|
|
|
After
briefing The weather is really not so good and max start altitude today is only 1000m. Not nice! First launch is expected at 11.45 a.m. with the 18m. first off, followed by the Open and last off the 15m. The first two classes have a speed task, whilst the 15m. have a speed assigned area task (215km min – 404 km. max). Open and 18m. class also have a fall-back speed assigned area task. Their main task at this stage is 366.0 km. (Open) and 308.7 km. (18m.) The cold front passed through Lusse during the night and warm and
humid air from a low sitting over Scotland/Scandinavia will be coming into
the contest area. They expect cirrus
& altocu clouds this afternoon and they are not
sure if the sun will burn this off.
There is a chance of thunderstorms in the SE but probably outside of
the contest area. They expect the cu
to go from 800 m. up to possible 1600/1800 m. during the late afternoon. The not so good news is that tomorrow may
not be a flying day as there will be worse conditions as a result of the low
over There was a short team managers’ meeting straight after briefing which was to discuss the time taken for launching with the number of tug aircraft. At this stage they have 12 tugs – it was felt that there should be more tug aircraft and/or bring the release areas closer. The organization will see what they can do. Monday 11th
August The start of a new week and I trust everyone enjoyed their weekend. We had a good day here yesterday, albeit with no contest flying but they did manage a fair bit of flying for the spectators for the Air Show. There were models, the Junkers Ju.52, parachutists, an Extra 300 doing wonderful aerobatics, lots of old-timer gliders, and so forth. As there was no task yesterday the German Team pilots and volunteers from other teams were asked to grid their gliders and these were launched. They did fly-bys, dumping water, and generally keeping the crowds occupied with their activities. During the afternoon there was some drizzly rain on and off, but there was quite a crowd of visitors and they were kept occupied with the various activities and aircraft to see, and flights in the Ju.52. It was also good to see good gliding friends – Karl & Annelise Pumer, Wilfried & Inge Muller, and
others. The S.African
team also managed to sell some of our merchandise (shirts, caps &
stickers) – so overall it was a good day.
Gunter Kruger (thanks to Benno’s help, I
think!) managed to get himself a flight in the Stearman
back to Templehof a/f, In the evening we went for an Italian supper with all the team plus Art, the Mullers, the Sennes and Karows. The “A” team (the scrutineers) from Mafikeng 2001 (Art & the Mullers) had a great time reminiscing about the Worlds that we had held there. So to a new day. It started
blue and sunshine, but who knows how it will develop. The TV forecast shows more rain further to
the west of |
