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Later – after 3 p.m.

The Open Class was launched on the southern side of the runway first with the first launch at about 12.40. Some of the Open class are self-launching, so not all 36 gliders required a launch. Then the tugs moved to the northern side where all the 18m and 15m class gliders were gridded. Can you believe that at this stage there are definitely less than a dozen tug aircraft (mainly Wilges), so it was well after 2.30 p.m. before all the gliders were launched. Not an ideal launch rate, even for approx. 130 gliders. Not sure if more tugs are coming!

Because QM has a sustainer, he has to run the motor after release, so by the time he had done this he was down to 100m. so he has had a relight. He is now airborne again and on track. LG being the first class off, will no doubt be back before too long. I think Attie is preferring to fly more locally and not do the task as he needs to do something on the glider when he lands.

This evening (8 pm) we will be enjoying a party hosted by the British, Netherlands & Italian teams, which promises Italian wine, Dutch beer, and English cheeses & pork pies as some of the fare.

Thursday 31^st July

This morning the sun is shining brightly again and we are coming right with the last few problems that have arisen. Laurens still needs some assistance with his Colibri/Flarm but the support person arrived today, and Attie has a slight water-leak which they will attend to after today’s flight. Computers are working, connectivity of instruments to loggers, etc. are also coming right. The organization is also getting sorted out too.

Today there are two weighing stations for the pilots to use en route to the grid. One is still parked at the scrutineering as there are still a handful of gliders that have not been checked yet. There are also a few pilots that have not done their registration. We will also be handing in starting times as from today!

Tasks have been set – 343 km. racing task for the Open pilots, whilst the other 2 classes have an AAT in the similar task area as the Open Class. The distance 270km/368 km with a 3 hr. time. This was reduced when it was pointed out that either the time needed to be reduced or the distance increased! So now it is 2 ½ hr. time which is still probably too long for the distance! The Areas all have just a 10 km. radius – would have probably made more sense to have made it a racing task too.

The weather today is once again as a result of a window between another Low over the UK and a high pressure over parts of Scandinavia and E.Europe giving more stable conditions. There could be some clouds to the SW of the Elbe River, whilst it should be clear to the NE of the river. Temperatures could reach the early 30’sC with 2-3 m/s lift expected in the mid afternoon. There is an inversion at about 2800 m. Sadly they think it won’t be as good tomorrow with the UK front moving into the contest area.

Gliders have to be gridded by midday and 1^st take off expected from 12.30 p.m.

The SA team are all getting into the ‘ swing of things’ and we are getting on well. All but Pieter are staying at a hotel approx. 7km. from the airfield – it is good to get away from the airfield and the hotel dates back to 1749 – old wooden beams in the main building, and then other buildings in the grounds provide our accommodation. It is nestled on a hillside amongst the trees, and it is all so quiet. Suzy & Laurens’ room is the closest to where the donkeys are kept, but even the donkeys seem to keep quiet until a respectable hour in the mornings!

So all things considered – I had best be off to the runway!

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