Walps!
Alps a la Wales!
Yesterday was ok, today it all deteriorated. Dennis was working with a one to one client, and today the wind arrived so no flying, or tuition either. They are having trouble with the strong winds down in St. Andre so yesterday they had a 62km task but today was another story, so no task, possibly they may be able to squeeze a late task in tomorrow if the wind abates.
It looks like we may be working with Andrew our new client tomorrow although the wind is still around it may diminish somewhat. It looks like the UK round here today! The Wales/Shropshire border or maybe the Lakes, but there’s that very familiar lots of rain and low level cloud dominating the landscape.
Cloud Interpretation
The weather change warning clouds that arrived a couple of days ago were true signs of what was to come. The weather has been with us now for a couple of days, winds have picked up, rainy etc. etc. no flying.
Not much else to report other than the second leg of the British Open, is beginning in St. Andre this week, hopefully the winds will calm down for some good tasks for them all. Unfortuantely we will not be attending this time… but will be following their progress. We have a couple of Australian friends staying, and the plan is to get out to Manilla come November..! Wow never been to Australia it will be a first for me… hope it works out!
Wind Whispers, Thermic Touches
- Stewart Preparing to Reverse Launch
The weather came good again today, although high alto-cumulus and lenticulars suggested a strong high wind, so no getting high. Still flyable though and Stewart was out early with Dennis whilst I had chalet stuff to do, then joined them later.
- My Mantra, and Reflective Sky
Had a couple of nice flights and enjoyed some quiet contemplative cruising. Almost empty air with just whispers of wind and light thermic discussions between us, I just ‘put my feet up’ and enjoyed…
Stewart was having fun trying some wingovers and generally enjoying his flying, working on reverse launches, starting to thermal and growing in confidence. He has only one day left with us but it has been a successful time and he’s very happy.
Not sure what the weather’s going to do tomorrow, it’s supposed to be good and flyable, but the sky suggests another incoming front, although it could just be skirting the edges, and not arrive at all.
Grey and Grey Matter
waiting for the rain... and squashing reserves!!
Well the pre-frontal weather yesterday was just that. Last night there was a lovely bright moon lighting up the valley. Early start this morning with Stewart to try to get some flights in before the imminent rain arrival.
We managed two flights, he’s now launching and landing himself, flying well and did his first Spiral Dives today a happy chappie! On the third flight attempt both me and Stewart were preparing to take a flight down just on the brink of the rain threshold, but had to abort as the rain became a steady fall, a drive down was necessary.
Anyway, back at the ranch paperwork and exams are in progress and a successful CPC rating has just been completed! Admittedly he has had a bit of a head start in already completing both his EP and partway through his CPC in previous years before other things took priority. Anyway, it’s done now so maybe some free flying in a couple of days, the weather is not looking good tomorrow but should improve come Wednesday.
The Great and the Good!
Another lovely day here. Neil left us today and we’re still working with our beginner who incidentally has a lovely touch, and has tuned into his glider really well. It is a real pleasure teaching Stewart, he doesn’t have an ego problem and consequently is progressing in leaps and bounds, such a pleasure to teach, and so responsive!!
Mathieu Vermeil and Omega 8
Up. Up & On His Way!
It was another unexpected pleasure to see a couple of our students of seasons past turn up! what a delight to see their progress… had a lovely compliment from one of our young guns describing my ‘cool’ launch in Chamonix yesterday! In tip toeing through someone’s lines, and stopping to say ‘hello!’ before actually taking off!! and all this during my launch, never even realised.
It was another beautiful but working day, I managed to squeeze in one flight on the Alpha before lunch and the last flight I took on the Mantra, both lovely flights but personally restrictive due to work commintments but lovely. It was nice to see Mathieu Vermiel on launch looking relaxed and happy with it all, flying the Omega 8 with the Kanibal Race, all completely new equipment since his original equipment got thieved in Italy. Jerome Perret was aboard his new Boom 7, it was a great day… high alto cumulus, so pre-frontal by the gaze of things.
Yesterday, we didn’t manage to fly out of Chamonix, but today was different… it was a really great xc potential day if you had the time and the incliniation. On my first flight the climb was immediate, this in Plaine Joux, but the climb outs were working well and plenty came over from Chamonix although at a relatively low altitude. It was a predominantly blue day but good non the less.
Stable, Inversion on Toast!
The sun arrived and stayed all day! This morning Neil, Alex and me went to Chamonix to try to get a fly out, whilst Dennis worked with our new beginner. It was looking promising, but decpetively so. A deep inversion, with exceptional stable conditions dictated the day. We waited at Plan Praz as the clouds evolved although not the classic looking formation, more ragged than constructed. We saw a number of pilots launch, scratch and land and needless to say even after our wait we continued the scenario.
It was blistering heat today, compared to the last couple of days a return of high season summer temperatures, causing us all to swelter. After our Chamonix flight we joined Dennis at Plaine Joux where I resumed working position and the other guys flew. It turned out a lovely day, with smooth evening air. Denis Cortella was there, haven’t seen him fly for a while, and as I was working the only flight I could do was a TTB after launching our client on his last flight of the day. A long full day, looking forward to a good nights sleep….
pics from the mobile…
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- Neil and another glider, coming in to the Savoy Landing Chamonix
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- The Savoy Landing field
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- Dennis Cortella
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- Denis Cortella landing at Plaine Joux
Better than Expected..
Emile our beginner left us yesterday after having successfully achieved his CPC, he’s en route to Holland and then to Brazil! We have a pilot with us at the moment so we all managed to fly. We had rain again yesterday but today was flyable. The plan was to go to Chamonix, but alas the wind was gusting 40k at Brevant, so it was not possible. We considered Annecy but a strong South Westerly hindered that choice to, so we remained with our reliable and faithful Plaine Joux, where amazingly it was flyable!
We all managed to fly, although Dennis left his flight deck at home so had to use mine, no problems we just flew alternately. Very stable to start but then throughout the day it improved. Nice flying had by all…. the schools and tandems were happily bevering away as usual.
click on pics for larger image.
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- Grey Uninspiring Start
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- Sky Improving
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- Dennis Launching
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- Thermals just starting to work
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- Tizzy, waiting to chase the HG off! (she never got the chance..)
For Sale
We have for sale two Kortel Kamasutra 2 harnesses with pods. 1 XS and 1 M. They are both the latest models purchased in Sprng 2011 and the condition is ‘As New’ Both for €750.00 each + postage.
Kortel Kamasutra 2 with pod
We also have for sale a Small Kortel Kanibal Race, again in ‘As New’ condition with the new modified flight deck/chest strap arrangement. Yours at a mere snip of a price of only €600+ postage
Kortel Kanibal Race
Please feel free to email us at info@flyers-lodge.com …
Autumn Is Upon Us
Autumn is definately here, with the treetops all turning, the temperature dipping, a regular dampness in the morning, and condensation on the windscreens. The snow has made a fleeting appearance , settling on Varan, and the surrounding mountains although then disappearing… just a minor taste of things to come. Our flying has now taken on the more serene character of gentle air and mild soaring. It is all still very enjoyable as what we don’t have in the spring and summer months in the shape of strong thermals and xc potential, we make up for in the sheer beauty of the changing landscape and the depth of colour, artists revel in. So here’s to welcoming in all the changes that mother natures offers….. We are still flying, but just scraping climb outs now.
