Jaca Week3 Day2

Day 2 was as always completely different again. Started with a blue sky with light winds from the south, SSW/05 on the ground to SSE/08 at 9000'. Launching started at about 1345hrs with scattered cloud and clear vis all the way up to the top on the mountains. Early flights experienced easy lift 2000' above the site in the lower hills and climbs to 7000'+ where you could run straight in to the top of the mountains. The southerly winds then enabled a combination of ridge and thermal flying with climbs to 10000'. Nick Parkhouse went first with Bob Johnson followed by John Bareford with John Simmonds, both had about 2hrs running the tops of the Pyrenees. Second to fly with Bob was John Brooke. Wolfgang Fischer then launched with John Simmonds. By now it was around 1600hrs and the thermals lower down were beginning to get fewer and harder to find. However by a combination of skill and good luck all made it to the top again. Wolfgang and John struggled to find the height to run straight into the top and had to go for the snow line lower down where a massive thermal got then up to the top of the peaks to run along the tops until 1900hrs. John and Bob ran along the top to the east and came back the pretty way along the foothills to the south at around 100kts. At the end all were tired but elated by the stunning flying the incredible scenery. Alas Nick has had an urgent duty recall but has sworn to return.

Jaca week 3, Day 1

A lovely blue sky with light winds greeted us at the start of the first day. It looked like a great day was in store. The new operators are both friendly and relaxed. Before briefing we noticed cameramen and a rather attractive lady presenter. They stayed with us through briefing to the launch point and a chase plane continued the filming of the Nimbus club gliders. A comprehensive coverage including an interview with our Mike Evans, (in Spanish!) and pictures of the Lasham group and Gliders also  appeared on Aragon TV. Fame at Last! 

Launching started at about midday with thermals out in the main valley and in the lower mountains up to 7000ft. It all too easy! However cloud continued to build, particularly to the north limiting the flights to the valleys and the lower mountains. However flying was possible all day and only one premature return occurred, but what do you expect if you pull off at 1200ft? High launches were not necessary though and is was possible to fly to the west east and south in excellent thermals. Everyone expressed great satisfaction with the days flying which ended just before 7pm. The next day is looking equally bright and sunny with light winds

Jaca week 2 - Day 6

This morning we awoke to find it was snowing and that the cloudbase was very low in the valley so we didn't really expect it to be flyable.

The uninspiring view north after briefing.

So at briefing we were a little surprised when Luiz said that it would clear up after lunch and that we would be able to fly. Wave was possible with weak thermals to around 6,000'.

On cue the sun broke through the low cloud and lenticulars appeared with a strong westerly wind at ground level. 

Both gliders took long tows to the west of the airfield, in quickly evolving conditions which made choosing where to look for lift difficult.

Dave has an all too brief view of the wave from above.

Dave and Bob were briefly in the wave before they losing contact and resorting to soaring the rotor thermals at the end of the Hecho valley. 6,700' was as high as they could get as snow showers swept south from the high mountains. 

Merv flew with both Richard and Stuart and was the last to land. The rest of the team were very happy to put the glider away and retire to the bar as it is now substantially colder than it was at the beginning of the week. 

We had another super meal at Toya's with the highlight being the raffle for the 7kg leg of ham. It was won by one of the Finnish group and I'm still not sure how I would have got it home had I won.

Things we learnt this week:-

1. Wave is possible without any wind (at ground level)

2. Morag can provide an excellent meal for 2 Euros per person. 

3. Fluid cannot flow through kinked tubes

Bob.

Jaca week 2 - Day 5

Friday was forecast to be a game of two halves with the better conditions expected after the cold front had passed through. Wave bars were already evident by briefing, due to the strong north west wind, but it was not expected to be a classic wave day as the wind changed direction with altitude.

Both gliders were launched, just after briefing, to try and contact the wave with mixed success. Much of their flights were spent at low level working rotor thermals just to the south of the airfield. Dave and Merv made the transition getting to over 6,000' whilst Richard and Bob landed back in time for lunch.

The cold front turned out to be a very weak feature that only amounted to some high level cloud that passed over quite quickly. As promised, the conditions improved mid afternoon with good looking cumulus out to the west and a blue wave slot overhead the airfield which offered no clues about where to look.

Thanks to Julian, all 3 course members launched around 3pm. A combination of patience, skill and experience eventually got Bob A. and Merv into the wave with a max height of 8,600'. The other two gliders shared some rotor thermals to the west of the airfield before admitting defeat.

Iain and Julian put E6 back in the hanger whilst Stuart and Bob took another launch, this time finding good climbs under the cumulus that were now closer to the airfield. A pleasant change after a week of cumulus free flying.
Bob.

Dave fixing the flat tyre on the dolly of No. 4,

Cumulus!

Jaca week 2 - Day 4

The forecast for today was similar to yesterday's but the blue thermals would start earlier, go higher and there was more chance of cumulus in the east. 

So it was another leisurely morning waiting for the convection to get going, but it was very pleasant in the warm sunshine. 

With no soaring birds, cumulus or other clues we played safe and held back launching until about 2pm. Even then, long tows were required to get to the better conditions over stage 3. 

Merv and Iain went first followed by the 2 Bobs, with both gliders enjoying the stronger climbs to over 9,000'. Sadly the excellent conditions were short lived as high level cloud gradually drifted in from the west. 

Stuart and Bob took a high tow, hoping that the higher mountains would still be working but it was only just possible to maintain height by working a small section of ridge. Stuart coped well with the challenge and even managed to gain ground before we were forced to retreat back to stage 1. 

With all the other gliders now back in the hanger (Dave and Merv decided not to fly.) Stuart and Bob extended their flight in some weak wave just north of the airfield, climbing back to 6,000' before taking pity on the rest of the team waiting patiently below and landing in time for a well earned beer at the club. 

Dinner was at the airfield restaurant and was enjoyed by everyone. Very large steaks were the popular choice after the excellent varied tapas dishes.

The forecast for Friday is uncertain with the tail end of a cold front possibly bringing some snow which would be a shock after the warm weather we have experienced so far this week.

Bob.

Slightly more difficult, can you spot E6?

Stuart in wave over the Hecho valley

Mike tucks into his chuleton

Caution hungry pilots at work!

Jaca Week 2 Day 3 Photos

Not long left before sunset

On the way down

Jaca week 2 - Day 3

Today's forecast was for a later start but for the blue thermals to be stronger and go higher. There was a risk that high level cloud might increase in the afternoon but there could be cumulus over the higher ground. 

The effects of the strong inversion were clearly visible from the ground and even though vultures could be seen soaring it was not until after the tug pilot had finished his lunch (2pm) that anyone took a launch. 

It was the Finnish Duo that was first to go and they took a long tow after reporting back that the air was very stable. 

Bob and Iain were next to launch, releasing over stage 1 for a character building session soaring with the vultures before finally getting up to 8,200' over the high mountains.

Merv and Dave towed to stage 2 for a quicker transition and were able to venture further afield in the time available. 

The second sorties were affected by wave that started developing around the time of the pilots changing over. 

Bob & Bob A. launched into good thermals over stage 1 and then the fire break but the disruption from the strengthening wave soon made soaring difficult at the lower levels.

Launching later, Merv recognised the change in the conditions so he and Richard towed higher, to be rewarded by getting to 16,500' in the wave.

About 8 hours of soaring were achieved today, not bad considering the late start.

We are hoping for more of the same tomorrow. 

Bob.

Proof that Iain and Bob eventually got to stage 3