Jaca 2017 - Week 4 Day 4

The wave was predicted to need a long tow and so the tug trundled up the Hecho valley at a height which required the tugees just to hang on through the usual rough and tumble until it was safe to release. Passing the normal hot-spot near Hecho village the height still seemed rather low, so we and the tug carried on up the valley where it became even rougher. After casting off in some rotor we discovered how to lose all weight in 1 second. We went back to Hecho and after some messing around in some better-behaved rotor we eventually climbed up into the smooth lift and cruised about serenely. After feeling highly superior for a while, it was time to find somewhere to go down. Tricky, but we made it back, though there was a place where we were going up at 4 knots with half air-brake. The same trick on the second flight was not possible. We never connected and after valiant attempts in fleeting surges, we declined to the point where landing back seemed probable. At this point Jim Pritchard revealed his avian ancestry by climbing up in the valley to the inversion layer with his fellow vultures. A few fruitless attempts were made to get back up into the lumpy bits, but eventually the flight became local soaring. On one sortie northward, we hit a gust so strong that we even thought that we might have hit a solid object. Dinner and De Colores https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=48vNfKUHWRw at Toya's tonight

Jaca 2017 - Week 4 Day 3

Every day seems to start the same but ends differently. There was more of a north-easterly coming from the mountains and it got stronger during the day. The start was the earliest so far (1pm) and led to much wolfing of tapas. If you connected with the thermals low down, it was possible to climb up to 3000m downwind of Collorada and just cruise about. The second flights were supposed to be where the first flights left off, but they never are.  Mid-way through the day you are trying to find some descending air to get back for the hand-over. Half an hour later you launch telling P2 how easy it has been and then you struggle to get away and so appear totally incompetent. We eventually climbed up again in the middle of the valley and tried to get into the high stuff again, but there was a long blue gap to the Pyrenees because the wave was going down there. Suddenly every thermal shut down and there was a mass landing. Even after waiting for the rush to subside there was still a surprise in store for us. The down wave in the valley was there on the downwind leg as well. OK it was probably started 100 feet lower than recommended, but normally you always end up with too much height on the base leg, except for today. Blimey! That was exciting. El Porton tonight for eats.

Jaca 2017 - Week 4 Day 2

'Twas brillig and the slithy toves did gyre and gimble in the wave...This was another day that dawned bright but with some cloud that took until 1pm to disperse. The wind was stronger and so there was the possibility of wave. The usual surge near Javierregay in these conditions rewarded the brave who pulled off tow at 1500 above the site. The problem was where to go after that from 7000 feet. Various excursions up the Hecho valley resulted in scuttles back to almost circuit height before the K21 cruised off to the the ridge running up to Canfranc from Jaca. At just the right moment the cumulus that had been cycling burst forth once more and it was possible to climb up to 8700 and then up to the snow-line. Having learned how to do it, the next flight should have been a repeat. However the trip up the Hecho valley caused the same scuttle back to exactly circuit height and so the K21 landed. Everyone had long flights and the day was finished off at Anaya at Puente la Reina.

Jaca 2017 - Week 4 Day 1

This week's team includes: the variably named Nan Appleyard/Worrell, Jim Pritchard, John Caton and Jon Bareford with David Williams and John McCullagh as instructors. The weather was brilliantly sunny and after scraping ice off the windscreen, it seemed like the cloudbase would be awesome. It wasn't. Firstly there was no cloud, except in the distance, and secondly it was difficult to get above 6000 feet. Jav in his K6 disappeared for the rest of the day after two attempts with extremely high tows but the rest of us could only just stay airborne, though fortunately for long periods of time. With the ground only a few hundred feet below most of the time, there was little opportunity for photos. Most of us headed off to Casa Fau for a unending selection of tapas selected by Mike Evans. JM

Week 3 Days 3&4
Day 3 High pressure is still in command. A largely blue day anticipated  with a slower start. No wave expected. As forecast largely blue except the top of the Pyrenees where there were a few wispy cumulus clouds. It was better than expected, although difficult to find initially once located it was strong thermals +6kts average and remained active in the same locations all day going to 8300ft  at the second stage allowing easy access to the mountain tops. Once at the top soaring  along  in ridge/thermals lift could be done at speed without turning for miles. Graham  McKiddie and Paul Hicks claimed that one flight alone such an experience it had made their week. Sometimes one looks back in disbelief thinking, did we really do that! Is it really legal!

Day 4 The high pressure has finally been edged away to the east and fronts are anticipated with rain and thunderstorms towards the end of the day. It was thought a no fly day. However there was just a glimmer of hope that some flying might be possible. High cloud covered the area to the east and directly over head but to the west some signs of a clear area appeared. It all looked  like it was never going to get started before the high level thunder storm clouds went bang. We sat on the ground uncertain and indecisive until the tug pilot asked if he could go home. That was it, we launched. Suddenly lift was everywhere, in the valley in the hills and at the tops. The strength of the lift was at times of the clock. The main problem at times was avoiding getting sucked into cloud  which was at about 8500ft at the top. Very fast runs were possible at max rough air. However this party ended with a bang. The promised storms arrived very quickly, suddenly there was a flash to the north west! Game over, everyone rushed back to get on the ground before the conditions became too bad. Now lightning strikes were frequent and getting close with rain beginning to hit the airfield. Everyone landed safely in time to avoid the final downpour with hail and the expected thunderstorm right over the airfield. An exciting day for all particularly for John Caton and Graham McKiddie. Wow! what next! 

Week 3 Day1-3

Day 1
8/8ths cover with rain virtually all day. Great day to get the domestics done. Tomorrow looks better with high pressure over central Spain holding fronts at bay over the Atlantic.
Day 2
Light winds from the west with cloud base at 7500ft. Some convergence lift was found between stage 2 and 3. Mainly thermic with such light wind conditions. All the expedition flew throughout the day until about 1900hrs.
Getting to the snowline was achieved with a little care but once there staying at the top proved harder. However those new to mountain flying found the practice to locating lift and centering very instructive.
In such benign conditions launching on aero-tow and circuits followed by landings proved no problem.
John Caton and Jon Cox flew with John Simmonds, you can't beat a common name for confusion
An evening with those well know socialites and mass catering hosts really polished off the day. Thanks to Morag who created magical menus of sumpteous succulent meat balls and salmon for those with delicate constitutions

Day 3
It was  a slower day getting started with fewer narrow thermals low down. As there was a bit of a wait at the start, expedition members were treated to a discussion about wave, mountain thermals and how they can all combine.
Virtually no wind was forecast and a largely blue day. Thermals topped generally at 7500ft in the blue but further to the east some isolated cumulus went to 10000ft.
launching started at about 1400hrs and flying continued untill gone 1900hrs. It was hot and hard work for all, but thermalling skills are really being honed.
Everyone expressed themselves satisfied with the day and are looking forward to tomorrow. Another great evening was had with Merv and Morag hosting.

Jaca 2017 - Week 2

Some of us went to the mountains...

Some of us went to the fields....

But most of us stayed in the bar...

Anne Knight: Peter Fenner: Paul Wheatcroft; Alex McAtamney.

And leading them astray: John Brooke and Bob Johnson.

Monday
The week started well with flights to stage 3 for Anne & Peter in the Duo-Discus, although Alex's first flight in 775 was shortish & rather spoilt Paul's day.

In Alex's own words:

The conditions were beautiful. Perfect for flying. Myself and John Brooke instead enjoyed the day with sheep 6km east of the airfield. Total flight time 11 mins. I soon learned that pulling off aerotow with 10kts on the vario doesn't count for much if it's not there after turning to reconnect. We had to rapidly consider plan B as the vario sang out 6knts of sink. Oh. What plan B. Within moments I was looking up at the ridge line wondering how we were going to hop over to reach the airfield. As one does in situations like this, you have control John. He weaved  down the ridge very close to the bowls trying to find the slightest of lift.  The vario kept singing 6kts down. I was looking at fields out in the valley rising up the canopy. John spotted a field down to our left deep in the river gorge. Our remaining altitude was disappearing rapidly. We hopped over the last tip of the ridge and around to the front face, still sinking. Power cables straight to the left. No height to get over. Field straight ahead sloping upwards. 100 ft remaining. airbrakes open. Hello sheep. Luckily they kept themselves to the lower half of the field under the power cables  What a great day. I probably learnt more in that 11 mins  than I would have cruising the beautiful peaks for 3 hours.

This is what it looked like!

Tuesday was a challenging day which started late and ended early. As an alternative BJ provided an evening cultural tour of Jaca town which included the walk past the gay knight (don't ask) and a visit to Tasca de Ana - tapas to die for and, if you get there early, a table to sit at.

Wednesday had cloud over the mountains but was thermic to the south so to the south we went. We had some nice (and  very close) views of Cuculo and Oroel.

We woke on Thursday to several inches of snow and the team where convinced they could have a day off. We did nearly 8 hrs flying. Paul was definitely seen to smile.

Friday was dull and overcast, Anne took a launch with BJ asleep in the back. Found a thermal off the home hill at some ridiculously low height, climbed away, flew up to stage 2 looked at it and carried on up to the tops,  looked over into France and came home. 

Saturday
The forecast was for rain and it was right. Some of the rain was frozen. We didn’t get the stuff out of the hangar.

We had lunch up at the airfield, it was going to be dinner but the weather was even too bad for sightseeing. Very good lunch, three courses, wine and coffee for 18 euros.

And so the week ended. Five days flying out of six, all the flights interesting, even challenging at times which is just the way it should be. If it’s too easy  it’s no fun!