Note: The FlyinOrange has moved to: flyinorange.blog
Continued from Part 5.
Topped up at the Crazy Thermal Place, we now begin to trek north east towards the convergence with an eye on our next turn point, Sacamacate. Sacamacate and it's northern neighbour, San Agustin, act as a jump off point for XCs heading east ward (key point # 3).
As we would later learn, the daily convergence will vary in location based on which wind is more dominant. The cloud line will give one a good idea of where to look and a sudden change from tail to head wind will announce the precise location. It goes without saying that where there is a convergence, there is lift. In the case of Valle, this lift band acts as a rough east-west highway across the mesa. The cloud from this lift band will shade out the thermal generators to the north which can in turn result in areas of significant sink. To avoid such a potential pitfall, Marko recommends that we travel along the southern, sunny side.
Today the convergence has set up more towards the south, precluding the need to transition to a turn point/top off spot to the north of Crazy Thermal Place called Cerro Gordo. This will make for a fast transition and the only thing we need to concentrate on during this leg is staying out of the cloud.
Arriving at Sacamacate, our group begins to work the climb required to cross the small valley and continue eastward. Unfortunately ambition gets the better of us and a trip to the white room results.
Of note, ears on the Gin Explorer flap a remarkable amount and the wing rolls side to side quite readily.
Now back at cloud base (and then some), we are ready to transition to the next turn point - Quintanillas. The day is now in full swing with a 4000m cloud base, quick climbs, and fast flying. The out and return with Quintanillas is little more than a formality at this point.
But the epic conditions come at a cost - frozen hands across the board and hypoxia for myself (if the developing headache and nausea is any guide). Marko suggests that we try for San Agustin but the response is lacklustre. I announce on the radio that I am going to put down in the airfield just south of the gas station. I am joined by my fellow pilots a short time later.
We pack up and head back into town. Everyone is famished and I need to check into the hotel.
End of the day?
Not even close.
Once fed, we head back to Marko's for the start of the theory portion of the course. 15 hours of theory, according the syllabus. Now this is a proper XC course.
9 PM. Heads are filled, we call it a day.
Continued in Part 7.
Continued from Part 5.
Topped up at the Crazy Thermal Place, we now begin to trek north east towards the convergence with an eye on our next turn point, Sacamacate. Sacamacate and it's northern neighbour, San Agustin, act as a jump off point for XCs heading east ward (key point # 3).
 |
| The convergence line visible via the shadow of the resultant clouds. |
Today the convergence has set up more towards the south, precluding the need to transition to a turn point/top off spot to the north of Crazy Thermal Place called Cerro Gordo. This will make for a fast transition and the only thing we need to concentrate on during this leg is staying out of the cloud.
 |
| Sacamacate to the right. Just to the left of midline is the baseball diamond shaped field - La Casa. |
Of note, ears on the Gin Explorer flap a remarkable amount and the wing rolls side to side quite readily.
Now back at cloud base (and then some), we are ready to transition to the next turn point - Quintanillas. The day is now in full swing with a 4000m cloud base, quick climbs, and fast flying. The out and return with Quintanillas is little more than a formality at this point.
But the epic conditions come at a cost - frozen hands across the board and hypoxia for myself (if the developing headache and nausea is any guide). Marko suggests that we try for San Agustin but the response is lacklustre. I announce on the radio that I am going to put down in the airfield just south of the gas station. I am joined by my fellow pilots a short time later.
 |
| The flight. |
End of the day?
Not even close.
Once fed, we head back to Marko's for the start of the theory portion of the course. 15 hours of theory, according the syllabus. Now this is a proper XC course.
 |
| In the classroom, Marko explaining the valley winds and the mechanics of the convergence. |
9 PM. Heads are filled, we call it a day.
Continued in Part 7.
No comments:
Post a Comment