Month of March at Waikerie
We have had visitors from all over, Hans from Switzerland. Anna Baik, Carl Williams, John Hayward and Justin Allison from the UK. John Dunthorp from Scotland. Nobuyuki Sasaki from Japan.
Justin had never been gliding before apart from a ride with a friend back in the UK. His plan was to spend 2 or 3 days with us to get a bit of an idea on our sport and then go scuba diving on the west coast. Well he didn’t get to go diving!! Justin was so taken with the gliding he stayed for four weeks and accomplished the following- Went solo, achieved Australian A,B and C certificates, rated to fly Cross Country. FAI Silver Height Gain and Distance. Flew Twin Astir, Astir CS and CS77, Hornet, LS1f, LS4a, Discus b and Duo Discus. Justin experienced Blue days, Cumulous days, windy days, difficult days and just really great days, so he’s almost seen the whole bag! Not a bad achievement. His Gold Height was almost there but not quite enough gain of height. Justin also became more efficient at cross country as he had his Gold Distance in mind but didn’t quite get there. A very good effort over such a short time. Well done mate!!
Mark Morgan
- Thursday, April 11, 2002 at 16:55:15 (CST)
Tuesday 19th Feb
The temptrace looked very inviting today. With an expected maximum of 37C the clouds would form at 8 to 9 thousand and then climb to 10 or 11 thousand. Pilots present started preparing for the coming day.
The daily temperature reached 39C. The thermal activity topped out at 10,000 feet with cumulous overhead. The day finished late because of the northerly airstream. A trough line is expected overnight which should bring a new air mass.
Mark
- Wednesday, February 20, 2002 at 10:31:01 (CST)
It's hot enough today (36 deg C at Renmark) and there are some high Cu. Until the news appears here, we'll have to look at this photo (54k) of the Waikerie sky and think about it.
Pete
- Tuesday, February 19, 2002 at 16:31:44 (CST)
Monday 18th Feb
A good morning trace showed probable height of 7.5 to 8 thousand feet as the temperature rises to 32C.
Congratulations to Kunio Yamashita who at the age of 76 has again achieved his solo status after a 2 year break from gliding.
Mark
- Monday, February 18, 2002 at 17:26:03 (CST)
Sunday 17th Feb
Early morning dew gave an indicator of Cloud for the day. But the drying air lowered the dew point and no cloud formed. A pleasant 5,500 foot climbs where available and enjoyed by pilots. Welcome to Mr. Nakamura and his wife who have joined us to fly the Duo Discus for a week or so.
Mark
- Monday, February 18, 2002 at 17:25:37 (CST)
Saturday 16th Feb
The previous days weather pattern bought a total change to our air mass. Cooler south westerly with convective cloud forming at 8.30 am and clearing to a blue sky by midday. 5,000 feet of thermal activity as available soaring conditions. Congratulations to Noburo Hotta who soloed today!!!
Mark
- Monday, February 18, 2002 at 17:25:01 (CST)
Friday 15th Feb
The morning bought high overcast cloud moving fast from the north west. Rising temperatures and high humidity electrical storm activity a little to the west. One of the local showers went through at 10.30 am to deliver 1.5mm of rain. The sky cleared and flying resumed for the remainder of the day with pleasant thermal activity.
Mark
- Monday, February 18, 2002 at 17:24:25 (CST)
Thursday Feb 14th
The morning weather data showed a temptrace on the lapse at the lapse rate from the ground to 10,00 feet and then slightly positive from there to 16,00feet. With the expected maximum temperature imposed the weather looked really good. A trigger temperature of 34C was needed to start the first thermals and with an expected 39C it was going to go through the roof!!!
The first thermals popped CUs at 10,000 feet at 11.30 pm. All the pilots present launched into a growing sky and quickly disappeared vertically. The shy directly overhead of Waikerie was blue and 12,000 feet but only a few Kms to the east was a trough line where the CUs based at 14,500 feet.
Flying rules for the day was – “don’t turn until the vario hit the stops!!!”. Large strong thermals were present under the convective cloud. Turning in the upper layers was not necessary as the lift was that constant you could easily maintain height at speed.
One of the local members in his Libelle reported bases at 15,500 to the north west with thermal shear to 16,000.
All pilots enjoyed a very pleasurable and cool day under the large umbrellas. Only one distance flight was claimed, a 500 Diamond distance by Yutaka Hotta as the other pilots were just enjoying the high day!!
mark
- Monday, February 18, 2002 at 17:23:25 (CST)
James Davison flew with us for a few days, and took these 360 degree VR pictures for the website. Thanks James! We've only put up the low resolution JPEGs here - they're still big.
- 10 Feb 2002 waikerie1.jpg, 97k - view around the tarmac area at end of day
- 11 Feb 2002 waikerie2.jpg, 136k - runway, some takeoff activity
- 12 Feb 2002 waikerie3.jpg, 153k - nearly empty runway
- Wednesday, February 13, 2002 at 12:27:08 (CST)
6th Feb
The last few days have been blue with good climbs between 5,000 and 7,000 feet.
But today was pick so far. (see photo, late afternoon.) With an influence from cyclone Chris moving moisture in from the north-west, cumulus started to form at 3,000 feet by 10am. The pilots started moving as they had not been watching the temperature heating rate. A training flight was happily climbing through 3,500 in 6 knots of lift by 10.30am.
The flotilla of gliders launched, each with their own task declared.
By 3.30pm the climbs were fast to 8,000 feet and by 4.30 pilots reported cloud base at 9,000 feet.
Mr. Nishizato (Discus bT) attempted his 750km task only having to turn back when he flew into a stable sky east of Bordertown. Mr. Horii (LS4a) was successful with his 500 km Diamond Distance only to discover his barograph has malfunctioned and only showed a single height gain. Bad Luck mate!! It pays to check your equipment is running before take off!!
Allen Hudson (ASW20) and Craig Vinall (LS6b) flew a fast 515km. Iseki Shun also completed his 500 km Diamond Distance in his LS3. Steve Steer (Hornet) flew a lazy 450km. John Hudson officially flew his Silver Distance in one of the Twin Astirs as there was not much left in the hangar to choose from. It is unsure how far Rob Polnitz (Discus) flew. Geoff Neely (DG400) flew 480km. Gerd Wurster (Astir 77) spent the day studying the local turnpoints. Mr. Ito gets the prize of the day for a completed 500km in an unballasted Astir CS.
Mark Morgan
- Thursday, February 07, 2002 at 11:29:00 (CST)
Thursday 25th January
All Pilots had a wonderful day enjoying the conditions.
Toshifumi Wakai warmed up with a 200km task and then flew a speed triangle and successfully flew 100 km task to achieve a Japanese National Speed record. Congratulations Wakai-san, well done.
Monday 28th January
Takaaki Isono enjoyed a flight of 5hrs 52mins to achieve his Silver Duration , congradulations
Mark Morgan
- Wednesday, January 30, 2002 at 13:24:37 (CST)
An omission from Saturday's efforts at Waikerie.
Another of our members, Michi Uchida flew just over 600 kms so this brings our cumulative distance for the day to just over 8,100kms.
Definitely a great day.
Mark Morgan
- Wednesday, January 23, 2002 at 08:18:29 (CST)
Tuesday 22nd January
As expected it rained most of Monday. We only received 9mm of rain and the day was overcast with low temperatures.
Today though was very different, starting out overcast and by midday breaking into a nice cumulus sky.
Most of the pilots have recovered well from the Saturday night celebrations and are back in the sky now.
Mark Morgan
- Tuesday, January 22, 2002 at 16:32:27 (CST)
Sunday 20th Jan
A cloud covered sky with high atmosphere temperatures showed that a temperature of 37C was required to break the inversion and send the thermal activity to 9,000 feet with CU, but unfortunately a troughline moving through killed any chances and the temperature only reached 34C.
Monday 21st January
Upper level cloud moving down from the north west has covered most of southern and eastern Australia. It is expected to rain here all day. The upper air has cooled a lot overnight. A blocking High against New Zealand is expected to slow the movement of the present pattern.
Mark Morgan
- Monday, January 21, 2002 at 09:56:30 (CST)
Saturday 19th Jan
The day looked very promising after the morning weather information had been gathered (Morning Farytale). Yugi Higuchi launched at 10.16 in ASW22 QL for a 1000k attempt releasing at 6,000ft to glide off on task, the tail wind assisting.
With reports from Higuchi the next glider launched at 11.41, followed closely by a steady stream of glass taking to the sky. The initial thermals were moderate to 2 ½ to 3 thousand. When the break point was reached the sky virtually rose continuously to peak out to 14,500 feet at cloud base.
Kaori Muroi (Discus) and Michael Brett (Astir CS) soared around their 300km Gold Distance. Hiroshige Kurokawa (Discus) cruised 340km. Horitaka Yokoi (Hornet) and Geoff Neely (DG400) both enjoyed a lazy 470km.
Hiroko Yokoi (Duo Discus), Hideyuki Takikawa (LS1f) and Koya Ono (Astir CS77) each flew their Diamond Distance flights of 500km.
Toshifumi Wakai, Eiji Komiya and Mark Morgan flew 766km. Wakai flying LS3 (UKC) and Morgan (ASW19 WL) were racing to be first home to win the club trophy of the first 750 of the year.
Wakai finished first with Morgan only 30 seconds behind. Very happy fellows, Wakai gets the trophy, Morgan was very happy with the 766km in 6hrs 45min to achieve 113kph.
Craig Ward and instructor Bill Mudge launched at 17.00 for a bit of cool air and a quick 188km.
Keith Willis enjoyed 8 hours in the PW5 just keeping cool.
At 18.00 Higuchi cruised overtop to complete his 1007 task.
An accumulated 7,500km were flown from Waikerie today.
By 10pm the celebrations ended with all being thrown in the pool.
Mark Morgan
- Monday, January 21, 2002 at 09:55:41 (CST)
Wednesday 16th Jan 2002
Koya Ono completed a flight of 303km attempting his Gold Distance
Miss Kaori Muroi flew her 5 hours duration.
Thursday 17th Jan 2002
Miss Kaori Muroi flew her 50km Silver Distance, out/return to Loxton Wheat Bunker 116km, Discusb (HP)
Koya Ono completed his Diamond Goal flight of 303km, WKI A/F- Peebinga- Morgan- WKI A/F, LS4 (ZBC)
Hideyuki Takikawa flew 2x 103km task in practice for his 300km flight. First leg took 1hr 20min and the second 55mins. WKI – Maggea – Kingston - WKI. Second time average was 112kph in LS1f (EB)
Toshifumi Wakai flew 350km + , with a 580km task in mind but was cut short with a burst water balast bag. LS3 (UKC) is drying over night for tomorrows weather.
Yugi Higuchi (ASW22) and Egi Komiya (LS6) flew 500+.
Instructor Nigel and Scottish pilot Robert Dunthorn flew a familiarization and checking flight round a 103km task in 58 mins. in the Twin Astir.
Weather maxed at 7,000 feet with the temp. not reaching the expected 33C.
Mark Morgan
- Thursday, January 17, 2002 at 20:18:35 (CST)
What’s Been Happening.
Shoji Sasaki and Yuji Sameshima both achieved their Silver Badges for Height Gain, Duration and 50km Distance on 27th November.
During the Basic Cross Country Course Derek Spencer from the Adelaide Uni Club achieved his 50kmDistance in his Boomerang with an out and return to Loxton Wheat Bunker of 116km in windy conditions. Mark Newton also of the Uni Club in a Libelle 205 also completed the same task 2 days later.
Geoff Vincent from the Mangalore Club in Victoria attempted his 300km Distance but was happy with 184km to gain his 50k Badge.
Evan Andrews from Tasmania also achieved his 50km Distance to the Bunker and back.
Another glider arrived at Waikerie early in the season, Nimbus 4DM, ZBY. Syndicate members have relocated to Waikerie. Yokoi-san had a week visit in mid December. Both he and his wife have returned to enjoy some more flying with us. Although ZBY will not fly this season, it will be ready for those long flights next summer.
New club member Keith Willis has bought the PW5 (ZAW) in which he set all those Ozzie and World records in from the Bordertown and has it hangared at Waikerie for the summer. ZAW is available for hire if anyone would like to try it out.
Anders Olsson a member from Sweden, spent nearly 2 months again at Waikerie from mid November to early January flying his ASW22 , QL. Even though no great distance flights were made he still had a lot of fun flying most days during his stay.
Neville Andersen flew his 50km out & return for a total distance of 116km
Tohuru Ikeda from SATA spent a week in the new year with us flying his ASW22 QL.
Another visit from the Kishimoto family of SATA club in Japan. Nibuhiro and Mitsu, and the girls Minami and Aki. Nobuhiro was out practising in his LS3 (UKC) for his 750 badge but was unable to achieve his goal this visit. During Nobuhiro’s last 750 attempt, he was quite pleased with the 140 kph average to the first turn and ½ of the second leg. He then flew into a changing airmass which slowed his progress.
Mitsu has been practising her skills and has moved through the Astir CS to CS77, LS1f and is now flying the Discus. While flying the LS1f (GEB), Mitsu achieved her 50km Silver Distance with an out & return to the Loxton Wheat Bunker, a flight of 116 km. A couple of days later Mistu flew an out & return to Alawoona a flight of 150km. Mitsu then started preparing for a 300km attempt. On Jan. 10 Mitsu achieved 324km for her Gold Distance, Waikerie- Alawoona- Pelican Piont- Wunkar- Waikerie. All of her photos were in excellent sector position.
Our racing team of members, Mr. Nakayama, Dr. Shimizu, Mr. Okai, Mr. Suzuki & Mr. Hotta visited us again over the Christmas, New Year period to fly their gliders, Duo Discus, ASH26e and Discus bT.
Mr. Kanno visited again and bought daughter Aki with for a couple of weeks.
Terakawa-san only had a few days to spent with us to fly his LS4 ZBC, a friend accompanied him Mr. Teranishi, himself an instructor and towpilot, and flew the LS6, XJA.
A Christmas / New Year greeting letter from Fritz and Annemarie Romig of Austria saying hello to all and all the best.
A drop in visit from the VMFG group of seven gliders while enroute on their Safari. They were caught by weather for 3 days before departing for Wilpena Pound.
Mr. Hotta will relocate his glider Discus bT GOE to a new gliding club being set up in Japan close to Tokyo. GOE is being replaced with a new glider, Discus 2 T which is due to arrive in September 2002.
Mr. Kimura spent a week with us to fly is new LS6b XJA bringing a couple of friends with him Mr. Motomura and Mr. Chiba. They flew the LS4 (ZBC) and Discus b ( HP)
The Pik 20 team, WVC of Grant Hudson and Sam Lacey spent a couple of days with us flying. After WVC having spent 3 years 3 months out of the air while having a complete overhaul, is now returning to its home club at Balaklava.
Rudi Gaissmear in his LS4 TOP and Noel Rodeger in the Stemme 10 dropped in for a quick visit when they had a day off from their busy schedule at Airbourne Research. Accompanying Noel in the Stemme was an ex USAF test pilot who was involved in the development of the Egret high altitude aircraft, it appears he has flown almost everything including the SR-71 Blackbird and the U2 spy plane. Very interesting individual!
A visit from long time member David Piesch and his ASW 20 (was KYE now GZZ) for a few days, nice to see you again David. David presently resides in Canberra and flies with the Cooma club but will soon be moving to Williamtown with his work in the RAAF.
Yugi Higuchi, CFI of SATA is flying his ASW22 (QL). Also from Sata Toshifumi Wakai flying his LS3 (UKC) attempted on 14th Jan a Japanese speed record for the 100km triangle and achieved 127kph. The claim is still to be verified. The day started late but soon thermal activity reached 7,000ft and later8,000. Mr. & Mrs. Yokoi contacted the wave and climbed to 11,700ft later in the afternoon flying DDH the Duo Discus.
Mark Morgan
- Thursday, January 17, 2002 at 16:36:56 (CST)
It was pretty busy at Waikerie last week, with the South Australian Gliding Competition. Bernard Eckey won: the comps have their own webpages.
This week, the Club is still hectic, with the popular Basic Cross Country course (more info here) and the SAGA Performance Coaching Week being held too. There's a press release covering both events.
Pete Siddall
- Tuesday, December 11, 2001 at 21:05:59 (CST)
Visitors, Yaku Nasu and Masahiko Kobayashi enjoyed flying at Waikerie for a couple of days. Saturday was quite stable with minimal convection. Sunday began foggy and proved to be a very nice soaring day with one of the members completing a 200km x-c after a 2pm launch. Cloud base rose to 5,500 feet by the end of the day, there was good streeting during the day with thermal strengths during the strongest part of the day averaging 5 to 6 kts.
Mark Morgan
- Tuesday, August 14, 2001 at 14:06:40 (CST)
20 June 2001
It is that time of year when we are out looking for seasonal summer staff for next summer. The reason we start looking so early is to give over seas people time to get themselves organised for a trip to OZ.
So if you may be interested in either instructing with us or flying as a tow pilot please contact me Mark wgm@riverland.net.au
A high percentage of instructing will be with Japanese nationals, for that reason we are looking for at least one instructor who can speak Japanese comfortably.
We operate Twin Astirs as Training and checking gliders and our tugs are Piper Pawnees – 235 & 250hp.
Mark Morgan
- Thursday, June 21, 2001 at 13:44:23 (CST)
16th June 2001
Member’s Working Bee day – A lot of cleaning up, laying cement for the new BBQ area, top dressing and planting lawn, fixing irrigation systems and installing additional ones. Plenty of work was achieved. Thanks to those who supported the working day and to those who supplied food for the meal.
Mark Morgan
- Thursday, June 21, 2001 at 13:43:41 (CST)
15th May 2001
Workshop staff could not bare to look at it any longer. The wave was beckoning so a Twin was pushed out and a launch taken at about 13.30. A high tow to 4,000ft releasing under the cloud line. Unfortunately the lift cycles were too short to maintain climb under the lenticular cloud in the 40 to 50 knot upper level wind and contact was not made. But an interesting 2.5 hours soaring was had by the pilots any way.
Mark Morgan
- Thursday, June 21, 2001 at 13:26:25 (CST)
Thursday 8th Feb saw most pilots take to the skies. Tohuru Ikeda completed 1,000k task at 100kph in his ASW22 QL landing at 8.33pm.
Craig Vinall flew 2 consecutive 300s averaging over 100kph for both the second being 114kph in the club's Hornet - MU
Rob Pollnitz flew a lazy 300 at 100kph in our Discus HP
Mr. Ito flew 300 Goal in Astir CS WUN
2 other flights of 750 and 500 were not completed due to the early turn off of the day if you were in the wrong area.
Mark Morgan
- Tuesday, February 13, 2001 at 10:29:17 (CST)