Hi Yesterday I took posession of my 1/4 share of "Alice in Wonderland" (alias Alpha Whisky, VH-GAW Nimbus 2C) at Darling Downs Soaring Club. I also witnessed the parting sadness of the previous owners of the share - thanks again Jenny and Jeremy).
After a quick site check in a Puchacz (which also served as a type check - I had not flown one before, it felt very odd starting the launch with the stick so far back!) Alice and I sat and waited for the day to get going. There was much promise in the forecast and there were distant Cu's popping to the east and north, but Jondaryan remained blue and the the reports from the two seaters were discouraging. Finally, things started to happen around midday and a gaggle of single seaters launched - including Alice and I. With thoughts I imagine akin to a transition from Tiger Moth to Spitfire, I must admit to a certain amount of nervousness as the rope tightened in front of us - but things went smoothly enough on the launch (I'll get better Alice) and we dropped the tow at 2000' agl. The thermals were there, but took a while to wind up to 'Queensland strength' (better than 6kts on the averager). Even in that weak early lift, Alice tucked her wing knowingly into the thermal and we headed cloudwards. Alice then took me on an eastern tour of the area I had traversed with Bert Persson during the comp at Chinchilla. Alice danced graciously through the sky - at least, as well as her inexperienced and sometimes tangle footed partner would allow. All the while, the day got better and better as Alice taught me how to centre her 20.5m wingspan into the strengthening thermals. A reasonably centred climb of 7.7kts on the averager demonstrated, I hope, that I was learning! One leg of an improvised task had us cantering joyously from Jondaryan to Pittsworth - about 20km straight line flight of 70-90kts that started at 8000' and ended at 8100' with the assistance of a magnificient cloudstreet! After over 4 hours, we were cruising languidly at 7000' as the sun sank towards the horizon and the sky became a wonderland of blushing Cus. But the evening chill was creeping into the cockpit, so a return to earth seemed in order, which was accomplished adequately enough. As we slid Alice into her hangar, the full moon rolled hugely over the horizon - a fitting end to a magical day. Alice and I will get to know one another better, with many enjoyable yet more stretching flights in the future. Alice may not be the youngest and sexiest glider at Jondaryan, but she is gorgeous and has much rich experience to share in the wide, wild wonderland of the sky. I am entranced - it is certainly a case of 'Love at first flight'. -- Robert Hart [EMAIL PROTECTED] Strategic IT & open source consulting +61 (0)438 385 533 Brisbane, Australia http://www.interweft.com.au -- * You are subscribed to the aus-soaring mailing list. * To Unsubscribe: send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] * with "unsubscribe aus-soaring" in the body of the message * or with "help" in the body of the message for more information.
