Canungra Classic Competition Oct-Nov

On Saturday the 25th of October I started an 8 day International hang gliding competition based in Canungra. We flew 3 launch sites including Mt Tamborine, Beechmont and Flying Fox.

My team was Marty, Tim, Joel and Beau as driver. It was a great comp with many highs and some lows too. Joel won the floater class and I came 36th of 55 pilots. Jon Durand Jnr won the comp after missing day one due to illness. Full results are at: http://www.triptera.com.au/canungra/classic2008/results_page.htm

We had two days cancelled and flew 6 tasks.

Unfortunately I had a couple of bad landings which resulted in 2 brocken downtubes costing over $320. Making for a very expensive week.

I had some good flights and clocked up another 10 hours of airtime.

Flying Mt Tamborine with Gavin on Day 1

With Gav again



Vid with Gav over Tambo

On Flying Fox launch

Beau, Tim and Marty on Flying Fox launch

Big Trev and Tim on Tambo launch

Flying near Mt Maroon

Maroon Dam with fire burning in the distance.

This was the path most pilots took on this day (to the fire). Unfortunately I had to land 4km short of Killarney, the first turnpoint. A great days flying though.

Beechmont to Toowoomba Sat 18th October 2008

Last Saturday was looking like a good day for flying. I was glad of this because I had made plans for Sunday. The wind was ESE on Beechmont launch, a bit gusty and around 12 to 15 knts. There were clouds forming and base looked reasonably high. I got there early so as to set up and get off the hill before the paragliders got there for the last day of their comp. A few other hangies turned up to launch early too. Warren, Big Trev, Nick, Garbor and Big Rig were among them. Marty had already launched by 9.15 am with some free flying paragliders. No one seemed to be getting high and I was a bit unenthusiastic.

I launched after Raef and Courtney. Big Trev found a good climb at the far North end of the ridge. I got to the end of the ridge at only 1900ft and saw Warren, Big Trev and Marty going over the back at about 4,500ft. I found something and started climbing. It got better, but I had to move upwind to find the better lift. I cored it well at about 2,800ft and climbed to 5,000ft. The view is great there at that height. You can see Hinze dam, Surfers Paradise and some cool valleys and mountains.

I headed towards Hinchcliffs, where I could see Warren and company getting high over the flat top. Nick followed and Garbor was there too. I had a fairly good run to near Mohomat (8km south of Beaudesert). Garbs was helping Marty along and we all seemed to meet up just before the Boonah foothills where Marty's arms got tired (again?! are they painted on Marty?) and he went in to land back at Beaudesert. He could smell the Jim Beam in the bottle shop I think. Good effort though mate. Another good XC in the XT.

Then, at the Boonah foothills the other guys had managed to stay high and keep going while Reg and myself struggled low in erratic lift that seemed to move after every second circle. We persisted and finally got up and crossed the Boonah hills to meet up with the others who were all high and just leaving the Boonah T area when we got there.

Again, here I struggled in the erratic lift and tracked North and then back East looking for a decent thermal. After dropping to 1500ft, I finally found something good and got back to base. I heard on the radio that the others were struggling a bit too. But by now they had got a fair distance from me.

Mt Walker looking NE

The trouble with the day was that the lift was erratic and broken. The clouds seem to build and disappear very quickly. I would pick a nice solid looking cloud to fly to, but by the time I got to it it would've almost gone. Plus after I passed Mt Walker I was flying over ground I had never seen before. Also, no real plan had been made (mine was just to fly as far as I could). We had no driver too. But I guess all this just made the day more interesting and more challenging.

WNW looking towards Toowoomba

I heard on the radio that Big Trev and the others had followed a big power line to Toowoomba and got up near a big fire on the way. In this pic above you can see the clouds look better to the right. I saw the power line and the fire, but there was one cloud over the fire and not much else and it was a long way off. So I chose a different path, just to the right of those two big yellow circle fields. There was a big forest to cross, but the clouds looked much better.

So, off I headed towards Toowoomba. I managed to cross the forest easily and found a good climb near a cloud that had almost dissipated. Then things got difficult. I started losing lift and getting low near Haliden. I spotted a go-cart track and thought of landing there. Then I saw a good field near the main highway to Toowoomba and decided it would be a good option. All of sudden, I hit a good one and climbed back to 5,000ft. I was drifting to Toowomba and was now within glide of it. Right on the edge of range I heard gun shots and looked down and saw a rifle range. I hoped they wouldn't have pot shots at me!

So, anyway the clouds had all gone west of the range except for one great looking one. Of all the places it could've been, it happened to be right over the airport. Bummer. Can't go there. So I spotted a small hill to the North of town that I thought it might have some lift near it. It did, but it was small patchy lift and wind was now quite strong from the NE. You can see this hill in the pic below.
And so endeth the flight. 145km for the day and 4.5 hours in the air. Yay!
So, with no driver the 7.5 hour trip home was not so enjoyable. Rangi was kind enough to drag his sick arse out the house and come an get Warren, Big Trev, Reg, Nick and myself who all landed miles apart take us back to Canungra. Thanks heaps mate.
Garbs wound down near Laidley, in the same field he landed in the day before!

Some local pilots on Beechmont Launch

Keith, Beau, Pete and Marty on Beechmont launch.

Fever broken.

Well I managed to break my bombout fever today. The wind was very North on Mt Tamborine today. I didn't expect a good day at all. But we headed up and found that there were times when the wind was coming up the face of launch and not too cross wind. But while I was setting up the wind came straight down the road and nearly blew a few gliders over. We kept setting up hoping we could get off the hill. A task was set of Rathdowney with an infinite line.

I managed to launch into a blustery Northerly wind. But I found some lift half way to the bombout. Then climbed to about 3,200ft. I followed Wrangi and Big trev over to Misery ridge where we found a reasonable climb to around 4,000ft. We then went down towards Witheren peak and found some light lift near there with a wedgetail eagle. Fortunately he wasn't aggressive and didn't attack any of us. Although I later picked up old Trev who told us that he got savaged by a Wedgie near Witherin doing much damage to his glider. He was not happy.

Crossing the Kerry valley I lost Big Trev and Wrangi and found myself low on the West side of the Jinbroken range. I picked a landing field and headed for it. Suddenly I hit a good thermal which took me back to 4,000ft. I headed for Rathdowney but ended up low again just 8km short. Again I picked a landing field, but I found another good thermal and was able to get back up to 3,700ft. I thought of heading south towards Kyogle, but looking at the sky and with the strong Northerly. I thought a landing in the hills near the range would not be pleasant and decided to land at Rathdowney.

I took these pics and landed in a gusty North Easterly wind in a field just south of Rathdowney along with Ronald, Cam, Jonny, Tony, Wrangi and Neil. Big Trev dropped just 3kms short, but may have got goal anyway with the infinite line. A big thanks to Mark G, who decided not to launch in dodgy conditions and came to take Neil, Old Trev and myself back to Canungra.

Thermalling just SE of Rathdowney.

Near Rath again.

Looking West from near Rath.

Mt Lindsay from near Rath.

Neil packing up at Rath goal paddock. Tony and Wrangi in background to right.


Video of flying near Rathdowney.

An unexpected great day overall. A good way to break my bombout run. Can now happily do another weeks work before having another go flyin off a hill.

Bomb out fever.

Well, I've had a bit of bad run lately with my flying. Of my last four flights, I've had a pack up on the hill (1/9/08). Then a bomb out (7/9/08), . Then a bomb out last Friday (12/9/08). Then another bomb out last Saturday (13/9/08).

Here a couple of videos of people landing at the bomb out near Mt Tamborine on the 13th of Sep.

Ant landing.

Mark and Cameron landing.

Big Pete landing.

Marty Landing.

Trip to Melbourne

I recently went to Melbourne to visit family and spend time with my dad on his birthday (24th of August). He recently had a mild stroke and is now recovering well. He had a good birthday with some old friends and liked the present from Cam and myself of a putter, ball return device and balls.

Veiw leaving Coolangatta airport.

Dad and James putting.

I managed to fit in a some mini golf with dad (68), Cam and James. Also a game of golf with mum (70). Mum and I also visited Werribee Zoo. Which I can recommend to anyone. Young or old.

Meercats at Werribee Zoo.

Mum at Lion enclosure, Werribee Zoo.

Lions at Werribee Zoo.

I caught up again, on my last day in Melbourne, with dad and his girl, Beth at Cam's place where dad played a good game of table tennis. And I got beaten by Cams wife Sally. A bit embarrassing. Well done Sal.

It was good to catch up with everyone, but it does make me appreciate living on the Gold Coast.

Sunday Series - Tambo-Water Tower-Bromelton-Model 17 Aug

A great day flying from Mt Tamborine for me today. It was the first time that I've completed a Sunday series task with turnpoints. So I was very happy.

I arrived to launch late and most of the good regular pilots were launching as I started to set up at 11.50am. So I thought I wasn't going to have anyone to follow. At 12.15 I got in my harness and headed over to launch. Rod, Derek and myself thought for a minute that we may not even get off launch. The wind was coming over the back, so we prayed for a thermal to launch into. Only 5 mins later it came, and the 3 of us got away. Thank god for that.

Rod went to the right of launch and didn't seem to be climbing very fast, so I went left and prayed for something better. I found it, and got a good 4-5 hundred up to about 5,400ft. And with a big grin on my face I headed out on task. Rod and Derek followed. I had a good glide and found some scrappy lift near the Model airfield. Eventually after searching around I god back up to 5,000ft and headed towards Beaudesert. I found some lift with a green paraglider near Beaudesert and Rod and Derek came over under us low.

Cranking it up over Bromelton.

Great cloud formations looking back to the Kerry Valley.

I got back up to 4,700 and headed to the Water tower to claim my first turnpoint, but the lift was no good there and I dropped to 2,700ft. I then headed back to where I was and found a good climb back to 5,200ft and headed to Bromelton. I found some good lift on the way and managed to stay high. We all want to stay high don't we. I got to Bromelton (the second turnpoint) at 3,400ft. I found a nice but weak thermal right there and as I got higher it got better. At 5,000ft I got my camera out and took some pics and a movie. Rod and Derek were below me then and you can see them in the pic.

Rod and Derek below me over Bromelton.

At 5,450ft I headed back to the Model Airfield (the Goal). I hoped to get a good climb where I had found one on the way out to the north of Beaudesert, but only found light bubbles. Not big enough to turn in. I was sinking out bad and at 1, 200ft about 7km short of goal I thought I was going to have to land. I forged on and found a light thermal. After a lot of shifting around, I was climbing slowly at 200ft per minute which finally turned into 300ft per minute, but then I saw Rod come screaming over the top of me when I got to 3,200ft. I headed off to chase him, but there was no way I could catch him.

Some chicken sheds near Bromelton.

I landed at goal (model airfield) about 4 mins after Rod. Unfortunately I miss timed my flare and dropped the nose to make my landing not so good, but only softly touched the nose on the ground. No damage done. Because I launched after Rod I may be close to his time. I will have to wait till he posts the results to find out.

Just over 5,000ft over turnpoint 2 (Bromelton)

A video whilst thermalling over Bromelton.

It was an unexpected awesome day. With the S-SW wind I thought I may not get off launch. But with a great climb just after launching it all looked great. I managed to get a lift back to my car which was still back on Tambo launch with Rod, Don and Briano. Thanks heaps Don and Rod. So a great day flying with no dramas getting back to my car made it an even better day. I wish all days flying were like this.

Hope to see you on launch soon.

2nd of August Flying Tambo

Scotty at Long Rd.

Had a good day flying Tambo. Got to 4,100ft and flew out to Misery, but no one was really going anywhere so I decided to fly back to launch and top land at Long Rd. I landed and then talked Scott I, in to land after me. Flew for 1 hour and 40mins.

Thought I'd add this pick for anyone landing at the Long Rd top landing field. Please click on it and view the larger version to see where the star pickets are. There is no wire on the fence at the moment, but watch out for these pickets if you land there.

Beechmont to Moogera Dam - July 12

Wedgie near Beechmont launch (can you see the hang glider as well?)

There was a nice SE 15knt breeze blowing at Beechmont launch when Regan, Big Trev, Nick, Flocky and myself arrived at launch. There was no hesitation from any of us to set up. It looked great. We launched and all went up fairly quickly to cloud base. Pete, Marty and Ant had Jon Jnr to help them go cross country. So there were a few people in the air when we were greeted by a juvinile Wedgetail Eagle. He (or she, I couldn't quite tell) was very curious and flew with about 3 of us for a few minutes each, coming very close. I had heaps of height, so pulled out my camera for some pics. As you can see he was quite close. This one of the perks of hang gliding, being able to soar like an eagle, with one.

Looking toward NNE and Hinze Dam from Beechmont

Looking South over Numinbah Valley and Mt Warning (Spot the hang glider)

So, whilst taking my pics, I lost a fair bit of height and missed my opportunity to go West over the back on XC. There some nice cloud lines out in front over the valley, so I ventured out and was rewarded with a nice 500ft per min up. I called Ant over and we climbed to base at around 4,000ft. It is winter isn't it? Jonny came over and a few of us headed west. On the way to Hinchcliff I headed to a nice looking cloud just north of hinchcliff's over the valley. At first I thought it would be just a light one, but then after venturing a little further West I couldn't believe what I was in. 700ft p/m up on the averager turning into 1,000 up with a little adjustment. One of the fasted climbs to base I'd ever had.

Regan came in under me and soon I was at 4,800ft. I pasted Jonny waiting for Marty to climb back to base at Hinchcliff launch. He was complaining about the cold and with good reason. It was about 9 degrees at base. We had cloud streets heading West. So halfway across the Kerry Valley I stopped for another good climb to base.

Regan climbing underneath in the Kerry Valley

Looking East from the Kerry to O'riellys valley and Hinchcliff flat top

Thermalling over Mt French

Jonny had set a task of Beaudesert and on to the Model Airfield for Marty and Ant. But the day was great and I wanted to go further. So Regan and I agreed on Boonah, even though we had no driver. So Regan climbed above me while I was taking some pics and headed off. I climbed some more and gave chase. We got another climb over Mt Mohomet. Again Regan was above me and headed off. I was quite a bit lower and stayed to get more height. As I got to base I saw Regan getting low over the Rathdowney Rd. He found a climb and I headed off. Regan was just leaving that one when I got there.

As I climbed I watched Regan hit nothing and in the middle of the Boonah ranges crossing he started to turn, so I followed again. But he only did a couple of turns and headed off. I had already committed to the crossing and was worried if I'd get accross. I stopped where Regan had because there was a peak below and cloud above. It was scrappy light lift. I saw Regan get nothing and land East of Boonah. I was at 2,500ft and only maintaining. Landing options were available but didn't look ideal. I kept working the lift and gradually climbed. Relieved to be high again I headed to Boonah.

Not sure what to do now, I heard Warren on the radio and we decided to make Lake Moogera our goal. Nick was on his way and Trev caught up with me at Boonah. I found good lift on the North end of Mt French and got back to 5,000ft where I decided to take a few more pics of the awesome scenery. Trev headed toward Aratula and got low, but got back up again.

Over Mt French

Looking toward Moogera

So four of us landed at Lake Moogera after an absolutely awesome winters day. Just over 2 hours of flying and I covered about 70km. I couldn't believe how good a day it was for this time of year. SE Qld rocks.
Claire was there to pick us all up and meet Regan in Boonah pub for a few beers and then take us all back to Canungra. Thanks Warren and Claire.

Nick

Big Trev setting up to land

Big Trev and Warren

Warren coming in to land

Panoramics

Just thought I'd upload a couple panoramic pics which I like.

Just West of Beechmont Qld

NW from Beechmont

View from the Q1
Doesn't suburbia look like crap compared to country Qld. Imagine what this looked like 50 years ago.

Beechmont Launch (Rosins Lookout)

Triple take launching Hinchcliff, SE Qld.

Winter flying Mt Tamborine

The cool South East Queensland winter often sees us with Westerly winds, meaning Mt Tamborine launch is used quite often. On Saturday the 14th of June only 3 of us turned up to fly Tambo. Warren, Dan and myself. The breeze was light and Dan had to make a repair to his glider, so we waited for a while before launching. We saw Flocky get towed up to 2,700ft before getting off in a thermal over Mt Misery. He then flew over to launch and got nothing and struggled to get back to the Tow paddock. Marty got off tow into something a flew around for a while.



We decided to launch at around 1pm. Dan was off first, then Warren and myself. Warren got up a bit, Dan got low and was heading for the bomb out. I was following him and halfway to the bombout I saw Dan landing. I though I would be landing with him soon, but I hit a light thermal and turned at 900ft. It was brocken and kept moving. But I was determined not to bomb out. I worked hard and eventually got back to the ridge, but only at ridge height. With Warren above me we finally got up to 3,000ft. I flew for nearly an hour and top landed.

On Saturday the 21st of June, I found myself heading up to Mt Tamborine again with Joel. We were first to the to launch at about 10.15am. But soon many others turned up including Jon Jnr fresh back from his US trip. The wind was a gusty SW at 12-18knts. None of us were too enthusiastic. But eventually Joel and I decided to go. Joel was first off and I was next and of course all the rest followed then. It was a bit rough, but once you got a bit of height it was ok. We struggled to get up over 2,500ft, but Enda seemed to be getting over 3,000ft off to the North point. I headed over, but I hit lots of sink and came back much lower than I would've liked.




I got back up and after a while of searching for good lift I saw Jon Jnr launch. He was only just above the tree tops and he flew the whole way to the North point at this height. Then right at the point he got into a thermal and was climbing well. I decided to go over there and try again. This time I was much more successfull and climbed to 4,300ft with Jon & Nick I think. More gliders came over and we all headed out towards misery. We all got low (2,000ft) before finding some light lift. Eventually we got back up and I decided to head back to launch to topland.



I did few wing overs over launch while Brian kindly drove my car to the Long Rd field. I landed with not quite enough speed and softly nosed in. A big cowpat helped soften the impact of gliders nose. A bit embarrasing. Flocky came over to topland also. We went back to Canungra to have a bite and pick up Joel who had got a lift from the Bottom landing field. Another 2 hours of flying in clear blue skys. It's great being able to fly all year round, even if it is a bit chilly up there.

See video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vQ6kmg3IY5U