Weather looking not too shabby for Easter Gliding

Posted 16 years, 5 months ago    1 comment

Easter Weekend is upon us, and it's looking like the cold front will leave us just in time. We'll be flying Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday. There might even be a bit of southwesterly tomorrow meaning the ridge might be going.

Don't forget about our club dinner Saturday night, from 6pm (or after flying), $20 for Ham, Chicken and Eggs of the chocolate variety. Let Jan know if you're intending to come along, or just turn up on the night.

There aren't many public bookings so far,  and instructors are rostered  reon every day so it might be a good opportunity to get some training in. Also with the club AGM coming up in May there are a number of club tasks and trophies up for grabs, so keep those in mind!

The roster for the next while is below, please check it and if you can't make a day please organise a swap with someone.

We look forward to seeing everyone out there and eating too many chocolate bunnies.

   Date Details Tow Pilot Duty Pilot Instructor1 Instructor2 Book
Fri 10th Apr 09 Easter Camp Starts
Flying from 11am
Ian Hector John Krukerink Bill Mace   Book
Sat 11th Apr 09 Easter Camp
Flying from 11am
Tony Petch Les Riesterer Steven Care Tim Bromhead Book
Sun 12th Apr 09 Easter Camp
Flying from 11am
Andrew McGregor Morris Beale Tony Davies Dominic Stevens Book
Mon 13th Apr 09 Easter Camp Last Day
Flying from 11am
Richard Small Sefton Crandall Julian Mason   Book
Wed 15th Apr 09 Flying from Midday Harold Oates Mavis Oates Bill Mace   Book
Sat 18th Apr 09 A CERT COURSE
Flying from 11am
Gordon Malcolm Students Bill Mace Bob Gray Book
   Date Details Tow Pilot Duty Pilot Instructor1 Instructor2 Book
Sun 19th Apr 09 Flying from 11am
INSTRUCTORS MEETING
Tony Davies Mathew Noonan Roger Brown Gareth Pryce Book
Wed 22nd Apr 09 Flying from Midday Harold Oates Mavis Oates James Turney   Book
Sat 25th Apr 09 ANZAC DAY
Flying from 11am
Dave Harding Les Riesterer Julian Mason Steven Care Book
Sun 26th Apr 09 Flying from 11am Jeffery Hunter Stuart Rogerson Tony Davies Dominic Stevens Book
Wed 29th Apr 09 Flying from Midday Harold Oates Mavis Oates Ralph Gore   Book
Sat 2nd May 09 A CERT COURSE
Flying from 11am
Ian Hector Students Bill Mace Bob Gray Book
Sun 3rd May 09 Flying from 11am Ross Nicholson Miguel Medero Steven Care Tim Bromhead Book
   Date Details Tow Pilot Duty Pilot Instructor1 Instructor2 Book
Wed 6th May 09 Flying from Midday Harold Oates Mavis Oates Bill Mace   Book
Sat 9th May 09 A CERT COURSE
Flying from 11am
Tony Petch Students Bill Mace Bob Gray Book
Sun 10th May 09 Flying from 11am Andrew McGregor David Reed Bob Gray Dominic Stevens Book
Wed 13th May 09 Flying from Midday Harold Oates Mavis Oates James Turney   Book
Sat 16th May 09 A CERT COURSE
Flying from 11am
Richard Small Students Steven Care Tim Bromhead Book
Sun 17th May 09 Flying from 11am
INSTRUCTORS MEETING
Gordon Malcolm Lionel Brackley Roger Brown Tony Davies Book
Wed 20th May 09 Flying from Midday Harold Oates Mavis Oates Bill Mace   Book
   Date Details Tow Pilot Duty Pilot Instructor1 Instructor2 Book
Sat 23rd May 09 A CERT COURSE
Flying from 11am
Tony Davies Students Steven Care Tim Bromhead Book
Sun 24th May 09 Flying from 11am Dave Harding Josh Money Julian Mason Gareth Pryce Book
Wed 27th May 09 Flying from Midday Harold Oates Mavis Oates Bill Mace   Book
Sat 30th May 09 A CERT COURSE
Flying from 11am
Jeffery Hunter Students Steven Care Tim Bromhead Book
Sun 31st May 09 Flying from 11am Ian Hector Cameron Wine Gareth Pryce Steven Care Book
   Date Details Tow Pilot Duty Pilot Instructor1 Instructor2 Book

Vintage Kiwi Rally over Easter in Taranaki

Posted 16 years, 5 months ago    0 comments

Vintage Kiwi are having a Rally in Taranaki over Easter 2009, Fri 10th Apr to Mon 13th April. Full details and info in the PDF below. Everyone and anyone is welcome.

VK Rally 2009 Norfolk Road.pdf [1MB]


Easter Weekend Flying Bonanza & Dinner!

Posted 16 years, 5 months ago    0 comments

Mmmm gliding eggs, the best kind
Mmmm gliding eggs, the best kind
Easter is coming up, and that means 4 days of gliding bliss. This year we're hosting our Easter gliding camp at Matamata airfield, and inviting other clubs to join us.

We'll be flying from Friday 10th, to Monday 13th April. Public trial flights are welcome, and also training with instructors.

There will be a dinner on Saturday 11th, 6pm or slightly later if the flying is good. Cost will be $20, which will include Jan's famous hot ham, chicken, and Easter Eggs. Let Bill or Jan know at wajvmace@ihug.co.nz if you intend to come along. Everyone and anyone is welcome.

Don't forget to book your accomodation if you want a room over the weekend. Tent space also available.

See you there!


Roster to May

Posted 16 years, 5 months ago    0 comments

Hi everyone, here is the roster until the end of April, please mark in your calendars if you're rostered on. If you can't make it please organise a replacement. Thanks heaps, and see you out there! The westerlies are no doubt on their way...

   Date Details Tow Pilot Duty Pilot Instructor1 Instructor2 Book
Sun 15th Mar 09 Paddock Landing Training 9.30am
Flying from 11am
Andrew McGregor Pete Ryan Gareth Pryce Brob Gray Book
Wed 18th Mar 09 Flying from Midday Harold Oates Mavis Oates James Turney   Book
Sat 21st Mar 09 A CERT COURSE Richard Small Students Steven Care Dominic Stevens Book
Sun 22nd Mar 09 Flying from 11am
INSTRUTOR MEETING
Gordon Malcolm Phillip Cox Roger Brown Tim Bromhead Book
Wed 25th Mar 09 Flying from Midday Harold Oates Mavis Oates James Turney   Book
   Date Details Tow Pilot Duty Pilot Instructor1 Instructor2 Book
Sat 28th Mar 09 Flying from 11am Tony Davies Robin Britton Roger Brown Bob Gray Book
Sun 29th Mar 09 Flying from 11am Dave Harding Robin McRae   Dominic Stevens Book
Wed 1st Apr 09 Flying from Midday Harold Oates Mavis Oates Bill Mace   Book
Sat 4th Apr 09 Flying from 11am Jeffery Hunter Manda Roger Brown Steven Care Book
Sun 5th Apr 09 Flying from 11am Ross Nicholson Neil Raymond Julian Mason Bob Gray Book
Wed 8th Apr 09 Flying from Midday Harold Oates Mavis Oates Bill Mace   Book
Fri 10th Apr 09   Ian Hector John Krukerink Bill Mace   Book
   Date Details Tow Pilot Duty Pilot Instructor1 Instructor2 Book
Sat 11th Apr 09 Flying from 11am Tony Petch Les Riesterer Steven Care Tim Bromhead Book
Sun 12th Apr 09 Flying from 11am Andrew McGregor Morris Beale Tony Davies Dominic Stevens Book
Mon 13th Apr 09   Richard Small Sefton Crandall Julian Mason   Book
Wed 15th Apr 09 Flying from Midday Harold Oates Mavis Oates Bill Mace   Book
Sat 18th Apr 09 A CERT COURSE
Flying from 11am
Gordon Malcolm Students Bill Mace Bob Gray Book
Sun 19th Apr 09 Flying from 11am
INSTRUCTORS MEETING
Tony Davies Mathew Noonan Roger Brown Gareth Pryce Book
Wed 22nd Apr 09 Flying from Midday Harold Oates Mavis Oates James Turney   Book
   Date Details Tow Pilot Duty Pilot Instructor1 Instructor2 Book
Sat 25th Apr 09 ANZAC DAY
Flying from 11am
Dave Harding Les Riesterer Julian Mason Steven Care Book
Sun 26th Apr 09 Flying from 11am Jeffery Hunter Stuart Rogerson Tony Davies Dominic Stevens Book
Wed 29th Apr 09 Flying from Midday Harold Oates Mavis Oates Ralph Gore   Book

Congrats Aimee & Josh, now solo!

Posted 16 years, 5 months ago    1 comment

A big well done and pat on the back for Aimee and Josh, who have gone solo! Congrats guys. Josh actually had his first solo about a month ago, but did a couple more today. Aimee had her first solo today after a few practice circuits.

We've got the next beginners training course coming up 18th April, so don't forget to remind anyone you know who might be interested.


32 knot ridge day

Posted 16 years, 5 months ago    0 comments

Sometimes the moons align. Even better sometimes the isobars align, and we get good strong Westerlies.

Today was one of those days, here's this evenings forecast (lunchtimes was about the same, but is no longer available).

This morning Sefton did some repairs on gliders, and helped get things ready to fly, so thanks heaps Sefton! Also thanks to Richard for driving out specially to give us a tow.

A lot of water was going backwards
A lot of water was going backwards
See the smoke bottom left
See the smoke bottom left

Being such a nice ridge day, I decided to attempt a 300km ridge task. From Gordon, to Thames and back, twice.

It all started out nicely but waiting for rain showers to pass slowed things down a lot. By 4pm I was only half way so abandoned the task. The showers, thermal streets and wave from the other side of the valley really made things interesting.

Looking up towards Coromandel, north of Thames
Looking up towards Coromandel, north of Thames

Just ducked past this monster on the way back from Thames
Just ducked past this monster on the way back from Thames

Jamie, Keith, Les, Carl, Brett and a trial flight or two also came out for a fly, sounds like everyone had a good time. Bad luck to Brett for missing the wave and landing at Tauranga!

Les noted there was up to 35knots wind at a few thousand feet. Good fun!

A lovely rainbow from Jamie in XP
A lovely rainbow from Jamie in XP


Last Day & Prize Giving

Posted 16 years, 6 months ago    2 comments

The last day. And the weather just wasn't going to play ball.

Ominous weather
Ominous weather

The decision was made to cancel today for both competitions, and tomorrow for the soaring centre competition due to the impending storm. Instead we ate lunch.

Bob doing what Bob does best.
Bob doing what Bob does best.

And what a feast. Jan ordered a rather large ham, which was cooked to perfection and demolished to the bone.

Mauirce doing what Mauirce does best.
Mauirce doing what Mauirce does best.

The hoards line up.
The hoards line up.

Three ladies doing what ladies do best.
Three ladies doing what ladies do best.

Fin the task setter and fans.
Fin the task setter and fans.

After a large lunch including alcohol laden dessert, and lots of gossip (for the ladies), we turned our chairs for the prize giving.

The chairs have been turned.
The chairs have been turned.

Finally, it was time for some prizes. 

Tony Van Dyke
Tony Van Dyke

Patrick Driessen, 3rd in the fast class
Patrick Driessen, 3rd in the fast class

Nigel McPhee, Winner Fast class
Nigel McPhee, Winner Fast class

Lindsey Stephens, 2nd Fast Class
Lindsey Stephens, 2nd Fast Class

Jan Mace, winner of a trophy for the person that made the competition most enjoyable and successful.
Jan Mace, winner of a trophy for the person that made the competition most enjoyable and successful.

Tim Bromhead, winner Sports Class, and the PW5 trophy.
Tim Bromhead, winner Sports Class, and the PW5 trophy.

Marucie Honey, winner of the fastest flight.
Marucie Honey, winner of the fastest flight.

Robin Britton, winner of the most Meritorious flight awards.
Robin Britton, winner of the most Meritorious flight awards.

Ruth doing what Ruth does best.
Ruth doing what Ruth does best.


MSC Comp Day 5, Sports Day 9

Posted 16 years, 6 months ago    1 comment

High cloud isn't ideal.

That's what many of the 8 pilots who landed out were thinking, as they sat around chewing grass.

It was a tough day, there were well marked thermals but they just weren't as strong as some needed thanks to the thin layer of high cloud.

The webcam at 4:21 today. Not many gliders back yet... Note that darn high cloud up high.
The webcam at 4:21 today. Not many gliders back yet... Note that darn high cloud up high.

There was drama abound as normally top pilots landed in paddocks. For Patrick Driessen in the fast class, the day proved less than satisfactory with only 370 points. The past four days he has won the day for 1000 points. Although Nigel hasn't won a day, he has won 800-980 points each day. It really shows what a tight and fierce competition it's been between the top pilots. Consistency paid off and he's come off with the most points in total so far. Totals for fast class can be found here. Todays winner was Lindsey Stephens, well done.

The same happened in the Sports class. Maurice Honey won 6 of the 9 days, but had one or two bad days allowing Tim to cling to the lead without winning a single day. Totals for sports class here. Well done to Maurice for winning the day again.

The club class has a clear winner so far, with Bryan O'Brien winning every day. Totals for club class here

Don't forget you can browse through those results to see:

  • Day scores
  • Total scores on a particular day
  • Tasks for the day, including a nice little map.

Tomorrow looks like a 70% chance of not flying due to the weather closing in on us, so that might be the end of the competitions. We'll update everyone tomorrow.



Shim