Tuesday 25 March 2014

Jaca - Week 3 - Day 1

All expedition members arrived safely on Sunday ready for the first day on Monday. After briefing, registration and preparing the gliders we were ready to fly with a forecast of a short window ending in the approach of a cold front with low cloud and rain by early afternoon. With a 8/8ths cloud cover and light wind NW wind we were not expecting much. Short flights of a site check for those new to the venue were planned. Richard Taylor/John Simmonds were first to launch, Ayala Truelove/ Bob Johnson followed immediately. We were pleasantly surprised to find lift over the entrance to the valleys leading up to the mountain tops. Good climbs of 3-4 knots soon took us to cloud base at 6500ft amsl about 4200ft above airfield level. A quick return after some 40mins to collect the next pilot and a quick turn round enabled Mike Rubin/John Simmonds plus Jon Bareford/Bob Johnson to get airborne, but only just as the cloud base was now barely 4500'amsl and it started to rain. Alas Mike Truelove was not able to fly but is now top of the list. Appetites are now whetted and everyone is keen to fly again. The forecast for the week is very different from the first 2 weeks with low pressure and fronts to negotiate. Tuesday looks a none starter so other events are planned. John Simmonds

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