To fly or not to fly, that is the question...
Today was always going to be a hard call for the competition organisers. The Mistral was still threatening to blow the day out but, maximising every opportunity to fly competition tasks, we were promptly dispatched after briefing to the Chabre North take off, with strict instructions from UK Meethead Nick Pain not to take our gliders off the cars, let alone rig. A further briefing was to be held on launch once the conditions had been assessed.
With the wind round to the North West and blowing fairly strong it was in the balance whether a task would be called - launching in gutsy conditions when the wind is "off" the hill can lead to disastrous consequences. The streamers at take off point 1 were blowing in different directions to the main windsock that was frequently indicating either a 90 degree crosswind or indeed a tail wind. Timing a take off was going to be critical, and getting 120 pilots off the hill safely was becoming questionable.
With the vast majority of the top 30 pilots electing to rig and launch at take off 3, the most eastern launch area favoured by the vast majority of HG and PG pilots, there was a scurry of activity when Nick Pain gave the go-ahead to rig. I had gone for take off -1 which , even though was deemed to be more problematic, I thought would be all right if given the time to chose a launch window. Having seized the opportunity to take one of the six "early bird" slots (allowed to take off up to thirty minutes before the main group of competitors) I felt confident that I could time my launch appropriately.
A task was set - first to Col St Jean to the West then back over the valley to a couple of way-points to the East with goal in the South. But as luck would have it, take off 1 was closed on safety grounds due to the erratic nature and strength of the wind. With my early bird ticket I was allowed to push to the front of the queue at take off 2, managing to manoeuvre my glider across the spine back ridge with the help of our trusty local ex-pat flying guru/driver Geoff Sykes. While the rumblings of "this is crazy" and "I refuse to marshal the take-offs when its this dangerous" became more noticeable, Nick Pain(UK Meethead) tried to find various creative solutions to get a task in, including sending up six volunteers to test the launch and conditions, armed with the task IF the wind dummy pilots thought it safe. Unorthodox, but a valiant effort to get everyone flying. I volunteered. Get the timing right and there should be no problem.
A blast of the air-horn. Another briefing. Bad news, the task was cancelled on safety grounds. A ripple of applause greeted the announcement. Not deterred by this, I was keen to have a fly. I recall certain non-French marshals reminding me that "its only a sport", "Its just for fun" and "think of your boys..." as I made my way to launch. Once at the top of the ramp. it became abundantly clear how turbulent the air was but several French pilots were already flying, apparently with the aim of flying the task. Quickly decking the base bar as first the right and then left wing lifted violently, I was soon being helped by two wing wiremen and a noseman. Jena Louis Fuglia (French Meet Director) jumped in to take the nose as I tested the air several times by shouldering the glider as if to launch, but each time quickly either dropping the base bar to the floor or relying on my helpers to keep the glider straight and level. Suddenly everything was pointing in the right direction - windsock and streamers were all blowing up the hill.
With reassuring confirmation from Jean Louis that it was good, I committed to take off and was soon climbing out in very rough air in front of launch. Listening to the French radio channel I could hear them making their way to Col St Jean and then pushing out over the valley to Gash before attempting to glide upwind back to the Laragne Monteglin goal field.
I decided to try and push up north towards Serres, before heading back down south to goal. The strong head wind meant that it was a big challenge to push upwind, with heavy sink making the going very tough. A couple of sail planes were also enjoying the gnarly conditions.
Having got a part way to Serres I decided to head back for the campsite. It was apparent with the speed with which I was covering the ground that the wind speed was indeed very high, confirmed by the radio messages from the French that the wind in the goal field was extrmely strong and gusty. As I made my final approach a whole gaggle of gliders were racing in, using the whole length of the field to stay away from the rotor inducing trees and buildings by the campsite office. I was un-ceremoniously dumped from ten feet to make a not so perfect landing, but got away with it. The Brit retrieve crews were running about the field helping pilots control their gliders as they struggled to the derigging area - thank you to Babs and Charlie.
So another day not taskable, but a fun days flying.
Today was always going to be a hard call for the competition organisers. The Mistral was still threatening to blow the day out but, maximising every opportunity to fly competition tasks, we were promptly dispatched after briefing to the Chabre North take off, with strict instructions from UK Meethead Nick Pain not to take our gliders off the cars, let alone rig. A further briefing was to be held on launch once the conditions had been assessed.
 |
| Windsock on take off indicating a strong cross wind |
With the vast majority of the top 30 pilots electing to rig and launch at take off 3, the most eastern launch area favoured by the vast majority of HG and PG pilots, there was a scurry of activity when Nick Pain gave the go-ahead to rig. I had gone for take off -1 which , even though was deemed to be more problematic, I thought would be all right if given the time to chose a launch window. Having seized the opportunity to take one of the six "early bird" slots (allowed to take off up to thirty minutes before the main group of competitors) I felt confident that I could time my launch appropriately.
 |
| Sailplane buzzing the ridge before doing acrobatics |
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| 3rd briefing of the day... |
With reassuring confirmation from Jean Louis that it was good, I committed to take off and was soon climbing out in very rough air in front of launch. Listening to the French radio channel I could hear them making their way to Col St Jean and then pushing out over the valley to Gash before attempting to glide upwind back to the Laragne Monteglin goal field.
I decided to try and push up north towards Serres, before heading back down south to goal. The strong head wind meant that it was a big challenge to push upwind, with heavy sink making the going very tough. A couple of sail planes were also enjoying the gnarly conditions.
Having got a part way to Serres I decided to head back for the campsite. It was apparent with the speed with which I was covering the ground that the wind speed was indeed very high, confirmed by the radio messages from the French that the wind in the goal field was extrmely strong and gusty. As I made my final approach a whole gaggle of gliders were racing in, using the whole length of the field to stay away from the rotor inducing trees and buildings by the campsite office. I was un-ceremoniously dumped from ten feet to make a not so perfect landing, but got away with it. The Brit retrieve crews were running about the field helping pilots control their gliders as they struggled to the derigging area - thank you to Babs and Charlie.
So another day not taskable, but a fun days flying.
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