SemiArticulate

Random Musings
June 22nd, 2014

Flying Report

It has been a while since I’ve done a gliding report, so here is a quick update

Done lots of gliding, including gaining the C certificate. I’ve done my 50k flight for the Silver C, and all I need to do is the five hour flight. Total time is now over 135hours. I’ve even made a few videos: at porepunkah.

Powered flying has gone no where, due to a lack of funds.

May 16th, 2014

Porepunkah Videos

This one is a quick video of me in UKA going from the Chalet to the bowl. The camera was hand held.

This next one is with the camera mounted on the RAM mount. It is a rather long tow.

The last video is me coming into land.

May 5th, 2013

GGC Website update planning

I’ve come up with a plan to update the Geelong Gliding Club website, which is running on an ancient version of Joomla.

First, using the migrator1.5.zip (which is really hard to find) to update to Joomla 1.5.

Then using the J2XML import/export tool to update to Joomla 3.1.

After that it should be much easier to update to future versions.

Problems:

  1. Replacement extensions.  Lots of the extensions used in the current version no longer exist at all, or no longer exist for 1.5. JoomGallery looks like a good replacement Image Gallery tool.
  2. Getting the files into Lunar pages. this could be problematic.
December 29th, 2012

Gliding Report

Did nearly four and a half hours in the DuoDiscus with John Buchanan. JB saved me a few times, and I have a few things to learn/practice. Unfortunately we didn’t get back – outlanded at Lethbridge.  Nice people there, but no come-and-get-it trophy.

The flight: http://www.onlinecontest.org/olc-2.0/gliding/flightinfo.html?dsId=2795367

Totals: 96h29 (51h10 PIC) over 207 flights

December 9th, 2012

Gliding Report

Did nearly four and a half hours in the Janus with John Buchanan on my very first cross country. JB saved me a few times, and I have a few things to learn/practice. On to the Duo Discus tomorrow!

The flight: http://www.onlinecontest.org/olc-2.0/gliding/flightinfo.html?dsId=2794418

Totals: 92h11 (51h10 PIC) over 206 flights

November 18th, 2012

Gliding Report

Today started early with and excellent egg, bacon and tomato breakfast put on bu David Fynmore. There was a bit of a discussion about the days weather, and JB and Alf decided to head off to Raywood to claim the “Come and Get it Trophy” from the NSWGA.

For a day that started out raining, and a predicted top of 19 degrees, it was a more info

surprisingly good day. I managed a quick annual check, and then a conversion flight in the Std Jantar for just over an hour.  I’ve also started to upload flights to SkyLines.

One thing I didn’t achieve today was my DI certificate. The instructor was too keen to go flying.  Oh well, maybe next week.

UPDATE: Alf and JB’s flight back is on OLC

October 20th, 2012

Gliding Status Report

Yesterday I had two flights (only because I launched too early and needed a relight):

Flight 1

Flight 2

Both in the Junior. As you can see, the second flight was much better at 2h55.  In a slightly related note, the Destination Comp on OLC, Geelong Gliding Club is winning (at this point, because the other two clubs have not turned up 🙂

Totals: 84h23 (48h2 PIC)

September 9th, 2012

Gliding Status Report

I know I haven’t done one of these in a while.

I’ve been solo on the winch a while back, but I’m still having trouble with release with a load still on.

Today’s winch launch wasn’t that bad in that respect, but it was still back released under load.

Not entirely sure what is going on.

January 29th, 2012

Gliding airspace data

I’ve started a new project to maintain the airspace and turnpoint data for various gliding programs.

The link to the project site is at http://git.ldjcs.com.au/projects/soaring-exchange. It isn’t much at the moment, but I should be able to work on it in the coming months.

Plans for this project:

Maintain the airspace and turnpoint data.
Create a web-based tool for data extraction.

January 29th, 2012

Gliding Status report

I’ve converted into the LS4a! Yay! I even managed a 64 minute flight my fist go. It flies beautifully.

Here is the OLC for the LS4 flight: Online Contest LS4 Flight

Yesterday, I managed to break the new trim spring in the Junior 🙁

Totals: 63h58 (29h56 PIC) over 171 (45) flights

December 24th, 2011

Gliding Status Report

It has been an extremely long time since I’ve done one of these reports. Never fear, I am still flying. Due to the posting to Adelaide, it has been more sporadic (mainly to maintain currency).

Now that I’m back in Melbourne, I should be able to do more flying. I did my annual check last week, so I’m good for another year. I’ve also started powered flying lessons (more on that later).

Totals: 62h54 (28h52 PIC) over 170 (44) flights.

May 5th, 2008

Gliding Status Report

I know it has been a while. I’ve moved to Adelaide, commuting to Melbourne for the weekends. Haven’t done much flying, except for 3 and a bit hours at Porepunkah.

Totals: 36h28 (10h1 Solo) over 107 (28) flights

December 1st, 2007

Gliding Status Report

Since the last GSR I’ve had 5 flights, 1 solo of 18mins, 2 winch launchs, and two instructional flights.

The instructional flight was interesting as I had my first non-on-purpose spin. Agressive angle of bank, slow thermalling speed, fell out of said thermal with the nose slightly high, slipped alittle, correct with a bit of rudder, and whammo – insta spin. Scared both me and the instructor 🙁

We did some spin trainng after I calmed my nerves down a bit.

I’ve been off with hayfever, so the last three weeks, I haven’t been flying 🙁

Totals: 30h15 (6h44 solo) over 98 (24) flights.

October 7th, 2007

Gliding Status Report

Yay! I’ve done my conversion flight in the SZD-50-3 Puchacz (one step closer to the single seat SZD-51 Junior). Two flights, 13 and 18 minutes.

Totals: 28h23 (6h26 solo) over 93 (23) flights.

September 22nd, 2007

Gliding Status Report

Just one flight today, of 23 minutes in the K13. It looks as though I’ll be in the K13 a while longer, as I haven’t done the requisite number of hours (even though I’ve done the number of flights). I need about 4 more hours in the K13, so I should really only go out on good days.

Even then, I’ll be in the Puchacz, not in the Junior (a bit of a setback, but hey, rules are rules)

Totals: 27h52 (5h55 solo) over 91 (21) flights.