Saturday, December 17, 2016
Sailplane Grand Prix Australia - Summary Day 3
Today was a day of refinement for all of our pilots, with Day Three providing our pilots with a fantastic opportunity to take to the sky on a high speed race across the Wimmera skies.
Todays task took our sailplanes North to Nhill, East to Birchip before returning home safely – the better conditions resulting in no outlandings today.
First home was Mark Tingey in a a JS-1 with a scoring time of 2:24:35 and average speed of 124.0 km/h. Mark. David Pietsch and Geoff Brown finished second and third.
Todays task took our sailplanes North to Nhill, East to Birchip before returning home safely – the better conditions resulting in no outlandings today.
First home was Mark Tingey in a a JS-1 with a scoring time of 2:24:35 and average speed of 124.0 km/h. Mark. David Pietsch and Geoff Brown finished second and third.
Thursday, December 15, 2016
Sailplane Grand Prix - Summary Day 2
Our second day of flying was once again a challenging day for all of our pilots. A similar task was set, which involved a trip for our pilots across to Jeparit, down to Marnoo before returning back to the Horsham Aerodrome. See below for the map of the day.
The eventual winner was Peter Temple, whose strategy allowed him a narrow victory over Sean Fidler. Todays task resulted in 4 sailplanes having to out-land.
The eventual winner was Peter Temple, whose strategy allowed him a narrow victory over Sean Fidler. Todays task resulted in 4 sailplanes having to out-land.
Check out the links below for more information and replays of the day.
Sailplane Grand Prix - Summary Day 1
Day One of the SGP Australia heat draws to a close. Due to weather, the day started late to allow pilots the best opportunity to complete the day’s task of a short run to Nhill, Minyip and back to the Horsham Aerodrome.
13 Pilots commenced the task, and only 5 were able to complete the entire circuit in today’s challenging conditions, including one out landing for the day.
We also had a visit from the ABC news crews with their filming helicopter, who were able to get some fantastic film which will feature tomorrow evening on national television.
Check out the links below for more information and replays of the day.
Preview of the Australian FAI Sailplane Grand Prix
The Australian FAI/SGP contest starts on December 14th 2016 only a few weeks before the 34th World Gliding Championships to take place at Benalla also in the state of Victoria. This presents an ideal opportunity for top Australian and overseas pilots to experience top level competition in Australian conditions and put in some serious practice...
The FAI/SGP will take place at Horsham in an ideal task area renowned for strong thermal conditions during this period of the summer. Pilots can expect some booming conditions in temperatures that regularly exceed 35 degrees Celsius, heights over 12,000ft are not uncommon and oxygen systems are strongly recommended.
In an area with very few airspace restrictions allowing races in almost any direction from the airfield over open large scale farmland. The Grampian mountains lie to the south, a range of low mountains rising to about 3000ft which will make for interesting racing when weather permits races into this region.
The very competitive Australian sailplane community is very well represented with 10 of the fourteen competing pilots but the USA and New Zealand pilots will ensure there will be no easy victory.
There are no obvious favourites to win this SGP and predicting the final podium occupiers is not easy.
There are no obvious favourites to win this SGP and predicting the final podium occupiers is not easy.
The top Australian pilot Peter Temple flying an ASG 29 and World Ranking 103 looks like a serious contender having won both the Australian 20m class and the Multiclass nationals in 2016 and 2nd in both these events in 2015.
Andrew Georgeson (AUS) world ranking 103 flying a JS1 is very experienced competitor in this class but was 2nd to Peter in the 2016 multiclass and will probably be looking to reverse this position in the SGP
Possible the most experienced Australian pilot is David Jansen flying an ASG 29. Despite his lower world ranking at 154 he has flown a World SGP final in Germany and several World Championships. In the hot and very tactical environment of SGP racing his broader experience may well give him an edge on his fellow countrymen.
The local Australian pilots may find themselves pushed hard by the visiting pilots from USA and New Zealand. Hot from the USA SGP in Michigan Sean Fidler will bring his recent experience to the races and is quite capable of beating his way to the final podium. Sean is flying an ASG 29 and his lower world ranking is mostly due to his lack of International experience.
There are several pilots with little recent track record who may surprise the top ranked pilots. Rank outsider Mark Tingey (NZ) flying a JS1 who has no world Ranking has only been flying contests for 2 years in a PW5 but is keen and talented. Whatever his result the racing in Horsham will certainly sharpen him up for the EGC in Benalla.
Saturday, December 03, 2016
New coat of paint for Pie Cart
Sunday, November 20, 2016
Sailplane Grand Prix Australia 2016 - Pilot Profile - David Wilson
Melbourne pilot David Wilson, who became hooked on gliding when a workplace scholarship was given to him to the UK, has been fascinated by the sport for 50 years.
Mr Wilson was studying welding technology at Cranfield in the UK when he joined a gliding club. He flew solo there and is one of few Australians to hold a British Bronze C.
On his return to Melbourne he joined the Victorian Motorless Flight Group (VMFG) and is currently an instructor with that club.
His initial training was in a T31 open cockpit glider.
``In winter I remember the rain stinging my face as we came in to land on a snow-covered airfield,'' he said. Later, but still in the UK I flew in Bocian, Capstan, Tutor, Olympia, Oly 463, Skylark, T21 and TG3.
In the VMFG, I flew in many aircraft, including the long-wing Kookaburra, skylark 2, Boomerang Libelle, and, as the years went on, a long list of gliders.
``The club instructors at that time were very focused on teaching thermalling and cross country flying,'' he said. He was encouraged to enter competitions, including the very friendly Horsham week.
``Today the VMFG, now renamed Melbourne Gliding Club, has nearly 100 members, and, in my opinion, the best two-seater fleet in Australia, with two DG1000s, one DG505 and one Duo Discus.''
The club shares Bacchus Marsh airfield with clubs at Geelong and Beaufort and now has an increasing number of power pilots.
``I am also a member of the Gliding Club of Victoria, because I sold half of my ASG29 Glider to Tim Shirley, who has a hangar space there. Tim lives in Benalla, and flies the 29 more than me.
``He keeps it in immaculate condition, and I get to fly it in the Nationals and competitions like this Grand Prix!''
I enjoy seeing the countryside from the air. I enjoy getting an understanding of the way the air works to provide us with lift. Even after fifty years, I am still learning more about that.
What are your favorite flying conditions?
My favourite flying days are when cumulus clouds have bases at about ten thousand feet. Flying over new country, or over mountains where the scenery is spectacular.
He first joined a syndicate of four to buy a Phoebus C which he flew in 1967 in Horsham's third gliding week. The task was a free distance out and return.
``I remember flying north until I ran off the edge of my maps, near Ouyen,'' he said. ``I kept going to Hattah, turned for home and got back to Horsham at just after 4pm.
``With another map I could have gone well past Mildura. We don't get gliding days like that anymore – perhaps because of climate change.''
He also flew that glider in his first Nationals at Benalla in 1968.
``We exchanged the Phoebus for a Kestrel 19, then bought a Nimbus 2 after the Waikerie world comps. Later I became part owner of a Pik 20D, which I flew for nearly 15 years. I then bought an ASW24, which I similarly owned until a year ago. I bought an ASG29 nearly ten years ago, and am flying that glider in this year's Grand Prix.''
He said gliders had become much more streamlined with the introduction of fiberglass and carbon fibre. Maintenance was easier as was rigging. However the improved performance did not appear to be reflected in longer distances of faster flying, possibly because of climate change.
David Wilson flew in the first Grand Prix at Gawler nearly fifteen years ago and has taken part in several since. He enjoys flying out of Horsham and knows the country well.
His longest flight was 777 km in the ASW24, out of Narromine for a 750K diploma. He has two diamonds, but has yet to achieve the height gain.
David Wilson lives in Melbourne and is married with three daughters and seven grandchildren. A new house came with the criteria that it have a workshop large enough for glider form 2 inspections.
Michael P Hogan
Mr Wilson was studying welding technology at Cranfield in the UK when he joined a gliding club. He flew solo there and is one of few Australians to hold a British Bronze C.
On his return to Melbourne he joined the Victorian Motorless Flight Group (VMFG) and is currently an instructor with that club.
His initial training was in a T31 open cockpit glider.
``In winter I remember the rain stinging my face as we came in to land on a snow-covered airfield,'' he said. Later, but still in the UK I flew in Bocian, Capstan, Tutor, Olympia, Oly 463, Skylark, T21 and TG3.
In the VMFG, I flew in many aircraft, including the long-wing Kookaburra, skylark 2, Boomerang Libelle, and, as the years went on, a long list of gliders.
``The club instructors at that time were very focused on teaching thermalling and cross country flying,'' he said. He was encouraged to enter competitions, including the very friendly Horsham week.
``Today the VMFG, now renamed Melbourne Gliding Club, has nearly 100 members, and, in my opinion, the best two-seater fleet in Australia, with two DG1000s, one DG505 and one Duo Discus.''
The club shares Bacchus Marsh airfield with clubs at Geelong and Beaufort and now has an increasing number of power pilots.
``I am also a member of the Gliding Club of Victoria, because I sold half of my ASG29 Glider to Tim Shirley, who has a hangar space there. Tim lives in Benalla, and flies the 29 more than me.
``He keeps it in immaculate condition, and I get to fly it in the Nationals and competitions like this Grand Prix!''
I enjoy seeing the countryside from the air. I enjoy getting an understanding of the way the air works to provide us with lift. Even after fifty years, I am still learning more about that.
What are your favorite flying conditions?
My favourite flying days are when cumulus clouds have bases at about ten thousand feet. Flying over new country, or over mountains where the scenery is spectacular.
He first joined a syndicate of four to buy a Phoebus C which he flew in 1967 in Horsham's third gliding week. The task was a free distance out and return.
``I remember flying north until I ran off the edge of my maps, near Ouyen,'' he said. ``I kept going to Hattah, turned for home and got back to Horsham at just after 4pm.
``With another map I could have gone well past Mildura. We don't get gliding days like that anymore – perhaps because of climate change.''
He also flew that glider in his first Nationals at Benalla in 1968.
``We exchanged the Phoebus for a Kestrel 19, then bought a Nimbus 2 after the Waikerie world comps. Later I became part owner of a Pik 20D, which I flew for nearly 15 years. I then bought an ASW24, which I similarly owned until a year ago. I bought an ASG29 nearly ten years ago, and am flying that glider in this year's Grand Prix.''
He said gliders had become much more streamlined with the introduction of fiberglass and carbon fibre. Maintenance was easier as was rigging. However the improved performance did not appear to be reflected in longer distances of faster flying, possibly because of climate change.
David Wilson flew in the first Grand Prix at Gawler nearly fifteen years ago and has taken part in several since. He enjoys flying out of Horsham and knows the country well.
His longest flight was 777 km in the ASW24, out of Narromine for a 750K diploma. He has two diamonds, but has yet to achieve the height gain.
David Wilson lives in Melbourne and is married with three daughters and seven grandchildren. A new house came with the criteria that it have a workshop large enough for glider form 2 inspections.
Michael P Hogan
Thursday, October 20, 2016
8th Series Sailplane Grand Prix – Horsham Australia 14-22 December 2016
The first event in the 8th Series of the Sailplane Grand Prix will take place at Horsham in Victoria,
This event will be held in the leadup to the 34 th World Gliding Championships at Benalla, and will be an ideal opportunity for top Australian and overseas pilots to get some serious competition before the Worlds.
For full details go to sgp.aero/australia2016.aspx?contestID=27849
Competition Direstor Tim Shirley said, "This will be the first time that the Australian Sailplane GP has come to Victoria, and we are looking forward to it as a lead-up to the World Gliding Championships at Benalla the following month. We are expecting a high quality field of Australian and overseas competitors. Horsham is a fantastic place for gliding, with good weather, no airspace restrictions and an excellent airfield and local community. "
Horsham is located in Western Victoria about halfway between the cities of Melbourne and Adelaide. The area is well known for strong thermal conditions at that time of the year, and pilots can expect some booming conditions in temperatures that regularly exceed 35C. Oxygen systems are strongly recommended as heights of over 12,000ft are not uncommon.
There are very few restrictions on airspace, and it is possible to set tasks in almost any direction from the airfield.The countryside around Horsham is mostly open farmland, with some areas of natural vegetation. There is a range of hills to the South of Horsham (the Grampians) which rise to about 3,000ft, and when weather permits we will make use of this feature.
Horsham is a town of approximately 15,000 people and has a wide range of accommodation options, shops and other businesses. The airfield is located about 5km northwest of the town, where the Horsham Flying Club (formerly the Wimmera Soaring Club) has operated for over 50 years. The airfield has two bitumen runways at right angles, with grassed glider runways adjacent. The airfield elevation is 440ft AMSL, and apart from the Grampians range the task area does not vary much in altitude.
Facilities on the airfield are excellent with an air-conditioned clubhouse and bar, and a purpose built briefing room. Accommodation on the airfield itself is limited however, and we recommend that pilots seek lodging in Horsham itself.
The Organising Committee and the town of Horsham looks forward to welcoming competitors and visitors to the Australian Sailplane Grand Prix in December 2016.
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