Friday 16 March 2018

Jaca 2018 Week 1 Day 4

Today's forecast was the best so far, though rain showers were expected to be increasingly frequent in the afternoon. The best area for flying was to be to the south rather than into the higher mountains to the north.

It was going to be another day for an early start so the gliders were extracted from the hangar, inspected and pushed down the ramp to runway 27.
Pushing the K21 down to the runway

Merv briefs Keith on the Duo
Keith and Merv went first in the Duo followed by Kevin and Bob in the K21. Cloud base was over 6000' with good looking cumulus to the west and south.
South side of Cuculo 
I think Keith is having a good time in the Duo



Duo heading south

Lake near Riglos from the Duo

Approaching Yesa from the south

A lesser spotted Merv in its natural habitat
There was significantly more cloud as the day progressed but it remained soarable so both gliders returned for a second sortie. This time Allan and Merv in the Duo and Charlie and Bob in the K21.

Both gliders were able to get away to the east of Cuculo with the cloud base now over 7,500'. By now the lower mountains to the north were clear enough for Charlie and Bob to explore stage 1 and 2 and then take a peek at the lower end of stage 3. The Duo did another lap of the morning circuit out to the lake at Yesa.

Merv shows Allan Oriel from a distance 

And now a bit closer...

Kevin and Bob in the K21 taken from E6

Honestly the gliders were not as close as it looks
By late afternoon the shower activity increased with a wall of showers approaching from the west. The shadow from the cloud started to cut off the heating so it was time to head back. The Duo was last to land and everything was back in the hangar long before the rain arrived. In total about 10 hours flown in 4 flights, our best day so far.

Looking east to Oriel at the end of the day
The group were spared the instructors attempts at cooking as Toya had invited everyone for dinner. An excellent chicken chillindron this year and not the usual lamb which was enjoyed by everyone.

We have been promised that there will be no rain tomorrow...

Bob.

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