I hear that there are still a few places left for entries for the 2004
South African National Gliding Championships [aka Dust Devil 04]
.............
Just swing by
http://www.sssa.org.za for more details and your entry
forms .. if you have GBPs or USDs its like for nothing!
This snippet from the Magalies Gliding Club newsletter says it all ...
STOP PRESS FROM THE CGC:
Five gliders from the Cape Gliding Club on Saturday 20th November
completed a total of over 5000km in what is the culmination of years
of research and training. The gliders launched from Worcester
airfield shortly after 10 a.m. into a light northerly breeze and
completed routes taking in Renosterhoek (northwest of Citrusdal), Du
Toit's Kloof Tunnel and the outskirts of George. All gliders
completed the return trip to Worcester safely shortly before sunset.
The longest flight, a new record for the club, was completed by Alan
O'Regan (1171km) who is flying an LS8 standard class glider - the
smallest and simplest of the five. Asked if this form of transport
would eventually replace other modes of travel, Alan replied "The
airlines are not yet quaking in their boots – but it is a
breathtakingly beautiful way to travel. And it is not hard to learn
because we have a superb instructor and support team at Worcester – I
doubt there is a better training establishment anywhere in the world."
Advocate Sven Olivier, with multiple Protea Colours behind him, also
completed his first flight over 1000km (1007km) flying a ASW27 15m
class glider. "This is something the international gliding community
will struggle to believe", said Sven. Asked if he thought the
experience could be repeated, he replied "Without a doubt. We have
witnessed a step-change in our ability to read and negotiate
microclimate around mountain ranges and we are able to fly much faster
– sometimes at the gliders top speed of 280kph".
The other flights were completed by pilots Martin Grünert, DG500
(1001km), Reinhold Lawrenz, DG500 (997km) and Peter Farrel, Ventus
(824km). Three of the five pilots extended their personal bests by
between 160km and 300km.
AND FROM THE FREE STATE:
At Bloemfontein GC on Wed. 17th November, Theo von den Nieuwenhof says
he waited 15 years to do this Triangle. He took off at 09:40 and
started at 10:04 – his first leg was to Viljoenskroon 214.7km, then
Petrusburg 258.1km, on to Delarayville 270.6km and then back to Tempe
270.7km – Total 1014.1km. He landed at 6:08pm having achieved a speed
of 126kph (8hr 04min). He is the first one of Bloem club to do it in
35 years. He is still trying to establish if any South African has
done it in the 15 m class.
He predicts that it is going to be a good Nationals!!
(Clint) wrote in message . com...
The gliding venues in the Southern Hemisphere are moving into top gear
as the weather improves. Long flights are being made from venues like
Pokweni and Bitterwasser in Namibia, Gariep in South Africa, Tocumwal
and Corowa in Australia, Brazil and Argentina. Europeans who either
hire gliders locally or ship their gliders out for the flying season
make the bulk of these flights. The local pilots are also stretching
their legs not to be shown up by the visitors from the north.
It is a form of tourism that is becoming more professionally run. The
flying operators will arrange everything from glider shipping, licence
conversions, accommodation and transport. They even go so far as to
arrange local tours to game reserves etc for family members whilst the
pilots enjoy the flying. Some operators hire youths for the flying
season to help on the airfield and crew on the often-long retrieves.
Most of the operators have web pages where their services and contact
details can be found. So instead of watching the snow fall - make like
the birds and head south.
The weather forecast for Gariep today indicates thermals of 6m/s and
thermal tops off the chart (i.e. above 18 000 ft- probably close to 21
000 ft).
Clinton Birch
LAK 12