kept in the valley.  So much for Segovia!

1pm

1500

X section to Segovia

Situation

the upper level stability  has been displaced by a weak trough.  Today a fair amount of upper level cloud which will reduce heating and the thermals will be weaker.  Also the air quality seems very low as there seems to have been a fire upwind of us during the night.  Moderate W winds moving a little more to the NW and reducing.

Trigger temp still near 30ºC and with extensive cloud cover things will be scratchy.  Without too much thermal mixing we may keep a tolerable amount of wind at ground and take off levels.

Evening flight should be good, but Xc flight may be limited to this valley as winds will be stronger in the Avila valley.

What Happened

An early flight just local and mainly top to bottom in the smoke.  Then just Neil flew in the evening, conditions being windy and a bit too W.

1500

1800

X section to Avila

Situation

Further development of the heat low.  Today we will have more wind from the west, approx 20km/hr at take of level.  This may lighten a little late afternoon and move a little to the NW.  Thermal tops above 3000m with principally blue thermals in the plains.

What Happened

I went off early but found strong westerlies and monster climbs which was somewhat uncomfortable.  I landed at the windmill is 20km/hr wind and turbulence.  A HG pilot going off later also found strong climbs to 3500m and epic cloud streets in the  Avila valley.  You need to be a bit brave for such conditions!

1pm

1500

X section to Avila

1pm

1500

X section to Segovia with winds and temp

Situation

High pressure with a heat low forming.  Surface winds are very light and there may be a tendancy to the NE, though upper level winds are to the W.  It could go either way / for out and returns towards Avila or Barco.  Good quality blue thermals to c 3200m.  Another good day though it will start getting good a little late from 1.30 to 2pm.

What Happened

Another really nice day with good smooth climbs and high base.  A bit N at Avila and it seemed like almost the whole group over the Pass and near Avila.  A PB for Chris S.

1pm

1500

1800

X section to Segovia over time

Situation

Relative stability and  a trigger temp at around 30ºC in the valley.  Light NW winds moving to the N or NE at the end of the day as a weak cold front moves through.

Good conditons not happening till at least 2pm, then very good conditions and a good day for flying to the Avila valley and maybe a circuit over there.  Going onto Segovia may be hard if the N comes in.

Generally a very good day for conditions on the mountain and the flats.

Briefing at 11am

Those who have not been here before could have a quick look at

 What Happened

A great day with excellent conditions and a fast flight to Avila for Pete, Marcus, Nick, Neil and myself.  Later Simon and Chris also arrived.  Too north to continue so we landed and all got back for a very nice evening flight.

Todays tracks

Gliding towards Quarry with Pete and Marcus and Nick behind

Pete and Marcus

Nick

Situation

The upper level trough going across the N of Spain will have largely departed leaving us with more stability in the upper layers.  Light winds (at PN at 8am very light from SE).  Winds early at take off NE and more W at altitude.  A good circuit flight day for Avila Valley and back or Barco direction and back.  Another ¨make it up as you go along day¨, though it would be nice to cross the Pass today.

It should be a good day for all with nice conditions on the ridge and good options for XC.

What Happened.

Lovely day with good climbs.  We stayed in the Piedrahtia side of the Pass, with best distance by Chinni who went to near the Pass, then Barco then back to Piedrahita.  Bill was on the way to do the same but came to grief in  a knarly climb and had to throw his reserve.   A good landing and was back flying for the evening flight.  Bill has been with us for 3 weeks now and is driving home tomorrow.  we will miss him.

10m

1500

XC section to Avila over time

Situation

An upper level trough moving though the N or Spain.  Winds SW this morning and a little strong but reducing later in the afternoon and moving more to the North.  Base around 3800m and the towering cumulus hopefully reducing later in the afternoon.

It could be a tricky day if the  wind does not come on early and the wind stays high.  Will be too strong for Lastra, so we will see how it develops here.

What happened.

Wind did not drop sufficiently till late but came N and gave a big  restitution

1pm

t1200

skt1500

1800

x section to Segovia

Situation

The reduction in the instability is slower than predicted a few days back so we may still have some exciting looking Congestus clouds forming.  XC potential is very high with good quality thermals.  The W component make is good for Open XC towards Segovia.  The problems maybe build up of cloud along the convergence.  Today flying a circuit to avoid build up will be tricky, so it will be over the Pass and flying fast and maybe more to the N of the convergence to avoid the larger build ups.

Remember.  Airspace at 65km from launch after Avila and we must be below 10.000ft and N of the mountain chain.

Briefing c11am

1pm

1500

X section below

X section to Segovia

1pm

1500

Winds at 2400m, thermal index and the XC section to Avila

Section to Avila over time

Situation

The upper level instability has moved further to the East, so today we should have less chance of large cloud build up and showers,  though there will still be likely to be some congestus in convergence areas which maybe still problematic.   Light winds, most likely from the NE at take off early on, though more W at higher flying levels.

This should be a very good XC day for circuit flying.  Flights towards Avila and back would be my preference if the conditions are reasonable with the early climbs and there is little drift from the E. We should not make any definite plans until we are established and hitting 2500m+.  If the drift low down is Easterly and the climbs weak, then once again towards Barco and return if conditions permit.

For tomorrow and Friday we will have more defined  south westerly wind, so will have the opportunity for bigger open XCs towards Segovia.

Pass approach reminder

Thermal Hot Spots on approach to the Villatoro Pass

What Happened

Fantastic

Great conditions with very little wind and base near 3500m and just about the right amount of Cu, though getting big over Pass at the end of the day.  We flew to the Pass, then along the north side of the Valley to Puente de congest then back to Piedrahita.  Around 80km or so triangle.  Chinnie spend a bit more time in the air and his track was to Barco and back after the Pass.

Tracks below

Phil Red, bill blue, chinni Green, Joe Pink, Mky .l.blue, Huw Orange, Mark L.blue, Steve Yellow

Todays Tracks

Yesterdays Tracks to Barco

Alan Redm -Bill Pink, Chinnie Green, Mark Yellow and Blue, Huw Orange

Tracks

What Happened.