> I wonder if the glider pilots near the proposed site (Mildura) have
heard 
> of it? 

Dunno about Mildura: Renmark GC has seen the articles and thought about
it. Ned's Corner is about halfway between Mildura and Renmark - I went
past the proposed site a few weeks ago wishing it was already there.

> I wonder how effective it would be as a manmade thermal?

Can anyone compare its size to a strong natural thermal? 15 m/s (30 knots)
is pretty strong, but the collection area may not be that different to a
natural thermal's. Just a bit more concentrated and reliable.

I haven't seen a figure for the width of the tower, but I'm guessing it
will be less than the size of a natural thermal? I think I'd like to let
it disperse a bit, ie. join it well above the tower, which is already 1 km
high.

If there were any moisture involved, the thing could have a plume of cloud
trailing off it downwind. CBs even? And a consistent wind flowing towards
it at ground level. Meteorological impact would have to be part of the
environmental study...

> .. I wonder if the authorities will ban soaring over it?

My guess is that it could have "prohibited" airspace around it up to a
fair height. It would be quite a surprise for your average Cessna punter
to stumble into, especially in instrument conditions.

And I think the owners might take a dim view of any kind of aircraft
circling around their expensive construction. I know Tel$tra were
unimpressed by hang gliders doing close passes near their towers on a hill
I won't mention, and had the nearby launch closed down.

-- 
Pete Siddall ~ Renmark Gliding Club

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