—When you put a young Formula 1 driver in a good car you know you can expect a good result. Same in gliders this young German guy Simon Briel [ runer up in Szged at the JWGC last year] combined with an EB 28 and in the back a name as Bernd Fischer and flying from Bitterwasser ….TOP result/a winning combination ; 1.406 km. speed 159 km./h!!! Simon is one of the young pilots flying in the 1000 km. camp., this time on special invitation, as he was there already last year too. AND,..1000’s he flew …he has 5 now. BUT,…also worth mentioning….Maximilian Schaefer also from Germany flying an ASH 26E over 1.325 km. with 148 km./h!!! He might be in the camp too!!! For sure in the camp this season;Mike Bauer who was the best junior in the Club class Nationals in Zwickau with 44 participants. This was a ticket to Namibia.
Great job also from 2 Dutch friends,Alfred Paul and Mark, flying a lot together each in their ASG 29 E in the Netherlands , chasing long distances and records and this time they have a nice one flown in Douglas on December 23; 1.324 km. in 9 hours and 15 minutes ;speed 143 km./h. “ Finally African weather, what a day !! We launched early with the first Cu already at the plateau around 9 AM. We directly launched after briefing at 9.40 and had a very good energy line towards the North. Coming back South we could maintain good energy lines as well with some good climbs, and we already had 400km at 12.30. Afterwards we went South of the Aar, but the weather became more difficult there and we really had to search for good lift. Afterwards we went to Uppington with Cu base up to 4000m. In the last 2 hours we could fly again South of Prieska and afterwards back to Douglas along some nice thunderstorms towards the North. At Douglas we were 15 min in the holding for a shower over the field and we have landed at 19.30. Literally everything worked today – just awesome!! “ Well done guy’s!!!!
9.30 AM on Tuesday December 24 : A fine clear morning here in Tocumwal. Yesterday I spoke briefly with Anton and he and Andrea had a good day doing their side check with Ingo. Nearly all back to the past, when they were in the same hangar and doing their check with either Ingo or Eddie or Don. So they started with SSC, [Sportavia Soaring Center] long ago, when that disappeared with Eddie at Sportaviation Tocumwal and now back flying with the Southern Riverina Gliding Club at Sportavia Tocumwal from Sharon and Lumpy. As I, they were impressed how great the garden looks and with all the improvements at the hangar and around.
Looking GOOD!!!!
It’s Christmas Eve tonight and with all preparations for Lake Keepit it does n’t feel like Christmas. Diana, Colin and George are still busy to transform the Discus trailer into a JS 3 trailer…they seem to win. They thought maybe one day work, it turned out a week.
Hammering away…with JO,..the LS 1f in the back.
The car’s are in good condition for the 10 hour drive.Both have been checked in the garage. Car’s ..as the Czech team will collect on Boxingday the LS 1 f and the Range Rover, now with brand new tires.
Looking good for the Czech team.
Off to Cobram for some final shopping.
12 PM: My goodness me, NEVER saw so many car’s and people in Cobram. AND,…I have been there earlier also with Christmas. I was glad to avoid the busy shops in Holland this year, now I was in the middle of it in Cobram. Like Trafalgar Squire at the street and no trolley’s in the Woolworth. Lot’s of vegies were just “gone’, meaning the shop did n’t expect so many buyers either. We survived and will have a nice Christmas meal here over the festive day’s.
Drinks at 5 tonight with friends and tomorrow at 11 and 5 PM again.
Rest me to wish you the best ever CHRISTMAS DAY’S! I toast on all of you and thanks for reading the blogs!!! Looking a bit more global, I hope the fires will stop, the fighting and bullying between people and countries as well. I wish you PEACE and HAPPINESS with CHRISTMAS 2019 !!!!
—Today is a social day of visits , food and drinks. Slowly the smoke came in again at 9.30. The East runway 36/18 was not visible. Now at 11 it is still hazy to the East but a bit better. William [in Narromine] just shared a picture from the current fires.
UNBELIEVABLE!!!!! As shared by William Stalenburg.
—My accommodation is organized in Lake Keepit, so I don’t have to worry about that and it seems even better now, as I stay AT the field, so no car needed!! WHY, I will be there is a bit of a story. My plan was to NOT go to Australia this year. After a concussion which took longer than I thought, I had decided to stay in Holland. My daughter Inge however found me a real good deal on a ticket. I had 24 hours to decide. I decided YES I GO and that meant leaving Holland within one week AND only travelling back on January 22. One way or another George had a conversation with Mandy. He told her about my longer stay which fitted in the WWGC period. When they needed me I could be there he said. I did n’t even know, only later! We all thought about it and here in Tocumwal the decision was made that I was added to the media team doing my own thing in soaring.eu to spread the word about the WWGC world wide. I feel very honored….and pleased.
So now I am going to be part of the race for 3 new WWGC champions in Lake Keepit. Out of 47 pilots from 10 countries in 3 classes there will be 3 new ones. At this stage 14 pilots entered in 18 m. class, 16 in standard class and 17 in club class . NOW the current champions are still German pilot Katrin Senne in 18 m. class , Sabrina Vogt also from Germany in Club Class and French pilot Aude Grangeray in Standard class.
SCHEDULE: Between December 28 -30 is the pilot and team registration and technical inspection. First TC meeting on December 30 at 7 PM. Mandatory safety briefing at December 31 at 9.30 AM. Official training Tuesday December 31 to Thursday January 2 in 2020. Opening Ceremony on Friday January 3. Contest flying; January 3-January 17 2020 Farewell Party January 17 in the evening. Closing ceremony and prize-giving at January 18 at 10 AM. So now you are up to date to the schedule.
More later. 2.30 PM: Had a great lunch with Chrissie and Stuart and their grand children. Chrissie runs a great AIR B & B in the alley behind her shop ; the 44 Alley Way. Had a look at it …just beautiful.In the middle of town!!![entire house with 3 beds] Also Libby runs a very beautiful AIR B & B a bit closer to the airfield: The SILVER PORCH RETREAT.[entire house with 4 beds] Both are high quality!!!Both were booked during the Nationals and a great deal of the summer. Look at AIR B and B’s in Tocumwal when you are interested. https://www.airbnb.com.au/s/Tocumwal–Australia Motels are great and well prized too there are enough of them.
Found a picture from the fires here in Tocumwal around the airfield. Believe maybe 1991. One of the most scary things in my life.
Fires surrounded the Tocumwal Airport. VERY scary!!!! AND And some Christmas festivities and other parties , here at the in that time, Sportavia Soaring Center. More Christmas and my birthday in Tocumwal, with the Snow family. With owners Bill and Val, Bruce Brockhoff and when I remember well Woody from Aspen in the USA.Christmas in Tocumwal LONG ago….early 90thies. With the Wiesenthals, the Kellers and Ian.
Those were very busy but very good times. GREAT memories!!!
3 PM; By the way the smoke mostly disappeared and the club is flying in the afternoon.Not booming weather but “just nice”.
Yesterday evening I saw for the first time on TV here in Australia how terrible and devastating those fires are. I read about it , heard about it ,but when you see it it’s even more scary!!! It brings tears in your eyes. ” There are still over 100 bushfires currently burning across NSW. ” Also Victoria has bush fires now in the Gippsland area , east of Melbourne. 10 News Adelaide [ South Australia] shared some pictures on FB , here is one of them. ” One of the hardest-hit areas in the SA bushfire crisis has had up to 20 homes destroyed by a seemingly unstoppable inferno.”
Terrible fires around Adelaide …killing 2.
When I heard the sirens yesterday, I thought for one moment, FIRE. .. and then……too much sirens,…AND then ,…I remembered it will be Santa Claus…that’s an annual happening for kids here,…very popular. Indeed it was the good Santa!!!
Looking back at the Multi Class Nationals: Straight after the cancellation of the day, gliders were packed for mostly long trips home.
Quite a few had left already the last ones prepared for a long drive home.
But,…first there was of course the prize giving and dinner. Was not there ,but it was a lovely evening I heard. Again congratulations to the winners. Good “old” Butch who won many comps and was already in the Aussie team when I met him in Italy in 1984 and later in 1985 with the Rieti WGC, where he flew our glider. By the way Ingo was there as well and WON.
Bernie , a “local hero” ..very pleased to see he won in 15 m. in an “old” PIK 20 …chapeau…and I can’t remember meeting Michael Durrant before , but I did now. He won the St. class. As the GFA mentioned;” A disappointing end to the Multiclass Nationals with the weather and smoke playing a significant factor this year. Congratulations to John Buchanan (18m/Open), Mike Durrant (Std) and specially to Bernie Sizer taking out 15m in a Pik20B! “
All in all this was a competition where the main goal of soaring was clearly alive; camaraderie between pilots and getting to know more mates. Young ones are rising, but the winners were still what shall I say “not so young”. Of course “close by” we had the [1] -MM issue , but that was solved , [after anger , frustration and disappointment] , as well. A waste of time, in my opinion. The organizers worked hard to set under trying conditions, a good competition and what I saw they did. They really tried hard every day,…so did the pilots, they did not complain about sitting in the 45 dgr. sun at the field,..waiting for smoke to disappear or a front that passed too slow. Let’s not forget the wind!!! NEVER EVER felt so much wind here in all those years I was here. Gusts up to 40 kts last night. All in all maybe disappointing for Tocumwal, known for it’s great soaring conditions and AGAIN , they are there, but everybody tried hard. You just have to come back an other year!!!
The special GFA shield was won by Queensland with “toppers ” as Adam, Mike and Butch. Kerrie mentioned:” Calculating the teams winners – pen and serviette vs phone spreadsheet – we finally decided QLD (Butch, Maddog, Woolley pup) just edged out Vic “
Happy chappies with Mike in the middle, flying the only Ventus 3 during this competition. As shared by Tocumwal Soaring Centre
Loved this picture. 2 Pilots I know already for a long, long time, still loving to be part of the scene,so they should!!!
Ingo on his way to 80, Tony [TT] over 80 already…still looking good!! As shared by Tocumwal Soaring Centre
Most of the ladies left already earlier for Lake Keepit . They attend the WWGC over there. Lisa [Totter] , Kerrie and Diana were still here till the end. I am very pleased that I can continue SOARING.EU over there. We leave in a few day’s and I hope to have as many readers world wide , as here or even more!!! Thanks for reading.
The other comps in South Africa finished yesterday as well with a cancelled day , not by smoke, or dust, but due to rain and wind. ” There is high cirrus and moisture in the air, and to the north it shows it is very moist. Strong winds are also a factor as it would be mean gusting cross-wind take off. The trigger temperature is quite high. “
So we have champions there as well: In18 m. 1. Oscar Goudriaan in JS 3 with 5.005 points.Great champion. 2. John Coutts in JS 3 with 4.714 p. 3. Arne Boye Moeller from Denmark in JS 3 with 4.639 p.
In sports class not all members of the Jonker family won as team Arjan Schaap in the DG 505 won the last flying day. 1. Uys & Maarten Jonkerin Janus C RG with 4.622 points. 2. Attie & Tienie Jonkerin Nimbus 4D with 4.182 p. 3. A. Schaap / R Denner in DG 505 with 4.180 p. TWOPOINTS!!!
Taking the afternoon off to do other things, CU tomorrow when nothing “important” happens today.
4 PM; We had a lovely lunch at BUSHLANDS, what a great place to go between the gum trees at the Murray River. Good food as well. Had not visited the place before . Then we had 2 visitors. One we liked…Scott Percival who came to say hello and one we did not like….a one meter long skinny brown SNAKE!!!! Diana noticed it first. It was moving at the door of the hangar , inside, where I have been sitting for 2 weeks…listening to the radio and writing!!! George saw it disappear around the corner outside. Pffff….. Will be more careful now in the hangar. Till now I only dealt with nasty looking spiders.
8.30 AM; The fore-casted change came through earlier than expected. Last night we admired the great sunset but we could see as well the change coming from the SW rapidly. Even Melbourne got smoke yesterday. Woke up at 2.45 AM from the wind. This morning it is quiet again with overcast and 25 dgr.C now. Should be going up to 35 dgr.C. Off to briefing at 9.30 as due to early leavers , there will be place today in the briefing room and a last day is always some kind of special. Not everybody thinks so, as I do see a few more pilots pack their glider in the trailer. Unfortunately nobody has seen the REAL Tocumwal weather these weeks. I can assure you again,it exists!!!!!! In fact the practice day was the best day with 161 km./h over 331 km.
TASKS HAVE BEEN SET for today the last day of these multi class comps: open/15 m; 332 km. 15m./st.; 242 km.
9.10 AM:
Coffee and lot’s of stories.
Whilst waiting for the briefing, the “smoko” is full of stories about weather, gliders ,engines and smoke. Swiss Chris brought for the Saturday- morning-get-together nice cherries out of his own garden.
Only a few left!!!
10 AM: Briefing is over. They “found” a window to fly in.The full change with started last night at 2.45, will be trough at around 11 AM, but in the afternoon a new layer of high clouds will appear. So a small window but a window!! The task setting was difficult as the weather today is very complex. They deal with smoke, left-overs from dust…there was a dust storm at Mildura yesterday…influences of cool air and a wind from the SW starting with 15 kts but increasing later in the day to 20/25 kts. At 12 PM they expect 4000 ft. at 1 it should be 5000. The trigger temperature to reach that is 32 dgr.C. Shear wave is possible!!! Thermal strength; 4/5 kts at 1 PM, up to 5/6 at 2 PM. Great weather briefing by Miles.
10.10: The weather changes always very quickly here. Overcast is disappearing, maybe wishful thinking..but back again,..it’s hot and not too much wind at the moment.BUT at 11 the wind is more blowing. Took even my bucket away from me. There should be NO delay with launches, otherwise the A task is not possible in the time frame.
A and B tasks have been set the B task has the same TP’S.
12 PM: the wind is picking up, the temperature drops a bit but the “die-hard” pilots are on 18 for the last day. BB and MM had to go via the scales and “good old Joergen” had his last day in the middle of the heat and wind at the spot where the gliders leave the tie-down-area to go to the taxi- way’s. You can only admire him for doing this job during the day’s. He packed the scale and after the scruteneering before the comps and the every-day-job at the scales ,he is off duty now. TOP JOB DONE!!!!
Andrea and Anton dropped in to have a word and they are going to fly from Monday onward with Lumpy and Sharon.As said they are long time guests here and lovely people. Brad [Edwards] just left,..they have a long way ahead of them. Distances to attend a competition are often huge here, even up to 3300 k sometimes.
12.15 PM: 2 Tuggies drove out to the field but were told to “go back”. They turned in front of me and are going back to the big hangar. For the time being??? You see I still have hope, but maybe against “all odds”.
12.45 PM; No flying yet.It looks a bit better to the SW . I can see trails from airliners flying over ,…so more blue skies here with some high clouds. The windsock is “in full swing”.
1.30 PM; They move to the B task ,a 2.45 AAT. One tug went out for a sniffer flight.Never give up,….it might work.
1.35PM; all tuggies are going to the strip.
1.45 PM; A 2d sniffer goes up. The first one HS mentions lift between 1.0 and 2 kts. He reports wind at the moment 16 kts.
1.55 PM; 2d sniffer reports 1.7 at 2800 ft.
2 PM; The safety officer Greg; ” The day is CANCELLED. Drop your ropes where you are, they will be picked up from the grid“! A pity but it is at it is. We know the Champions in all classes now and I know already that the trophies have been polished.
18m.class; 1. John Buchanan in JS 3 4.256 points… AUSTRALIAN CHAMPION. 2. Peter Temple in ASG 29 with 4.241 p. 3. Don Woodward in ASG 29 with 4.157 p.
Standard class; 1. Michael Durrant in LS 8 with 3.729 points..Australian Champion. 2. Peter Trotter in LS 8 with 3.570 p. 3. Miles Gore Brown in LS 8 with 3.547 p.
15 m. class; 1.Bernie Sizer in PIK 20 with 3.714 points ..Australian Champion. 2. Michael Durrant in LS 8 with 3.657 p. 3. Miles Gore Brown in LS 8 with 3.498 p.
Congratulations to ALL!!!!
Open class had only 1 participant flying a Nimbus 3DM but due to circumstances he did not fly the whole competition.
More later have to go to hospital now. Back from hospital , where they refreshed the bandage ,put a new one on and that should stay on for 5 day’s and then one more, for also 5 day’s .Then I should be brand new again. 4.30 PM. In the end they had mainly due to smoke and wind, 6 out of 12 day’s in open/18m and 5 in 15 m./standard. Not really Tocumwal-like. They tried hard, except for one day when they cancelled early just because they thought the last week should be booming and HIGH.
A “wrap up” tomorrow.
Off to Lake Keepit soon now. First waiting for the Czech crew to pick up the LS 1f. And the car.
Came back from town. We saw a fire , thought somebody was burning tires on a total-fire-ban-day,..but no…they know here. A speed boat had exploded. No more details , as yet. Very “creepy” feeling as sirens of the fire brigade are going on and one. With this wind and that noise,………
Visited Dennis and finally had time to make some pictures.
Absolutely fabulous red flowers from the oleander all around him.Nearly 32 years ago never forgottenThe oleander was planted by good old Jim , the gardener from Sportavia SC in the past .Only a few weeks after Dennis was buried there.
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In South Africa they are a bit more lucky with the weather … no smoke which helps…for their Nationals, though yesterday showed a small task for their part of the world as well. 348 km. was set and German pilot Klaus won the day with a speed of 130.07 km./h only just faster than John who lost 10 points on him by flying 129.31 km./h.. Bit of an off-day for Oscar, who was “only ” 8th for the day , but now worries he is still far ahead. Brother Laurens did not start for the day. With one day to go the overall results are now; Oscar with 5.005 p.,John with 4.714 p and Arne with 4.639 p. “ It seems to have been an interesting day, with lift between 1 m/s & 3.5 m/s and some got to approx. 11 000 ft. The expected high cirrus coverage appeared to have only been thicker to the north of Bloemhof Dam. “
We had a lovely dinner yesterday and the “Old Bank” was full of glider pilots both inside for those who love the airco but have to deal with noise, or outside where it was still warm and windy. Both spots were occupied. We caught up with Anton and Andrea from Austria , who just arrived for their so maniest year /season in Tocumwal. Lovely people. The day, today December 20 ,was a real topic. 45dgr .C and wind from the East it could either be a 1000 k day or because of the Easterly ……SMOKE.
You can’t see the gliders at the tie down area.Beautiful with the sun but NOT at an airfield!
You see how we woke up this morning. We just drove to the garage in town and the visibility is between 300 and 500 m on the ground. NEVER EVER saw this before in at least 33 stay’s in Toc. The smell is terrible and behind that is the sadness of those who are near to the fires and suffer so much more. This mornings message from the organizers; Briefing at 11 and “we hope for a miracle“. I really feel sorry for ALL of them. We have been new owners here too and each bad day when you have guests feels like a huge disappointment and even worse…..you only want the best for them but sometimes it’s beyond your control to have influence on it .
Hope the heat will improve the visibility later in the day. By the way those who have already left for Lake Keepit yesterday, have problems too it’s raining there.
Looking back at the day from yesterday; Butch won the 2 hour AAT, with a speed of 135.62 km./h. flying 289 km in time 2.08. He was one of the later starters. [16.10] Diana was the last to go on track, [16.21] not because she played the start game, but because she had difficulty to get higher. By the way it was indeed Tim so low over the hangar. He reached during the day 10.000 ft. but had great difficulties over the last km.’s. Diana as well but she made it in and never even got to 10.000 ft.!!! But,…during her flight she found a good thermal and lead 7 other pilots to a higher spot than where they were, “maybe even saved them.” With hopefully 2 day’s to go Butch leads [4.263 p] with 23 points for Pete Temple.Till number 7 they are in the 4000 points range. Feel VERY sorry for Ray who out-landed. He dropped from number 1 overall to 9.
In st. /15m. Bernie won the day with a speed of 111 km. in his PIK 20. He flew 238 km.in time 2.08. Michael lost 57 points so Bernie is alone at the top at this stage.[3.714] Till number 10 they are in the 3000 p. range.
More later. Having lunch at 12 PM. with my friends TT and Jo who drove to Toc, yesterday.
The new “safety” sock is ready for one winglet. Handmade! NOT in China.First ever made selfie!!!!Problems with breezing.
11.30 AM; Briefing is over. They remain POSITIVE. Tasks have been set The wind is picking up but still at this stage from the NE. A task;356 for 18m/open………to the E. and N. Don’t know yet for the other class. www.soaringspot.com the way to go……you can look at it later First expected launch at 2 PM. At this stage you can’t see 18/36, but you just can see Eddie’s yellow hangar now through the smoke. It’s very HOT. It will be 44 dgr. C all afternoon as my phone says. For me it feels nice warm!Hope for 45 to have something “new” in my life. As long as it does n’t start any fires.
Lesley shared some ABC news as it seems that in S.Australia roads melt under 49.9 dgr. C. ” ABC NEWS – Nullarbor was the hottest spot around the state yesterday, reaching an incredible 49.9C — the fourth hottest temperature ever recorded in Australia, overtaking Eucla in WA which reached that mark just hours earlier. “ 9 NEWS says on December 18:” A state of emergency has been declared in NSW over the next seven days amid dangerous fire conditions. “
1.45 PM; Just back from lunch. We had a lot to talk about. See the gliders at 36 ready to go at 2. Will go and listen now, what’s happening.Still very hazy but not as bad as in the morning.
2 PM; The safety officer just said/advised that all pilots can go back to an air-conditioned area. They will have 15 minutes notice via radio and phone for the start or of what’s happening next. Got a message from one of the readers; “Thank you. It’s great to be able to ‘be there’ without being there. “ That’s what it is all about!!!!! I moved from my “hot” seat in the front of the hangar temporal to an air-conditioned room as well.
VERY hot ,…..but I can still manage.
2.45 PM; New task for 18m./open Task C ;243 km.Now to the West ,that makes more sense.
3 PM:THE DAY IS CANCELLED. That’s what most pilots expected already. Bloody smoke, bloody heat. Though I like the heat. WP , Arnold, left with his trailer this afternoon. At least you can say ” they tried hard.”, though I did not understand why A tasks were set to the N and E. Last day tomorrow. SUCH A PITY this smoke and weather ,…as I know how good Tocumwal conditions can be. Most probably they fly over Christmas 1000 km. flights again. It is as it is! Even the big black flies are not hanging around in the toilet area, TOO HOT for them. Poor “maggies” walk around with their beak open. Wish we had a thermometer to see if we reach the magic 45!!!!
6 PM: Got one from George and Diana. At 6 PM it was still 42 dgr.C. at the spot where I normally sit in front of the hangar. Did miss out on the 45, but no worries. Wind changed to the W and it is totally clear there now. The E is still a bit hazy. Tomorrow is another day,…the last day of the Multi Class Nationals here in Toc…Hope it will be a good one.
On the South African National comps: After a non flying day they flew again yesterday, but nothing changed in best speed …it was again for Oscar 157.53 km./h over 401 km. John was runner up and Danish pilot Anders [Andersen,who flew in the past here too] was 3d. Oscar is really “on fire”!!!! With 2 day’s to go he leads with more than 400 points. Between runner up, brother Laurens and their friend Arne there is only a difference of 3 points!!!!!! Friends or not they are going to do their utmost best. On yesterday:” some pilots saying the lift was better under the clouds, whilst others said in the blue was a lot better and it carried. One pilot had a wonderful 8.1 m/s. but average it appears to have been 4 – 5 m/s. “
10; AM on Thursday the 19th of December. We woke up to overcast!!!Nearly no wind and only a bit of blue sky to the SW. Still a bit hazy to the East. Briefing postponed to 11 AM. We checked yesterday with our friends in Narromine and Corowa and they had smoke as well. Allan wrote in his OLC_comment from December 17 ; “ Day 5 of the Nationals, and after the 3:30 AAT task was cancelled after the start gate had opened, David Collins and I decided to continue the task. Conditions were hazy but well within VMC, and most climbs were only going to 3500ft, but progress was easy and thermals were regular and predictable. Finally we got a really nice climb to 6500ft, which put us onto glide home. Nice pair flying with David – not often you can do it during a competition! “ They flew 248 km.
Charlies airtruk got some more attention since yesterday which is good. Pilot number 6 was Jamie, who I also know since he was maybe 20 !?. He went back to work after towing in the hangar at the other site of the field.
I got my hat on the winning raffle-ticket number 11.Judy asked me if I had lost it ,but I never got it. I do now!
Very pleased with it. THANK YOU.
Some good friends arrive today for a long weekend. My arm did not hurt last night which is good. The skin is scalped over 2 x 2 cm. But I nicely put it back , did a good job according to the nurse.
More later.
12 AM; Tasks have been set. First launch at 2 PM. They will soon be at www.soaringspot.com
12.30 : 402 km for open and 18 m and 443 for the 15 m and st. pilots. it will be 41 again today. it feel already hotter now. As they launch again from 18 it’s too hot and too far to go to the field to make pictures from pilots in their gliders. I hoped for one day that 09 would be open for launches , I can walk there, but ……
2 PM; Before the estimated launch time at 2 PM, several pilots were send up as sniffer. I guess about 5 CH ,Swiss Chris was one , but sniffer number 1 was Adam. He had some critic on the organization yesterday, so he was asked to go up as a sniffer. He was singing on tow..” I am so happy…I am flying.” At 900 ft he reported a visibility of 50 km. At 3000 ft. 25/30 visibility . Swiss Chris mentioned 4 kts whilst passing 4500 ft. That was about the max height at that time. Adam reports “easy conditions” with 3/5 kts. and mentions “it is stable I don’t see a reason to not start.” Another pilot mentioned 5.500 ft.
They still decided to go to task B. Most probably because of time. Adam agreed on changing the task in the air.He got the task by phone. In the past this was all impossible, soaring has grown more and more technical. He successfully entered the B task, he mentioned!!! He needs 130 points to win in his class, it ‘s clear he is going for it!!!! Ray [Stewart] is on spot 1 with 3.677 points at this stage. Followed by Pete Temple, Butch and Don [Woodward] Casey ]Lewis] and then Adam with 3.535 p.
In 15m/st. it’s even more exciting as there are 2 pilots equal on spot 1:Bernie [Sizer] Michael [Durrant] ;3.057 p. So EVERYTHING can still happen for ALL of them, scores are very close which makes it all very exciting!!! The top 5 still has chances to win.
2 Hour AAT in 18m/open and the same task for the smaller ships. GOOD LUCK TO ALL. Start line for 15m./st. opens at 15.05for task B Startline for open/18m opens at 15.40for task B. They delayed this start line to 15.50!!! When they go straight away over the start line you know they will be back in hopefully 2 hours. Some time off now!!!
Ellen original from Holland and here with Tim drove up here and said “THAT IS NOT TIM THERE IS IT”. We said no, the letters are not red. Good,…… the glider came lower and lower over the BIG hangar and our hangar and it was Tim. We could clearly see FA. We yelled him UP!!!! Both hangars did him well, He is high up now. Some struggle. One tug stays ready for eventual re- launches, but it looks pretty good at this stage. Some strong thermals pass by “rocking” the hangar!!! Still “bloody HOT”!!!!!! Christmas holiday’s start here today! Back later.
4 PM; Strong thermals ” rock” the hangar. I heard they are at 7.500 ft. Looks like a good day.
4.15 PM; Reports of 8.900 ft.
4.45 PM; Hear some pilots are over 10.000 ft now. It seems David Pietsch is over 11.000 highest at this stage of all. Heard also that some were playing the start-game very long. The wind from the S is picking up!!! Exciting stuff, it turns out to be real good day. The organizers deserve that.
5 PM; The finish line people are just going to the field. The very first starters from 15 m./ st. might be back in 2 hours. and that would be in 5 minutes. Swiss Chris might be right the wind from the S is now really picking up. A small “Disaster” for the late starters?? Let’s wait and see.
5.15 PM; The tracking still shows pilots at 7000 ft. I could see one CU to the East. Chris mentioned clouds whilst he flew at Jerilderie. Nobody in yet so no early starters in 15 m/st class. I don’t think they struggle now. Good conditions only more wind from the S.
5.30 PM; The first pilot announced his arrival. Missed his call sign but you can see it all at soaringspot soon. Wind from the S ….at this stage 15 kts. On the request of the safety officer if it was a good day the answer was : “mixed but lovely”. It was NP , and does NOT belong to the comps.
5.45PM; Another 2 pilots landed.As you know it does n’t mean anything. It depends all on distance and time. More and more are landing now also from open and 18 m. Please check www.soaringspot.com for the scores.
6.30 PM: So far. so good….Saw nice finishes and it looks like a good day.
I am making “socks” for the winglet’s from Diana’s glider.
She cuts…… I do the sewing.
They had no task in South Africa yesterday, so no scores either.
It’s either wind or smoke making life difficult during this multi class championship and you can’t do anything against it. It is as it is!!!We woke up with smoke around us, specially to the East it is thick looking from the ground. BUT,..no worries for the organizers, they expect that the smoke will “go up” with the thermals and even oxygen has to be taken as it can be a good and high day. So tasks have been set. “When it is hot enough the trigger temperature might burn the inversion and the smoke out!” At 1 PM it will be 40 at 2 and 3 PM 41 dgr. C.!!!!! 524 km. for open and 18 m. and 555 km. for 15 m. and standard!!!!
524 for 18m./ open555 for st and 15 m.
The gliders are on the way to 36 as the wind is from the N, but there is nearly no wind. First launch to be expected at 1 PM.
Ready to go to 36.
Back on this later.
It’s 1 PM. The tuggies are ready at the field. The sniffer is up now and reports 5000 ft with lift from 5 kts and less than 10 km. visibility. He will report again when he is at 6000 ft.
Tuggies should NEVER be forgotten!!! With the tow master Selwyn Ellis, the as I heard very good AG pilot Haydn Death member of a big crop-duster family-business in Albury , Tim Cooke, I know already for a long time, the Czech pilot Marek and Bill Harvey who I know for “100 years” . One is missing he was in an other hangar.
1. 15 PM. Another sniffer went up. They reach 5.500. The decision is made they are going to task B. One of the pilot’s airborne , Andy, was asked if he had a problem to go to task B whilst flying. He had no problem “should be fine“. In between the wind is picking up a bit and more Westerly. That will help!! The West looks pretty good already. The several power planes coming in used 09 . Have to find out about the B task!
1 45.PM; UKP [ hearing the voice it might be Grant] mentions at 40 k out to the N a visibility of 5 k, ” smoke is thicker” ,but he has reached 6000 ft now with 5 kts. GG , mentions on the question if the visibility has improved ” Not at all”. The organizers try hard to get the best out of the day as this is a National competition. They have not yet given up .
2.15 PM; In between another sniffer was send up and dropped off pretty low ,I guess to check the circumstances over the field. Then the decision was made to wait at least for another hour. So all cars drive back to find some cool spots. We are stand by here too. Wind still from the W and it looks still pretty good there. I have more and more hope they can squeeze a day out with a small task.
2.45 PM; They tried hard, but just had to cancel the day. A pity. As said “it is as it is” Hurt the skin of my arm. Quite a piece was scrubbed up , so Colin had to be some kind of doctor as well.
Nothing to worry about …I guess. Plaster and lodine.
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I have to tell you about Colin. He is just the most easy going “bloke” here in Toc and whatever is broken he repairs it. Even my favorite sunglasses. I had no hope for them and this morning he brought them back…repaired!!! He helps with the trailer, he repaired the wing walker, he helped with the wires in the JS 3, and in between he runs to the other hangar to do the annual check on the Caproni or to friends to repair a flyer-wire door at the house. He even found a rack to hang my clothes on in the op- shop. A man from many trades!!!! A great mate!!! THANKS!!!
Colin deserves ALL the compliments in the world.
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Good news from the South African Nationals as well. I thought I just follow the 18 m./open class but the sports class is very interesting with nearly all Jonker’s flying. Here is their story from yesterday ” Yesterday has been a very special day for the JONKER family at the South African Nationals in Sports Class on competition day 3 in Welkom. The winners for yesterday in the Sports Class was a total Jonker ‘TAKE-OVER’ with Uys and youngest son Maarten winning the day flying 290,45 km at a speed of 86.14 kph. 2nd was Phillip & Christiaan (Uys’ elder son & Attie’s younger son) flying 284,62 km at 84.84 kph, and 3rd was Attie with Tienie (his elder son) flying 307,91 km at 94,54 kph. And all 3 JONKER-crews flying SCHEMPP-HIRTH gliders!!! A JANUS C, DUO DISCUS and NIMBUS 4D. Maybe the next Jonker Sailplanes glider to come should be a double seater! In the Open/18m class speeds were improved on the previous day with Oscar Goudriaan at 103,99 kph, Arnie Boye-Moller 2nd at 103,77 kph, and 3rd was Laurens Goudriaan at 102,93 kph. “
Uys and youngest son Maarten winning the day in Sports Class. GREAT FAMILY!!!! The next generation is jumping up and down to take over “soon”. What a life style for all those kids!!! Shared by Jonker Sailplanes
So looking at their 3.30 AAT it was a “clean sweep” for the family. Looking at the overall scores for that class indeed they take over too. Great fun….. go on like that!!! In open /18 m. the speed was TOP again, 163 km./h for winning Oscar, 162 km./h for runner up John and at 3d spot Laurens with 160 km./h. They had a set task from 594 km. and there are 15 pilots in this class each of them flies a JS ” I gather the lift was average 4 m/s or so and some pilots got to 15 000 ft or higher ,”
Some more pics from the “Ugly Duckie ” with respect and 5 from the 6 tuggies. On my way to find the name.
In front of the TRANSAVIA AIRTRUCK The interior at the top deck and one more from the lower seat.Transavia is the company [100% daughter from KLM] where our daughter Inge flies as captain.
Thanks guy’s!
In between the UK pilots have all arrived in Lake Keepit. Ayala is still on the list here but she is in Keepit.
With Ayala to the left , Liz in the middle and Claudia. As shared by the British Gliding Team
5.30 PM;
A real hospitaL “WRAP”
just back from the hospital where they put more bandage on my arm. They were impressed with Colin’s job. We visited also Val Riley, when we were there. She looks very good!!! 89 She is now and the second wife from Bill Riley.
BBQ tonight at the WW2 hangar and a pub quiz.
BBQ tonight. Ellen helps out.
CU tomorrow. look at the message please.
Another time for briefing, not at 10 but at 9.30.Noticed it at the window when I passed by. Just to remind you!!!
Well, that’s over and done with for another year. What a good one- and- a -half -day it was. Pick- nick at the river on Sunday afternoon with some of the girls and yesterday a great lunch in the Antique shop , one of the sponsor’s of this multi class national competition. 73 Now…hope to continue for a few more years!!! Thanks also for all the flowers, bottles, messages, FB messages, emails , phone calls and all other personal congratulations. I felt very much “loved”!
beautiful plate full of sandwiches prepared by Lynn Great company from another 5 of my friends. Organized by Deslee.Picknick at the river with 5 and after 4 hours there was still food and bubbles left. Great afternoon.THANKS Margie for organizing.
Back to reality and back on track. For sure they flew here over those 2 day’s I was celebrating. Sunday only a small task for open and 18 m; 154 km. Won by Adam. Yesterday a longer task for both classes; Butch won the 361 km. task in 18 m /open with a speed of 111 km./h. Tobias Geiger from Benalla won the other class ;312 km with a speed of 99 km./h. For today a 3.15 AAT is set for open/18 m and a 4 hour AAT for the small ships. As Diana won the protest she filed, she is flying the comps now till the end and she is a very happy girl “singing” through the hangar. It means that due to lack of chairs in the briefing room…there are enough for the pilots… I will not go there as Diana occupies her chair now!!!
Brasilian Nationals; Congratulations to Henrique Navarro who won the Brazilian Nationals in open class; 4.816 points for flying 6 out of 7 day’s in his Nimbus 4T. He won 3 day’s and was 2d on 3 as well and Egon Rehn who was runner up won 3 day’s as well. Egon flew his ASW 22 BLE and lost about 180 points on day 1. It was more a Henrique /Egon show over there in Palmeira das Missões,
” and we did it! National gliding champion for the 8th time!! Soooooo happy! “
In racing class Luis Affonso won in Jantar 3 [4.537 points] and in club class Sergio Bassi in Elfe S4.[4.586 points] .
The South African Nationals are still in full swing too …they started on the 14th. As said, Oscar won day 1 with 369 km. with a great speed of 149 km.h. with Klaus Kalmbach from Germany as runner up. Day 2 was for Arne from Denmark a 288 km task and it must have been a difficult day as the speed was 88 km./h. Yesterday they had 375 km and Oscar added another 1000 points to his total. Arne 996 points. Both flew 103 km./h. ” Despite a lot less wind, it seems as if conditions were not so easy – not getting that high 9 – 9 500 ft, and broken not very strong thermals 1 – 1.5 m/s.” 2 Outlandings! Will keep you informed.
12.15 AM; The windsock hangs a bit and looking at the far East it’s pretty hazy. The tuggies are going to the field. The sniffer reports 3 to 4 kts. and best height till now was 3300 ft.according to the pilot.
12.35 AM; All pilots are asked to come to the front of the grid! The sniffer, a 2 seater Janus with call sign ZAV, just landedat 09.
1 PM; First launch. I can just see them climb pretty good to the SW of the field , though the visibility in my eyes is very low!! The small ships were “up” in 20 minutes so their line opens at 13.45!!
1.35 PM; Heard a pilot over the radio;”I am not flying with this visibility to the N.”
1.45;PM The organisation advises about visibility; “12 K at Narradera and 18 k at Albury.”
2 PM; have to sort things out again first ! Well it is 4.30 now. I went to Vicky as she does the radio calls and checked if the line for the small ships indeed was opened at 13.45. It was. Then due to more smoke coming with the N E- sterly the day was cancelled. I thought for open and 18 m. only ,as the line was open for the small ships and according to the rules I learned when I was steward, you can only cancel the day in the air, then, when everybody is notified personally by radio or phone. BE AWARE…..That rule might have changed and I do not have the annex with me. So I have no opinion now and wait to find out how this is going to be solved. When all pilots in this class were notified and all knew it was cancelled, there will be no problem. The line for open/18 m was never opened. The safety officer asked advice from some experienced pilots ; their advice was to cancel the day. At soaring spot all classes were later cancelled. Interesting day. Looking forward to see how this works out. In my opinion cancellation of the day was a wise decision others think a visibility of 5 km is still good enough. Mmmmm…
2.30 PM: 4 Pilots asked permission to continue flying among them Butch and Adam who asked for it. They were allowed and were at Urana already. Adam shared a picture from the air.
Day cancelled in flight, due to poor visibility (photo taken at time of cancel). Around an hour after I went to 18km from Tocumwal at 4000′, that’s where I lost site of the field. Parts of Adam’s comment on the day. see for more Adam Woolley’s Gliding Adventures
I felt sorry for the safety officer,he had a tough job to advise the pilots coming back and in between advise guest- power -planes ,who wanted to land here or depart. He asked those pilots if they had seen the NOTAM. In the end it all went smooth and disciplined. Here is the weather forecast from my phone. Will see how accurate it is. Was already happy it found Tocumwal.
Another day over and it will be hotter tomorrow, Wednesday 40 dgr.C and 03 bft wind from the East, that’s not what we want as it might bring more smoke. Thursday will be sunny with clouds and up to 42 and a change of wind to W 4 bft. and Friday will be horrible with 46 dgr.c here in Toc sunny and some clouds and maybe 0.7 mm of what they call rain, it might not even reach the ground.Wind NW 4 bft. that might help. Saturday ;41 dgr.C as top, 0.2 mm of rain, wind W. 4 bft.
9 AM: Compliments to ALL pilots yesterday, they performed well on a tricky day. In the end even 16 pilots finished in 18m./open. From the 11 who were “out” , 6 still did very well. Great job from Ray,…the only one over 100 km./h. That says how difficult the day was. In st./15 m. , who had a 3.45 AAT, 6 from 16 finished. 3 Of them flew more than 5 hours but finished with the task flown!!! Chapeau!!!Miles even did 5.30 [ speed 66.88 km./h] but was “in” after flying 368 km. .
The last trailer arrived at 8.30 PM at the field. Most made it to the dinner , sponsored by JONKER SAILPLANES!! After the dinner there was a ” live hook up with AP and Bossie in the factory at Potchefstroom to discuss the news from Jonkers which included a talk on the JS2, JS4 and the newly announced JS5 “
Talking about S.A., the South African Nationals , have started yesterday with a 369 task in 18 m. class and Oscar won the day with 149 km./h. 15 Pilots in this class …Laurens was 3d and Arne 4th. Try to keep an eye on this important competition in 18 m. as well. The sports class is a family affair for the Jonker’s. Uys & Maarten Jonker fly the Janus C RG . Attie & Tienie Jonker a NIMBUS 4D. Phillip & Khristian Jonker the Duo Discus. 7 In this class. Riaan Denner won day 1 in his DG 505.
More about S.A; Quite a few of my friends fly from Worcester and this morning I found a nice picture shared by Sven from the field.
Worcester-magic as shared by Sven Olivier.
Just to let you know; Today and tomorrow I cannot be all day involved in writing, sorry about that. Birthday things,you know…???!!! Will attend the briefing. No sun yet and 24 dgr.C going up to 30 today in the afternoon.
11.AM Here are the proud winners from yesterday as they deserve their picture in the blog after their win on what the CD called a “horror day”.
Peter Trotter…well done!!!!!Ray Stewart…winner in open / 18m.
Only one class flying today [open/18 m. and a short task it is.
12.30 PM; Time to look at other good flights and then FRIDAY the 13th was such a day. First in Argentina , where 2 Stemme’s flew over 2.800 km. with a speed of 195.8 km./h!!!!Of course Klaus was one of them and his reaction was “cool”: ” I didn’t expect, that it was so good. But it was a tricky day. A lot of humidity with rain and low clouds, sometimes blocking the waves. Playing around, that’s gliding .” The other pilot was Thomas Horz also from Germany ; He was a bit more outgoing:” Absolute impressing flight! “ They started from Zapala Neuquen . Also from Argentina 1.916 km. in a 15 m. DG 808 by Jean Marc Perrin from Jose De San Mart . Another great flight by well known kilometer eater Guy Bechtold flying with Bernd Weber from a field in Namibia I never heard of till now…. Gobabis ; 1.342 km [1.173 FAI triangle] with a speed of 142 km./h.
