wrote:
Full water and wait for launch until you can stay up with full water.
The majority of the day will be strong conditions - you need the water
then more than you need an early launch. Wait until it is "cooking".
I have flown 23 flights of 1000 km + at Bitterwasser, Namibia (Africa).

I'm sure that is right for Bitterwasser, but if Logan, Utah (I'm
assuming Tim is talking about flying from his home area), had those
kinds of conditions, I don't think Tim would be asking the question! The
various responses to his question suggest the best answer is "it depends
on your weather and the speed of your glider". I haven't flown at Logan
enough to know it's weather, but here in the Columbia Basin of
Washington State, it will take an early start in weak conditions. The
strong part of the day just isn't long enough and strong enough to fly
1000K. No has done it yet, but some have made 800+K.

Tactically, one should take off with full ballast early enough to have a
chance of completing the flight, and drop whatever it takes to stay up.
--
Change "netto" to "net" to email me directly

Eric Greenwell
Washington State
USA