Another great wave day down at Lake Glenmaggie in Gippsland. NW winds at 25-30 knots with lots of cloud build-upon the N side of the Divide. Entry at 2,800' downwind from Mt Ben Cruachan with moderate rotor turbulence (Lift +15 knots/-12 knots) before that "snap" transition to wave at an initial 10-12 knots.

Moved 25 km cross-wind at 7,000' to Mt Wellington without any height loss then climbed at 4-7 knots to FL180. Spreading cirrostratus, -22 deg C and hoar frost covering the inside of the canopy meant an easy decision to head home. Flight time 2:07.

Later that day, the clouds dried out and some classic lennies stretched as far as you could see to the NE. Too bad I was stuck in a meeting.

The club hosted air cadets from the Shepparton squadron on Saturday. Fun was had by all with GFZ, GCV, WVV online to fly 13 excited air cadets.

These are genuine kilometers, unsullied by any form of electronic logging.

No notably long or fast flights in my antique Glasflugel Kestrel, but plenty of slow ones. 85.5 kph overall for the season, about 5 kph down on last season. No outlandings.

Other individuals did much longer flights and up to 22,000 km over the season, as I recall. Much of this was recorded on the On-Line Contest.

My impression was that the season was sub-standard, mainly due to several unusually severe incursions of moist tropical air from the north; however it turned out that Benalla was perhaps the gliding site least affected.

We were prevented from going more than 200 - 300 km north of Benalla due to weakening conditions on a number of days. The Snowy Mtns. 200 km E of Benalla were out of bounds virtually all season due to persistent moist air coming in from the east coast. West and southerly tracks from Benalla were unaffected.

O and R Narrandera at about 98 kph.

Light NE wind, 26 deg C and cumulus.

A wander east to the foothills, then west to Colbinabbin.

Patchy conditions with cumulus at 6000 ft.

Stable, 31 deg., 15 kt W wind.

A frustrating day with ground convection not connected to higher level cumulus. Weak, confused thermals and extensive dead areas.

Stuck over Corowa airfield 1 1/2 hours.

Slowest flight of the season (46 kph)?

Light NNE wind, 32 deg. C. Isolated thin cu's between Murray R and Goombargana Hill.

90 kph

20 kt NNE wind, 34 deg. C. Good cu's, then heavy cirrus from W that shot a few people down later.

Max 8700 ft. Fairly dead near W W, due to recent rains.

A good run at 110 kph

Heavy cirrus everywhere N of Benalla from decaying Queensland cyclone, but some sunshine to S, with cumulus over the ranges.

Mt. Buller - Marysville. Some shear wave to 9500 N of Buller.

37 deg, lt. N wind, late start with cu's eventually.

A slow trip N to L. Cullival with Laurie McKinlay

Lt W wind, later turning S, 41 deg. C

Cumulus N of latitude of L Urana. Lower cloudbase N of turn point due to trough and recent rain.

Very slow start and v dead around Corowa, where all gliders were on the ground until myself and John Millott showed them the first thermals.

105 kph

Well it was another Saturday ballot battle to get a single seat, and I got Junior which was better than some others that went empty handed. Morning breifing said an early shut off but I thought I might head for Corowa and perhaps Henty. Well I struggled a bit getting away, but soon I was heading towards some Cu's near Corowa with a bit of a tailwind to help me along and hopefully some easier flying out of the blue. Once under the Cu's I found the lift pretty weak, and wasted some time trying to fly cloud to cloud rather than with purpose. So at 2.30 I had been up for about 2 1/2 hours and with the prospect of an early shut off and a head wind in the Junior I decided that even though it was only 20 ks to Henty I had better turn around and head for home. Well as they say, hind sight is 20 - 20 and by the time I reached Corowa I knew that I should have pushed on and made Henty. Got back , no early shut off and although I was happy to have made over 250 in the Junior it would have been far sweeter to have made Henty and maybe a 300. All in all another good flight and glad to have made a good cross country flight in XOB.

Calm, blue and stable day, with tantalizing isolated cu's over the hills that retreated eastwards.

Met up with Bob Nicholls E of Mt. Buffalo, chasing scraps of cu towards Mt. Bogong. We then found a weak convergence marked by cloud from about Cleve Cole Hut on Mt. Bogong all the way across the High Plains to Mt Hotham, gradually climbing 2000 ft above cloudbase to 10,000, where we headed for home. Not a ripple until about half way back at Mt. Emu.

35 deg. C with Cu's to 9000 ft, lowering at turn point due to wet ground and trough. Followed a good dry track via Jerilderie and just W of the Colleambally rice area and the Griffith irrigation.

A good run: 108 kph.

Blue to far W, trough still E of Albury .Good Cu's over the task area.

98 kph

YBLA - Yarrawonga - Henty & return. Great first 300k flight, in the blue until about 40 k's from Henty then some nice Cu's to speed me along to Henty and then part of the way back, before once again back into the blue. Good heights under the Cu's to over 10,000ft. Was a great day for it. Finally have the silver C (and gold now as well), after 2 previous flights to Y/wonga and return but no correct log for GFA. Thanks to John Duffield for letting me use the LS-7 and Max for the route selection etc.

Moderate W wind lower down,increasing to 40 kt at 10,000 ft. Mid level cloud approaching from W ahead of a trough. Isolated cumulus mainly E of Mt. Buffalo. 31 deg. C max. Some Nervous Nellies didn't launch.

I started off E, chasing cumulus that retreated east to beyond the Dartmouth Dam. Conditions were so slow that I tried to get into wave near Mt. Bogong and come home. This failed, as did another attempt just N of Mt. Feathertop, but a working cu. was finally found just N of Mt Hotham which got me to 9400 ft where I could transit into the wave. This was up to 5 kts. Having forgotten the oxygen mask (yet again), I broke off at 14000 ft still in 2 - 3 kts. This allowed a comfortable 100 km final glide to Benalla at 70 kts, despite the ferocious headwind. Two weaker waves were passed en-route.

Moderate SW wind, with cumulus at 4500 starting W of Benalla, increasing to 6500 with some streeting. Generally overcast south of track.

A comfortable run, keeping high and cruising slowly. Several stretches of over-development.

100kph overall.

Over the past few years, I have had some very educational and enjoyable cross country flights with Graham garlick in the Duo. For whatever reason, whenever we fly together it always turns out to be anything other than a routine flight. They are always memorable. Last November during a Cross Country course that was dogged by inclement weather, we made a slow trip up and back to Yarrawonga and having returned to Benalla decided to push on to Bogong. As it turned out, the lift deteriorated in the foot hills and it became clear that Bogong was out of the question. On turning back, it was also clear that a straight glide back to Benalla wasn’t on the cards either. The general landscape was definitely tiger country which tended to focus the mind. There was a usable field and we stayed close to that. We found a hawk in light lift and stayed with it. We spend at least a half hour just going nowhere, and at one stage considered putting the wheel down and calling it a day. But as sometimes happens the lift finally began to work and slowly but surely we climbed out of the hole. This was followed by a wonderful, fast glide back to Benalla where the problem was reversed and there was so much lift that losing height was an issue. A very satisfying long circuit of the town and out over Winton and then into the circuit followed. The flight was very satisfying and showed that persistence, even with light lift, can pay off. Very memorable flight. No records broken, no great height or distance achieved, but much learned. It I always good to have a real feeling of satisfaction after a flight, and that to me is what it’s all about.

Lew

I was first off and released around 2 grand. Then started going down. Oh well, another launch for me I thought, and started to organise myselft for circuit. But then I hit some lift and up I went... and up and up! At around 6k I thought "hm, I might go over here now" (here being out towards Yarra). Then I got even more lift the other side of Mokoan and got to just over 11k! "Bugger me!", I thought. Allowing for 5km every 1000' (since I still have to be in gliding distance back to Benalla), I ventured further over toward Yarra until I saw lake Mulwala. Feeling very happy with myself, yet VERY nervous about being away from the airfield, I thought I should turn around and head back.

I flew over Thoona (which is where I live) and played over my house and took some photos. I then headed back to the airfield, played around with the Juinor doing some tight turns, practicing stalls and speeding her up a bit.

I got back to the airfield with around 5000', went back down to about 3 then climbed up to about 7 again. Played around for a bit then (having to pee) landed.

One very happy chappy.

Thanks heaps to Max for his guidance on the day.

Light N wind at flying heights, light E on the ground, 22 C max with widespread showers and overcast, particularly around Benalla.

A slow trip N to the Colombo Plain, N of L. Urana, just escaping a large patch of overcast at Benalla. Country still very dry N of Urana. Max cloudbase 7500 ft.

Dodged many showers on return trip, noting that the Benalla radio chatter mysteriously ceased for a long time. Almost asked for an aero tow retrieve from Yarrawonga airfield (thanks for standing by, Peter Presneill!), but climbed away in a patch of sunlight eventually.

On landing, the news that Benalla had been shut down for an hour or so due to heavy rain and thunder whilst I was away gave rise to said schadenfreude.

Very slow: 65 kph

My total km. and individual flights were modest by the standards of other Benalla pilots this season.I experienced many days with high cumulus (max 15,000 ft!). 75% of my flights were predominantly under cumulus, with only 2 low spots the whole season. No out-landings.

A season to tell your grand-children about! Many pilots extended their range further into the hill country, some traversing the dividing range south into the Omeo basin and Gippsland and to the east beyond the NSW Snowy Mountains.

Not a great flight, but for me the last one of a really good season at Benalla.

Lt. ESE wind, 30 deg. C. Smoke N and S of track.Cu's to 10,000 ft later.

Dead areas: NE of Buller, Dartmouth Dam, Youngal.

95 kph

Light NW wind, 41 deg. C, with high cumulus all the way. A high, relaxed trip with no low spots. Slow near Mt. K. (as usual), 122 kph overall.

At last my 300km. Lucky for me the Junior was available for me to take for the day. I would have liked a faster carriage but I didn't care, the temp trace hasn't been like this for 10 years! 44deg could give us 16,000'. Well, it was a day for a gold height if not a 300km. The route - Henty, Yarrawonga and back. After one failed attempt to stay in the air (trying to start the baro trace low for the height claim), the second was much better.

Thermalling around the airfield allowed me to see what looked like the DuoDiscus dumping water, but on closer inspection, was actually the tow rope wrapped around both wings! Before I could get a second look, it had already pffft! for its 370km flight. The pilots didn't know it was still there until landing back at the airfield. When I spoke to them later, they thought the rope had fallen off but were glad to be oblivious than knowing and worrying. Their only clue was a poorer performance of the Duo!

I started making my way toward Henty with plenty of opportunities for golden climbs. Neer Peechalba, again the pine plantation was a good source but didn't get me to 12,000. It was also at this point that my electric vario gave erroneous readings which I figure was a weak battery. So I flew on with just the Pneumatic. Now this was truly silent flight and actually very relaxing. Lots of Cu's and 4-6kt'ers and after 5hrs flying, usually at 60kts I landed at 18:30. I hope Beryl will ok my claims.

Late start, then cu's everywhere except to NE. Lt NNW wind, max 42 deg, 12000 max. 114 kph

Another 1000km flight for 2009. Off tow at 11.11am and condidions already good with 6000ft at Corowa hour later along track. Turning points Benalla, Condobolin, Yarrawonga, Deniliquin, Benalla. Maximum altitude 12,000ft. 111kph average speed.

Corowa O&R. This was my first XC flight after being coached by David Conway at the Nationals, which gave me the confidence I needed to really fly away from Benalla. It was a booming day and though I had the intention of flying a 300k, it took me a whole day faffing around with the Mozzie trying to get it watered up. I gave up on that as the day wore on, and finally took off without water. Who cares that I couldn't make the 300k, as long as my feet were in rudder pedals and not on the ground. Initially I climbed to about 7000' before departing. Along the way, 10kt+ thermal over the pine plantation near Peechalba. ! Also a twin engine thing passed me on the left. It was great to employ all I learned from the coaching a fornight before. I made it to Corowa in 45min, thermalled with an eagle at 9000' under cloud before final gliding home. I know it was a short flight but for a newbie XC soarer, it was HUGE!

The Rock, Khancoban retuning via Henty due to shower activity on the mountains. Best hieght 12000ft at Rutherglen on the way home

Blue, S wind, RASP forecast of convergence zone towards Mt Buller (which did not happen)

Launched very early before Nationals pilots

Blew the 100 km opportunity (again) by launching too early and had a re-light after 45 mins trying to stay afloat.

42 deg C, moderate NW wind. Cu's to 13,000 eventually, but only N of The Rock. 117 kph.

A fabulous day!

First 1000km flight for me and the Ventus 2cxt Turnpoints were Benalla, West Wyalong, Rennie, Temora and Benalla. Maximum altitude 13,000ft

Turned short of Cowra at Koorawatha in excelent conditions, 10500ft cloudbase with good Cu.

Turned just short of Cowra at Koorawatha and then back to Benalla via Mt Kosicusko. Max Altitude 11,000ft over the mountains.

Struggle to get away under heavy cirrus of advancing trough

20 kt S wind, max 23 deg C, good cumulus cover S of Benalla, but very sparse to the north.

Explored S of Benalla with Jonathon Walker in his Discus for wave over the Strathbogies, without success. Pushed into wind to just S of Seymour, following clouds over the edge of the hills. 80 kph

Strong SW wind, 26 deg C. Cu's over area flown, blue further N and W. Some good streets. Max 6500, min 4000, 108 kph overall.

Today there was a southerly blowing at the start of the day, which changed to a Southwesterly during the day. The thermals started about 09:30 and RASP predicted that they would be brocken and go to 7000 foot later in the day. In the event they went to 5000 foot.

David Jansen flying his ASG 29 thought he might try a little flight so he launched at 09:27 and landed in Queensland for a straight out 1105kms.

Have a look on the OLC for the trace

Mod SSW wind, 27 deg C max. Very good conditions from Holbrook to Corryong area. Dead areas with cold air intrusions from the south near Mt.Youngal and N of Dartmouth Dam. Max 8500 ft, no low spots, 98 kph overall.

Very strong W wind with heavy and increasing cirrus to the N and W of Benalla, cu's over the hills, 27 deg C max.

Chris towed me downwind to where it was still sunny and working, Benalla being completely dead. It was then a matter of following weak cumulus over the hills and gambling on getting high enough for a final glide back under the cirrus. Max 8500 near Bogong, with some weak shear wave above the cumulus. 83 kph overall, no low spots.

Strong westerly wind with good Q development to the south, but blue at Deniliquin and north of Murray on 3rd and 4th legs. Tricky getting into Deniliquin. A good task for the day with minimal difficulty over the edge of the irrigation area.

A fantastic training flight with Graeme to Mt Buller. Flight uploaded to OLC if you want to see the details.

A fantastic day. Check out the OLC to see details on flights from Benalla for today.

Heavy overcast approaching from N and W associated with a trough. 28 deg C, light Ne wind. It was just possible to fit in a short tour eas to the N end of the Kiewa Valley then W to Peechelba, passing round the S edge of the Albury airspace before it became unsoarable at Benalla. 92 kph overall

Relaxed trip north to Barellan (on rail line, east of Griffith). Fabulous cu's to 11,000 ft eventually, but some high overcast south of Murray R. Easy final glide from Oaklands. Country very green north and east of Narrandera.

110 kph overall without ever exceeding 80 knots!

A beautiful, clear and sunny mild winters day with a light southerly producing the occasional spot of very light wave lift. A few air experience flights flown in gentle smooth conditions.

Clear blue skies, with surprisingly good development over the ranges. Although too stable for cross country, check flights, training and introductory flights were flown with great views due to the good visibility.

Instability following the front must have still been present and produced a fantastic autumn days flying. More single seaters took advantage of the conditions. Early over development right above Benalla slowed things up for half an hour in the middle of the day, but with Cu's everywhere I heard 6500ft was reached, and four single seaters made it to Rennie and Corowa and back.