Most of us flew down to Baco, with Jamie continueing along the ridge further north to Becedas. A nice day with good Cu and climbs to around 2600m. Later int he afternoon the wind wend SE, so we went to Chia for the eveing flight. Quite along walk up as the condition of the track no longer allows us to get the vehicles up.
A moderate SE forecast but expecting to come onto PN; which it did. However, we tried Lastra early on, arriving just as some Swiss pilots successfully went XC after which the wind went over the back. Later back at PN, most go off, but not all before it went over the back. We then had a drive to Navalacruz, a site I have not flown for 23 years. A nice site. Steve B and I made over 3000m and flew along the south site of Serrota landing at after a little more soaring at Chia (some 14kms away). Best flight of the day from PN was 80km.
Below also the remarkable 185km flight made by one of the Swiss yesterday.
85k from PN
Evening flights from Navalacruz
yesterdays 185km flight
We set a modest goal at Barco and got underway very early with the Cu forming just some 50m or so above launch height. A very interesting run and most made it in the first attempt, though a few a little short. The day actually improved for a while enabling those who landed early to get a second attempt and even a second for some who returned from the Barco goal. However, no evening flight as the clouds finally developed to form rain
From Monday to Wednesday this week we have been restricted to local flying due to the build up of large clouds and Cbs. Yesterday did offer some hope, and some of the Swiss made 130km to the North, however there were large thunderstoms in the area. Hopefully after today things will improve a little.
Sunday for me is the changeover day and a journey to Madrid Airport. Meanwhile back at launch the Tour of Spain was due to go through around 2.30pm. With all the TV helicopters it meant there was no flying as that particular circus passed by. Ralph, The Provincial League and some hot swiss pilots got away before. Ralph finally made his 200km, the Swiss making something more over the 200km mark.
An evening fight for the new arrivals
Ralph’s Track
Biggest of day
A fanstastic day yesterday with light winds and good Cu at around 3500m. 5 of our group flew over the Pass then back, with Ralph making the most of things with a 127km closed circuit triangle and Steve B, not far behind, Both having more than 6 hours in the air. The best flight of the day was made by Rico Chandra with a 167km triangle flying past Munoglanind the taking TPs on the Gredos Chain. A phenomenal flight. Today things will be complicated by the tour of Spain (Cycle Race) passing take of at the time we would normally be getting under way.
Biggest of day
Ralphs track
Another classic day with light wind and climbs to over 3500m. We initially set Avila and return but the Cu conditions decayed half way along the Avila valley. Some of us landed in Avila, others turned earlier, Ralph making it back to Barco then home with a closed triangle of 103km. The most spectacular flight made of the day (not in our group) made by Reynauld with a whopping 117km FAI triangle making a turnpoing on the Gredos
some of the groups tracks
Ralph 105km triangle
FAI triangle
A great day with climbs to over 3500m and decent Cu. Or origional goal to the North was adapted and we continued to Segovia, though with a light headwind so it was slow going and nearly a 6 hour flight. Richard and I landed on the outskirts of Segovia. A PB for Richard in time and Open Distance. Not far back near the 100km mark were Gordon, Steve B and Ralph. Mike reached Avia for a PB flying his A class lightweight Glider.
Segovia , some tracks
A very pleasant day with a light NW but conditions rather weak earlier on so a number of early landings. Myself , Ralph and Gordon took a highish climb near Barco with around 40 vultures and decided to check out conditons towards the Cherry Tree valley. However, as things looked stable there we decided to land in the big easy field on the way.
Spectacular evening flying with a big restitution.
After plenty of 55km flights to Avila this year, Hans made a big flight of 115km with a climb of over 4000m in the approaching front line. As the shadow of the front and wind came in from the west it kicked off a line of lift ahead of it which we were able to fly fast and without turning for a glide of around 60km + after the initial struggles in quite stable conditions.
Hans’s flight