Home

3 Day Thermal & XC Course

Wed, 01/04/2009 - 12:06 — AIR SPORTS
15/04/2009
17/04/2009
Australia/Sydney

AIR SPORTS is holding its' semi-annual Thermal & XC course at the River Gums Caravan Park in Manilla on April 15, 16 and 17. That's Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Optional free-flying on the weekend.
The cost is $200. Please contact Tony Barton asap to book a spot in the course. Thanks,

AIR SPORTS
Ph: 0412 607 815

Sun, 19/04/2009 - 20:58 — Dave H

My First ever inland experience

My First ever inland experience was fantastic just as Jason has mentioned we flew 3 out of 3 days. It was really exciting climbing 2000 feet + over launch genuinely circling in a thermals with wedge tail eagles leading the way. Tony had given us valuable insight as to what to look for and what to expect and there for under stand what was happening ,which helped us to experiment and climb in thermals with confidence. Thanks Tony for a great 3 day course and a solid start to inland flying. PS thanks Megs tony's wife for recovery driving.

Cheers Dave H

Sat, 18/04/2009 - 16:36 — Jason Rogers

Just got back from the

Just got back from the course.

First day I was so nervous... I thought I was going to pass out...

Tony took everyone in hand, settled the nerves with clear advice, fixed up everyone's gear that wasn't really right for inland, talked us through the lanch and threw us one by one into the void.

My first ever inland flight, I was expecting something a bit different to the coast and I got it.

Really had to get right to the edge, the glider was bucking around a bit (or I was loosing control of it...). Tony got me settled and ready, pull in, strong run and two steps later I was airborne. Tony had told me to keep going straight till the lift ran out then start 180's till I was above the hill and could 360.

Vario started screaming and I was well above launch before it started to die down. So 360, 360, round and round I went. I didn't want to get more than 1 to 1 glide from the face so I left the thermal about 1000 ft above and went out infront again.

No lift and nearly down to launch level again so I turned right toward a bowl that Tony had said might be working. It was!

Whoosh! the glider groaned and shook as I entered the thermal then the vario pinned at 600 up. I started turning and switched to the "high range" on the vario. Now it was showing 1000-1200 up. I wasn't really coring properly just circling in the lift. I'm sure it was stronger elsewhere. The hill just fell away below me. Just a minute or two later I was 3200 above launch.

That was just the first 15 minutes of the course. There was lots more. My first fly over flatland with no hill and I stayed up for over an hour! First proper coring of a thermal. First landing in a paddock that I had to assess from the air.

Everyone on the course was just grinning and babbling for hours. We all agreed that we learnt more in these three days than we had since we'd certified.

Highly highly recommended.

Cheers Jason =:)