Agree with that Rob : Heavens-above web site gives sunset today at Hulett as 20.07 local on a GMT-6 time zone (daylight saving) so sunset was 02.07 GMT or 12.07 Eastern Australian time. Last light was 33 minutes after sunset today, and the day length was 14h 27m - but travelling east, they would have had almost exactly an hour less time than this for the flight (16 degrees of longitude, with a small reduction for the different latitude) - hence the launch at first light gave them an extra half hour of flying time. (Minden is within a few minutes local time for sunrise and sunset, but one time zone further west.) And yes, Sundance is higher than either Hulett of Beulah, being close to the high point of the fairly broad pass through the Black Hills that would have blocked the direct track towards goal at Rapid City. They would have needed about an extra 4000 or 5000 ft to get there.

Wombat

On 5/05/2014 3:25 PM, Rob Wintulich wrote:
Last light in Wyoming is near enough Midday AEST by my quick calcs!
*From:* Gary Stevenson <mailto:[email protected]>
*Sent:* Monday, May 05, 2014 1:58 PM
*To:* 'Discussion of issues relating to Soaring in Australia.' <mailto:[email protected]> ; [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>
*Subject:* Re: [Aus-soaring] FW: Glider Distance Record Attempt 5/4/14

Looks like about 1400+ km, and about 350 km further than his earlier attempt some months ago. Ho hum – all in a day’s work! Seriously, as Mike says, a great effort.

Anyone know what time is last light (AEST), in Wyoming? As Rob more or less says, a landing into an unknown paddock at or towards last light is NOT a good option for ANY glider pilot.

Re “..... sure to produce another attempt to better it ....” I note that in the current (May/June), edition of Soaring International there is an article about Dick Georgeson, in which the author, Gavin Wills states that Georgeson obtained a World Distance record (Straight distance to a goal), in 1978 (Te Anau – Hicks Bay; 1254.26 km), *_ON HIS 27^TH ATTEMPT!_*

*_ _*

Gary

*From:* [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] *On Behalf Of *Rob Wintulich
*Sent:* Monday, 5 May 2014 1:07 PM
*To:* [email protected]; Discussion of issues relating to Soaring in Australia.
*Subject:* Re: [Aus-soaring] FW: Glider Distance Record Attempt 5/4/14

Topo map on Delorme shows Hulett elevation about 4200ft. There is one small strip at Sundance elevation about 5000ft and no strips around Beulah and not very landing friendly surrounds.

After 13+hrs and fading daylight, Hulett sounds like a good choice.

*From:* Mike Cleaver <mailto:[email protected]>

*Sent:* Monday, May 05, 2014 11:38 AM

*To:* [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> ; Discussion of issues relating to Soaring in Australia. <mailto:[email protected]>

*Subject:* Re: [Aus-soaring] FW: Glider Distance Record Attempt 5/4/14

Now seems to have landed at Hulett Municipal Airport, short of the Wyoming/South Dakota border, quite a bit further north (30 miles) than the track from Keyhole to Rapid City. Looks like he was chasing lift rather than distance eastwards, as he could have made it to the State line near Beulah from where he was earlier - with good level farmland and lower altitudes from Google Earth. Landing was about quarter to 12 Australian time. A very good effort indeed, and sure to produce another attempt to better it in the months ahead.

Wombat


On 5/05/2014 11:20 AM, Mike Cleaver wrote:

11am Australian time puts him 13000 ft AMSL over Gillette-Campbell Municipal Airport, Wyoming (about 4000'AMSL), with about 120 NM to go to Rapid City. Height enough to reach Keyhole Airport, still in Wyoming but only about 60 NM short of his goal, though with the (in) famous Black Hills up to 6500 ft AMSL ahead of him. Depends on how much lift and how much daylight ahead, but a very good flight!

Wombat


On 5/05/2014 6:30 AM, Pam wrote:

Gordfon Boetger is on another record flight attempt – live tracking – right now.

Go Gordo & Hugh!

Reba

Sent from my iPad


Begin forwarded message:

    *From:* GORDON BOETTGER <[email protected]
    <mailto:[email protected]>>
    *Subject:* *Glider Distance Record Attempt 5/4/14*

        On Sunday, May 4,  I will be making another distance record
attempt along with Hugh Bennett in the Duo Discus sailplane. Our intention is to be towed up by a towplane shortly before
        sunrise around 0530 PDT from the Minden Tahoe airport NV
        (KMEV), release and head in the direction of Rapid City, SD
        (KRAP), landing near sunset after flying over 850 miles.  If
        we can go beyond that, we obviously will.  As most know, we
        will be making this attempt in an unmotorized sailplane
        utilizing mountain wave updrafts to stay aloft.  The weather
        is favorable for this intended direction but weaker forecast
        winds might make slow going. If the flight is aborted due to
        technicalities or unfavorable weather, Walt Rogers will post
        on his twitter account (below).  We intend to climb up to
        28,000 feet before proceeding east.  As most know, there’s no
        way to tell how far we end up going.  It will depend on what
        the weather allows.  It will be cold as the cockpit is
        unheated and unpressurized.  There are too many factors
        involved to tell how far we end up, which also makes it quite
        fun to watch from the sidelines on the ground.  Our call sign
        for the flight will be N55LK.

        I will also be posting live pictures and video feed (workload
        permitting) and be in satellite communication with Walt
        Rogers, our meteorologist and dispatcher.  You can follow his
        excellent twitter feeds with weather updates and our progress
        and inflight pictures by going to:

        https://twitter.com/wrogerswx

        You can join us during the flight by following our track which
        gives position, altitude, speed, and heading.  Updates occur
        every 5 minutes.  Click on the blue dots to see our position,
        speed, altitude, and heading. Click on the following link to
        access the site on Saturday, 3/29 (be advised that you will
        have to select “map filters” on the map page and then on the
        “date and time range” choose “currently tracking” in order to
        see only our position points for THIS flight).

        https://share.delorme.com/GordonBoettger

        Also, we can be tracked on:

        www.flightaware.com <http://www.flightaware.com/>  (might not
        be accurate)

        One can also follow our live communications with Air Traffic
        Control by going to:

        http://www.liveatc.net <http://www.liveatc.net/>      (I
        believe our first frequency will be Norcal Approach on 119.2
        and then for OAK center 128.8)

        My goal is to share this wonderful adventure and beauty of
        unpowered flight with the rest of the world.  Without being in
the cockpit, this is the best way we know how to share it. Feel free to share this with your friends.

        Enjoy the ride,

        Gordon Boettger

        N55LK

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