Things are really starting to pick up weather wise, and to prove it we've got the XCountry course coming up just over a week away.

Well the Taupo central plateau competition is over and it was a goodie. We had just 11 competitors so it was quite small, but the weather didn't turn out too bad, with us flying all days except one. Also I've learned how to spell plateau properly.  A big thanks to the Taupo gliding club, especially Trev and Tom for putting on a great and well organised event, Roland for doing an excellent job with the weather (there were no beatings or lashings this time). From our club thanks to Harold for towing, Les, Phil and Mavis for travelling down to help out.

Final results are at http://www.soaringspot.com/cpnz2010/results/open/total/day5.html

XCountry Course - Mon 22nd Nov to Friday 26th Nov

The Matamata Soaring Centre runs the task week and XCountry course. For our club members not participating we have towing all week, with instructors rostered on the normal club flying days. If you're GQP you are welcome to come fly anytime, if you're not QGP, you'll need an instructor around on the field. From our club we have a number of instructors instructing on this course.

At the same time as the XCountry course is "task week" for more experienced pilots. During this week there will be tasks set every day.

Regional Competition - Sat 27th Nov to Sat 4th Dec

Following the XCountry course we have the Norther Regional Competition. There is still time to enter, and we have at this stage of the club ships we only have GXP entered with GPC, GPK, GNI and GSN available. If no one enters these they will be available during the week, again non QGP will need to fly normal club days or find an instructor.

For both events we need helpers, especially to help launch the grid, so if you have some free time please come on out. Perhaps get in touch with Les, Bill or Bob if you can help.

One request from Tim especially during the contest, if you're flying club gliders please ensure everything is put back in the hanger afterwards, and leave room at the front for GXP.

Hooray for better weather, and hope everyone makes their way out at some stage soon.

After a no-fly practice day, and a practice day on day one, we finally had a proper contest day. It proved to be tougher than imagined, with no one getting around the task.

From our club Alan and Tim are competing in a field of 11.

Rob our contest scorer is writing up news and all the results are available on soaring spot:

http://www.soaringspot.com/cpnz2010/

With a bit of luck, tomorrow will be improved

Anyone want to go for a fly with Richie McCaw? There's an auction underway on trademe.

We had a great weekend, Whenuapai turned up in droves, the sun was out, and it was hot. There weren't as many fluffy clouds as we would have liked, but it was good fun anyway. If anyone has any exciting pics from the weekend, please send them in.

The Taupo Central Plateau Competition is starting this weekend. Alan, Brett, Tim, Les, Harold & Mavis, and Fin are heading down so Piako is well represented. Looking at the forecast the beginning of the week might turn out OK. We'll do an update later in the week.

We're flying this long weekend, Sat, Sun and Mon, and the weather forecast is looking really good. There isn't any training on, so both twins and all 3 singles will be available all weekend.

If you are planning on coming out, make a booking if you can, just so we can decide whether to have 2 instructors on or not for each day.

If you have any friends/family who might like to go for a fly, this will probably be a good weekend to do it! Don't forget they fly at club rates.

Whenuapai Gliding Club is joining us for the weekend, so we can aim to get some good flying with them in.

Our third parachute has arrived, meaning we can fly all three singles without chute issues now.

Whatever you're doing, have a great weekend, and we hope to see you out there.

Actually thermals kind of never got going, but Edouard, Phil and Dave managed to make a good go of it. Good one guys! And at least the sun is out finally. A course training also went well. Tomorrow looks like an even better day, maybe see you out there.

Full set of photos available on our flickr page

GVW

BZA

GSN

GPC

Big thanks to all those who came to the start of season briefing and lunch. The lunch of soup & quiche was great, thanks Jan, Joan and anyone else who helped.

If you didn't make this briefing there is a repeat 11am Wednesday morning, and if you can't make that as well, you'll need to get in touch with Bob before you next want to fly.

Feedback from those at the briefing was very good, with newer members appreciating the chance to meet everyone.

Key points from the briefing:

• Due to a less-than-ideal weather, declining membership, and increasing costs, we really need to get flying and have a great summer.
• If you're a club member, bring a friend along for a flight! They are welcome to fly at club rates.
• There have been airspace changes, primarily extending Hamilton's airspace down south, and the Coromandel CFZ (Common Frequency Zone) is now called "Peninsular". Changes and new maps apply from 18th Nov.
• Info about being duty pilot, and how important your role is for the club.
• Julian gave an interesting talk on Motor Gliding.
• Bob talked about dehydration, how water might not be enough, and we had a jolly good discussion about peeing in the glider too.

The usual riff-raff

Ridge? What ridge?

Jan, Jamie and Ann. Guess who's going for seconds.

We're now on facebook, so if you're on there, feel free to befriend us! We'll be putting news and other stuff on there of interest. Check us out at:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Piako-Gliding-Club/161443680535538

Also Tim has started a private blog, which will feature gliding news and info from around NZ. Check it out and subscribe at:

http://gliding.net.nz/

Also don't forget, start of season briefing this Saturday 10am, followed by food. With a bit of luck there will be some ridge flying afterwards, so a good opportunity to get some ridge syllabus ticked off if needed.

Bob looks way too happy considering how far off the ground he is not.

Piako Gliding Club Inc.

 Hi All Glider Pilots,

 Reminder notice to make sure you come along to the:

2010 PRESEASON BRIEFING

 Yes there will be a soaring season sometime soon!?

 10.00am Saturday 25 September 2010,

with repeat of briefing at 11.00 Wednesday 29 September 2010

Gliding Clubhouse, Matamata Airfield

 To be followed by Jan’s free lunch at 12.00 (Saturday only, no free lunch on Wednesday) and club flying in the afternoon.

 (Instructors meeting to be held 1.30pm to 2.30pm)

 Stop the rain,

Bob Gray

CFI