Newcastle Hang Gliding Club

Alan, Ward, Cammo, Gary, Nicola, Conrad, Brizo the super driver and I turned up at freeos. After a compulsary 1 hour dither, we got gone...
Pics show Camo and I doing something different and going around the mountain anti clockwise. Here is a picture looking towards Lagoona. More at http://pics.nhgc.asn.au/thumbnails.php?album=216

I landed Qorabolong, Cammo Carmels, Conrad Taralba, Garry home. Others more local.

This week I flew in the Blue Mountains in my new REV 13.5. Great conditions and views. I rode a sea breeze convergence line over some pretty mountains, the photos turned out great. http://pics.nhgc.asn.au/thumbnails.php?album=215

It was a leisurely trip around the valley taking photos. Thanks to Kathryn for driving, Dave for the flying company.

Last week I did some glider development work at Merewether. It was great condition for cross tailwind approaches onto the lower slope, and I needed to do a lot of them between adjustments. Then on Saturday I flew at Strezzi. It was light and I flew alone because the paragliders could not stay up. When the wind strength increased, there were a lot of pilots got up, perhaps 7 HG, 3 PG.

Monday and Tuesday followed a pattern.

Lovely how we celebrate the birthday of our dear Queen.

The SE was very strong and gusty. James and I went to Catho and made a nice flight to Blacksmiths. We did thermal flying, rode concergences and ran dunes at high speed. The eagles were nice to fly with. When we were done, we lpacked up at the blacksmiths SLC. Photos at http://pics.nhgc.asn.au/thumbnails.php?album=214

A nice day at Petes, three cars headed out from freeos, arriving to set up and tow from 12:00. Cammo launched first in the BIG REV, and showed us that you could maintain from tow height, Glen joined him. I released at 1000 ft and climbed out at 400fpm to an inversion at 2500ft. There was a little NW wind, Glenn and Cammo were headed back headwind to be sociable, we all teamed up and headed for the next sunny rock to the East. The wide valley headwind of the face was producing ample hot air and the next one was all lined up on the entrance to the martindale valley.

We flew and I have some convergence photos to share. Here is one of the photos of riding the convergenge.

more here
http://pics.nhgc.asn.au/thumbnails.php?album=208

A group of us met at Freeos for a trip to Broke. Mo, Glen, James, Vic and myself. We left a car at Carmels and one at East broke.

Saturday was a nice day on the coast. South going through SE with white caps. Wakka and I flew between Scratchley and Merewether, finishing the day with a run around meeting people and dogs at Dixon. James had 3 hours airtime, there were Airsports tandems, Rod P, Ward, Don B, Ebbs, Kiren, Rob L flew HG. Neil, Josh, Matt and a few others flew floppys. Two paraglider pilots found out why it is not pleasent to fly into rotor (from the east face at Merewether). Another Airsports student pilot soared at Metewether and sat his test on Sunday, welcome to Hang Gliding!

Every cloud has a silver lining
I have been sick, feeling drained and the silver lining is that I have had the time to catch up with little things like organising my photo albums. It is enthusing and I hope that summer will hurry along. Dawson has done well at getting Coppermine up and running again, well deserving of the title Awesome Dawson.

Read more for photos and stories of Wollombi, Mt Koskiusco, Manilla and our 260km flight along the Murray River to Swan Hill.

Ian and I have been out to dudley for a lovely late afternoon flight. Stinging it.

Ian and I have been out to dudley for a lovely late afternoon flight. Stinging it.