JWGC Contest Day 1

Overnight, the cold front which had been approaching passed through our area bringing with it heavy rains and wind, saturating the ground.  We awoke to much colder temperatures, very low cloud bases and moderate breezes.   Walking through the airfield is like walking on a wet sponge.

The 1030 pilots meeting was delayed until noon, then again delayed to 1300 to see if the conditions would improve such that we could get a flying day in.  The standard class was cancelled, and yet another briefing was scheduled for 1400 for the club class.  Pilots were directed to rig the gliders and be on the grid by 1500.  At the next meeting (I typically attend fewer meetings on a given day at work) the organizers called a turn area task with the minimum distance being approximately 100km, and maximum distance approximately 200km, with a 1.5 hour minimum time.  The task is aligned with many airports and landable fields.  Right now, Boyd is rigging and pushing out to the grid, where the cloud bases are at approximately 1200 ft AGL.  (yikes!). The organizers are determined to take advantage of even the most marginal flying days.

Yesterday, the final practice day ended up being cancelled due to the weak weather.  The field was gridded and the first 9 club class gliders were launched.  As 4 quickly returned to the field, having not been able to find lift sufficient to maintain altitude, the launch was suspended.  The remaining 5 gliders were drifting downwind and just barely maintaining altitude.  Finally, the day was called and the gliders we put away.

The Germans held an excellent opening ceremonies last night in the Market square in Freudenstadt.  I’ll write about that in a separate post.

Writing to you from the dark and cloudy Musbach,

Kathy
US Junior Team Captain