Saturday 26th December 09
Boxing day – I finish packing the car and a couple of hours drive to Waikerie; arriving around 10:30 it is very quiet. Within a few hours the gang had arrived including many of the performance week participants. If you were in orbit you could look down and we would appear to be ants running everywhere, rigging glider, finding tie downs and setting up accommodation. The pace has increased because we have lots of preparation still to do for the Nationals. A passenger arrives, flown by David and Mike Ridge from Brisbane would like a orientation flight with Craig. I am happy to oblige on the tug end of the rope. John cooks tea and all seems to return to normal – bar conversation and meeting old friends once again.
Sunday 27th December 09
Early start around 7am with both the tug and ASK21 undergoing preparations for first launch. First launch delayed due to flat front tyre on the 21 – having ripped the valve out of the tube as it tends to do if the glider is landed and pushed onto the front wheel when flat. Seven (7) check flights with our Japanese members and they can’t wait to get in the air, pulling all their gliders out later in the day. John Ridge has been doing a lot of work on the tie down area re-fixing cables and new fittings to long lost watering points.
Monday 28th December 09
Performance week has commenced with a large contingent of (30 to 40) pilots all wanting to improve their flying, dust out the cobwebs or gain some valuable practice for the Nationals. After a briefing and morning lecture a short warm up task has been set – Wki Allawoona Renmark Woolpunda Wki (193k). Teams were allocated and lots of lead follow and pair flying occurred, this was the pattern for the rest of the week.
Tuesday 29th December 09
Enjoyed the morning lecture you can gain lots of knowledge from the information that is being shared around. Today’s task will be a 300 – WKI Swanreach Morkalla Woolpunda WKI (302k) It was a blue day but plenty of other glider to keep us company. Best lift was over the border with heights up to 7500ft and most pilots were pleased with their flying. Evening debrief included what was the best part of the flight, what did you learn and what mistakes will you not make again.
Wednesday 30th December 09
At last the day we have been waiting for. Weather predictions can be inaccurate or sometimes just plain wrong. Today the long range weather forecaster got it right. Light winds high temperatures and a possibility of rain showers in the north of the state, that means we could get CU around WKI and we did. A 500k task was set and we were in the air around 12:30. – WKI Meringur Wanbi Burra WKI (518). The first two legs were very good working a height band of between 4 and 8000ft; sometimes higher with a few climbs above 9000ft. Now on track for Burra via The Gums the clouds were dying off. A big gap across the donga on the eastern side of the river above Blanchetown caused some concern. Pushed into the un-landable territory for a while but did not finding any consistent lift and getting down to decision height, turning at Mount Mary and headed East again picking up a good climb over Cadell. I then had my sights set on Renmark but had a great run using only two climbs to reach Renmark. I had plenty of time left in the day so pushed on back into Victoria again for the second time today. Turned Lindsay River and headed home via Renmark aerodrome looking for another climb back to 7500ft. Finding some good climbs to the East of Lake Bonney I had more than enough height for a final glide home. Modified task WKI Meringur Wanbi Mt Mary Lindsay River (565k) in just over 5 hours.
Thursday 31st December 09
Task was WKI Notts Well Wunkar Woolpunda WKI (126.7) tough day, plenty of lift available to around 5 or 6000ft very rough air today and huge amounts of sink everywhere, I think today is one of those pay back days when more air is going down than up. The idea was to keep us close so that we could be home in time for a huge New Years Eve.
Friday & Saturday were Nationals comp prep days for many of the Waikerie members. Congratulations to those performance week and overseas visiting pilots that did fly, as the weather was cool and windy around 27 knots on the Saturday.
Sunday 3rd of January 10
Bernard left for Balaclava in his ASH saying after flying for 10 straight days he needed to take the glider home for a rest and a bit of a clean up. The majority of the Nationals pilots arrived and were preparing their gliders for an afternoon shake down. I was working on the 08 runway (Calthrop weeding) and missed all this fanatic activity, so was surprised when I came up over the hill to see all this activity. On request from John Hudson I then managed to get into the Callair VH-APC and did 12 tows for the comp pilots to test set up of systems in their gliders. Many were full of water and 75kts might be the standard launch speed for the next two weeks.
A word on the unofficial practice day Monday 4th to follow.

It may seem things have been quiet, but it’s quiet only on this news page. Everyone at Waikerie has been busy flying and preparing for more flying.

Coaching Week has finished. Wednesday was a big day with great gliding weather – I was told “everyone did a 300 or 500 km flight”. Then there was the band on New Year’s Eve, apparently pretty good. Some of the stories from that week should make it to this blog.

The Coaching Week participants have been leaving while the competitors for the Multiclass are arriving. I’m impressed by the 5 visiting tugs lined up out the front, not to mention some of the shiny fibreglass…

Today was “unofficial practice day” – about 25 comp pilots took a launch, some flying a 200 km task. Tomorrow is “official practice day”. The comp starts the day after.

Coaching Week at Waikerie is over for another year, with the final day made of of a “Canopy Care” session conducted by Ian Linke and a 300 Km task Waikerie – Peebinga – Lindsay River – Waikerie,which coincided with the prctice day for the SA State Competition. Good conditions were experienced for this final day, with only a few not making it around the task.

It was tremendous to see the increased confidence many of the Coaching Week participants displayed as the week progressed – there were also some inspirational moments – one such event saw Colin (Mini-Nimbus) and Eric Stauss (Hornet), returning to Waikerie from the east late and in in dying conditions initially indicating two outlandings were likely – only to both make it back.

A great week week allowed alll participants – Coaches and the Coached – to enjoy it.

John Hudson.

Wednesday 31 December 2008

Performance week has been a huge success. We have had very good weather; not hot 10,000ft days, but good 5,000 ft cu days with not more than 30 C max with close spaced reliable lift. There have been no days cancelled and all but one or two aircraft have been around each day’s task.

There is certainly a very positive atmosphere; people are learning a lot and having a good time as well. There are more than 50 people hear and over 25 gliders. The event is getting more popular each year.

Today, I had a great coaching flight with Ingo Renner. We flew in the club ASK21. In fact I think it was not only its first extended cross country flight but we also launched the glider by winch; its first winch flight in Australia. By the way, I think this glider will be excellent for cross country training. On the right day, it will be an easy glider for novice cross country pilots to fly and will be the equal of any other two seater for training purposes.

The day was blue with thermals going to 5-6,000 ft. Not only did we get around without any trouble at all, but it seemed so effortless mainly due to Ingo’s amazing thermal centering ability. It was simply a master class for me and will greatly help me. I look forward to trying to pass on some of what he taught me.

It’s New Year’s eve and the party is in full swing. We’ve already had to buy in more red wine! It will be a great evening with a few sore heads in the morning…

The weather forecast looks to be only improving for next week and so I’m looking forward to the State Comps. Hope to see you here.

Happy New Year.

Craig Vinall

Performance coaching week has wound up with another terrific dinner put on by the Hudsons – what a way to celebrate your birthday Jean. Lots of speeches of appreciation for all those that helped make the week such a great success. Thanks to David Conway for his sterling work and overall involvement in the running of the event. Bernard for his precision program and patience in flying students around in his Ash; usually with a single seat glider in lead and follow. Great to have had Ingo flying every day with various lucky pilots. I am sure they not only enjoyed the experience but gained knowledge that could not be gained in any other way.

Ingo spoke about a better understanding of thermals and the mental picture of the day’s conditions that he formulates in his mind. It’s all about setting goals and having positive attitudes.We look forward to seeing Ingo back again next year.

On one days flying we looked at what we had achieved.

• Over 25 Cross Country Flights flying in excess of 11,000 kilometres.
• Many 5-hour flights were achieved and at least 75% of the pilots achieved their goals for the week.
• 1^st Soaring flight for a new solo pilot of over an hour
• 1^st 50k flight
• 2 x 200k flights
• 5 x 300k flights
• 9 x 500k flights
• 4 x 750k flights
• 1 x 860k flight with average speed of 137kph
• 2 Diamond distance
• 1 Diamond Height

Jet

Not a lot has been said about the events of performance week (Bernard prefers coaching the week) so here are a few points of interest.

Saturday the 5th a trough arrived over the ranges to the West this offered the Waikerie pilots an opportunity not to be missed, out to Blanchetown to contact the frontal activity was easy and Morgy, Peter and Craig pushed right in under the black band of cloud stretching north. They then ran at a blistering pace up to Peterborough and then turned due east to head back to Waikerie over the scrub. I managed to contact the lift activity a little North East of Blanchtown and had a good run up to Hallet. Visibility back to Waikerie was limited to 20 kilometres so I ran down to Notts Well and across to Lake Bonney.

Sunday 6th we commenced briefings and was an arrival day for most of the visitors and guests with the usual routine of orientation & check flights, sort out accommodation, rig gliders and meet and greet. I was back in the tug for the day, we gave it away early due to the 25 + knots gusting in the afternoon.

Monday 7th with the cooler winds slightly decreasing a suitable task was set for the day. 2 hour AAT – Notts Well, Alawoona, Woolpunda – We were getting climbs up around 4000 to 4500 if we were lucky. I made a bit of a botch of this day, not going very far into the circles and with a very slow speed.

Tuesday 8th Again the weather is improving and a longer 2.5 hour AAT was set Copeville, Taldra and return to WKI. Slightly better climbs to just over 5000. Down to a thousand feet 12k south but Craig stuck around and managed to drag or push me around approx 220k.

Wednesday 9th After further lectures and briefing we had a leisurely time to prepare gliders, as it was again a 2.5 hour day (expected later start) Alawoona, Notts Well, Morgan. Made a few poor decisions on the second leg, waisted some time with a zigzag to try and take a climb with the ASK 21 but they left before I arrived and I missed the thermal. Also along this leg worked lift way below the average. I was not the only one (listening the radio) finding it a tricky day for locating the centres. Turned 10k short of Morgan due to running out of time. Disappointing because with a little more pushing on and better thermal selection and leaving immediately the lift dropped off I know I could have turned Morgan.

Thursday 10th the day we all had been waiting for – Free tasks were in order so that those wanting 750k flights could have a go. The incredible stats for this day will be printed in a following article. I set a 536k task Loxton, Lake Cullulleraine, Lindsay River, Morgan Burra WKI. Had the best days flying for many years. With 42 degrees on the airfield and a thanks goes out to the flight crews who did a great job getting us airborne the heat remained in the area till after dark – Thermal activity was still going at 20:00.

Friday 11th during briefing the expected trough came through Waikerie with strong cooler gusty southerly winds. No flying today but some good lectures and information sharing being held throughout the day. Off now to the wind up dinner and a glass of wine; cheers.
Jet

The SAGA Coaching Week has been running here since Sunday. Bernard Eckey has been organising this: we have about 15 gliders and crews visiting to take part, as well as several Waikerie members. Adelaide Soaring Club has lent a tug, which is very helpful in the middle of the day when everybody wants to launch at the same time. Their DG1000 is here, as are two ASK21 from Balaklava and several other gliders from ASC, Balaklava and AUGC.

This year’s guest coach is Ingo Renner. Several people have had a chance to fly with Ingo, and we’ve all been able to ask him questions. It’s great to talk to someone with so much experience and knowledge, and such a friendly, open manner. Harry Medlicott is also visiting. Bernard and others have also given lectures on a variety of subjects, and there are training and check flights going on for those who need them. There’s a lot of two-seater and lead-and-follow coaching happening.

The soaring conditions weren’t fantastic early in the week: winds were southerly, then light SE: with temperatures in the 30s, thermal heights were around 4000 feet, increasing as the days warmed up to 7000 feet yesterday. People still went out and flew tasks though, which they might not have done if it weren’t Coaching Week.

Today (10 January) the forecast is for 43 degrees, and there are some beautiful high cumulus over Renmark. It will be interesting to see what kind of flights are going on!

Pete S

Around 35 pilots – with a wide range of experience – gathered at Waikerie for “Coaching Week” on Saturday 5th January 2008.

Among the pilots were a number of Coaches, led by Bernard Eckey, with special guest Coach, Ingo Renner. Harry and Wendy Medlicott also arrived with the Ventus. Coaching Week is aimed at developing the cross-country skills of less experienced pilots.

On Sunday morning 6th of January, a number of Briefings, including safety and weather were held before flying operations commenced. Sunday’s weather was not kind enough to allow a task to be set – but that didn’t stop a number of pilots flying.

Our thanks are extended to the Adelaide Soaring Club for providing an additional tug. Unfortunately the Balaklava Club winch broke down enroute to Waikerie and was towed back to Balaklava.

Now Wednesday, the weather has slowly improved. tasks have been set for the “teams” to attempt. There has only been 3 outlandings, although the tasks are being flown at relatively low altitudes.

Thursdays weather is looking promising for a big day.

John Hudson