As you may or may not know, club members Bob & Tracey Hayes attempted to fly their XT912 to the tip of Cape York recently. The attempt was thwarted only 1 hours flying time from the tip, (65nm) due to low cloud and high winds that persisted for nearly 3 weeks. Luckily, they had a back-up plan, so were still able to complete the trip, although in not quite as much style as they would have liked!
Below is a little preview video of the trip.
Latest video from the Rex lookout. XC from the Rex to Port Douglas, via the bowl. Video taken on June 6th, 2010. Not such an easy day to get to Port, strong sink areas away from the slopes made it difficult to get a good glide. The normally reliable lift areas weren’t as strong as normal, so patience was the order of the day.
The weather station has been returned and has been re-installed. Thanks to all the hard work of the few that turned up on Sunday to help. Special thanks to Paul and Brett for all their running around and attention to detail. Also thanks to Jude, Daniel, Roger, John C, & Trace & Bob for helping out.
http://www.cairnshangglidingclub.org/weather
Extra bird-detering measures have been installed, and hopefully this will keep them away. The local gecko’s and spiders are loving the condo living the pole provides, though!
Photos soon.
CASA has announced new rules for non-towered airdrome operations. This applies to our trike members. The website can be found here:
http://casa.gov.au/scripts/nc.dll?WCMS:STANDARD::pc=PC_100081
Lots of useful information and well explained.
Since there has been no Hang-Gliding or Para-gliding lately, due to a distinct lack of wind, we took advantage of the situation and flew from Atherton to Cape Tribulation last Saturday. A spectacular flight with beautiful scenery and we even seen our first Dugongs in the wild!
Trike flight to Cape Tribulation March 2010 from Tracey on Vimeo.
Our Weather station is still being repaired in Finland and should be ready to make the return trip soon!
A big THANKYOU to all these members who have contributed to help pay for the repairs of the weather station; Barney, Daniel and Dana, Wayne B, Paul, Ron, Uwe, Sean, Brett, Jude, Ted, Tracey and Bob.
We are still about $400 short so please dig deep and donate if you haven’t already, so we can this thing back up on the pole and the website before the season starts.
Well, a gallant attempt was made to stage a Gillies comp on Saturday the 28th November. The day looked reasonable and Bob, Joe, Ron, Brod, Warren and Kieren turned up at Jack’s farm for the drive in. Eva kindly volunteered to drive and close the gates. (thanks Eva!)
As usual, the cycles roared through during set up, then lulled off when we were actually ready to go. Ron lined up first. The cycles made us wait a long time before arriving, so patience on launch was needed. Brod was next, then Bob. Once in the valley, the air was a bit strange. Lots of bubbles but very difficult to catch. Ron run for the point, as did Bob. Brod turned back over launch and had a better time of it. He then went out into the valley and managed to stay up. Ron and Bob meanwhile, kept proving Einstien was right about gravity…
Bob made the turf farm. Ron had an ‘interesting’ downwinder into a cane paddock (see pic) Keiren launched in Warren’s Litesport and had a good run, despite the harness being too small and his legs cramping most of the time. Kieren and Brod both landed at the turf farm as well. Joe and Warren felt the return didn’t match the investment and packed up.
So, we tried but it didn’t quite work out. We are going to have another go next weekend 5th and 6th December 2009. (weather permitting).
waiting on launch
setting up
Ron's landing paddock
Nice nees!
Interesting clouds pictures can be found here;
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2009/10/29/Weird-Rare-Clouds-and-the-Physics-Behind-Them.aspx
We have recieved notice of a facebook group for Nth Queensland Hang-glider pilots. Lincoln is in Townsville and is keen to start training in Cairns ASAP. In the meantime, he has set up a page for anyone flying hang-gliders in Nth Qld (and has a facebook account) to get together and talk about our favourite subject!
If you have a facebook account search for the following:
NthQld Hang Gliding