...after the torrid weekend weather
The rain had stopped and the wind abated this morning, although there was still a strong breeze was blowing. However not so windy that you couldn't fly, so I scooped up the
Trainstar and Radjet and, along with radio box and camera bag, just managed to get out the front door.
The breeze had picked up by the time I arrived at the field, but I decided to fly the
Trainstar anyway, it not being too gusty, so I set up the camera to film some touch-and-go attempts and general fly-by's.
The only downside, as I discovered arriving at work, was that I'd forgotten my lunch when I left home with an armful of planes...
Showing posts with label wind. Show all posts
Showing posts with label wind. Show all posts
Sunday, 4 May 2014
Friday, 24 January 2014
Walrus in the Wind
...a little too much can be a bit too much
Having recently suffered a lumbar incident by putting the squeeze on a spinal disc, I've been out of the air for a few days with activities limited to devising novel methods of sitting down and getting up without aggravating my back.
Yesterday, however, after a physio treatment and a few days rest, I awoke to finding my back much recovered. Buoyed by being finally on the mend I managed a tentative day at work and, with evening approaching and a picturesque pastel light show developing in the clouds, I headed off to the field for a well-earned fly.
The conditions were breezy, in fact before leaving I had stood at the car for several minutes trying to decide whether things were, perhaps, not a little too windy for comfort. However, having recently flown in quite gusty conditions, and found them quite entertaining, I decided to head off.
I launched the Walrus at almost full power, something I almost never do simply because it's not necessary, however in these conditions I wanted to make sure that Wally was well up into the air before backing off. Just as well, as, within seconds of launch, it was immediately apparent that conditions were more severe than anticipated.
The Walrus, despite being on full throttle, was being pushed by the wind so much so that it was in a nose-up attitude but not climbing at all, just being pushed forward. Fortunately, being generously powered, I managed to muscle the Walrus to a safe altitude where I could assess the flying conditions a bit better.
It didn't take long to realise that, despite the beautifully illuminated clouds and warm glow from the horizon, that this wasn't the best evening to be flying so I brought Wally in on finals. Easier said than done, though. The high winds meant the glider made almost no forward progress on its approach, and I had to power up and climb round for another try. This time too high, as once it reached the field, the protection of the trees meant it floated too far...
I finally managed to bring it in on a decent final, although a bit of tacking was required to bleed of a little height and, after a few sharp wobbles thanks to gusting wind, I put the Walrus down to a nice gentle landing...
Having recently suffered a lumbar incident by putting the squeeze on a spinal disc, I've been out of the air for a few days with activities limited to devising novel methods of sitting down and getting up without aggravating my back.
Yesterday, however, after a physio treatment and a few days rest, I awoke to finding my back much recovered. Buoyed by being finally on the mend I managed a tentative day at work and, with evening approaching and a picturesque pastel light show developing in the clouds, I headed off to the field for a well-earned fly.
The conditions were breezy, in fact before leaving I had stood at the car for several minutes trying to decide whether things were, perhaps, not a little too windy for comfort. However, having recently flown in quite gusty conditions, and found them quite entertaining, I decided to head off.
I launched the Walrus at almost full power, something I almost never do simply because it's not necessary, however in these conditions I wanted to make sure that Wally was well up into the air before backing off. Just as well, as, within seconds of launch, it was immediately apparent that conditions were more severe than anticipated.
The Walrus, despite being on full throttle, was being pushed by the wind so much so that it was in a nose-up attitude but not climbing at all, just being pushed forward. Fortunately, being generously powered, I managed to muscle the Walrus to a safe altitude where I could assess the flying conditions a bit better.
It didn't take long to realise that, despite the beautifully illuminated clouds and warm glow from the horizon, that this wasn't the best evening to be flying so I brought Wally in on finals. Easier said than done, though. The high winds meant the glider made almost no forward progress on its approach, and I had to power up and climb round for another try. This time too high, as once it reached the field, the protection of the trees meant it floated too far...
I finally managed to bring it in on a decent final, although a bit of tacking was required to bleed of a little height and, after a few sharp wobbles thanks to gusting wind, I put the Walrus down to a nice gentle landing...
Tuesday, 12 November 2013
Rain Rain go Away
...and take the wind with you
The run of miserable flying weather continues with a southern cyclonic cell now shipping in cold wind and soaking rains.
I had hoped that the run of breezy weather would have abated for at least a few hours to allow a quick flight. Having obsessively observed the tree-tops for signs of slackening wind on the weekend, I dashed down to the field late Saturday afternoon to take advantage of a drop in the wind.
Arriving at the field I noticed some occasional gusting in the trees but decided it was still calm enough to get the Walrus up for a bit of exercise. Very shortly afterwards, when the economical cruise speed left the Walrus stationary against headwinds, I had cause to reconsider my bravado. A few bumpy circuits later, including a full-power emergency climb to avoid a tree, I'd had enough and decided to bring the plane back in.
Coming in on approach the wing kicked violently and I suddenly realised that things could go horribly wrong very quickly and that, if I managed to get the craft down in one piece, I would have done well.
Fortunately, as the plane descended so the strength of the gusts eased, and I eventually could bring the plane in to kiss the grass in tranquil touchdown...
The run of miserable flying weather continues with a southern cyclonic cell now shipping in cold wind and soaking rains.
I had hoped that the run of breezy weather would have abated for at least a few hours to allow a quick flight. Having obsessively observed the tree-tops for signs of slackening wind on the weekend, I dashed down to the field late Saturday afternoon to take advantage of a drop in the wind.
Arriving at the field I noticed some occasional gusting in the trees but decided it was still calm enough to get the Walrus up for a bit of exercise. Very shortly afterwards, when the economical cruise speed left the Walrus stationary against headwinds, I had cause to reconsider my bravado. A few bumpy circuits later, including a full-power emergency climb to avoid a tree, I'd had enough and decided to bring the plane back in.
Coming in on approach the wing kicked violently and I suddenly realised that things could go horribly wrong very quickly and that, if I managed to get the craft down in one piece, I would have done well.
Fortunately, as the plane descended so the strength of the gusts eased, and I eventually could bring the plane in to kiss the grass in tranquil touchdown...
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