Day 1 was better and Frank Paynter described the task and the day for you. I was impressed with the way the grid gathered. I saw lots of cooperation among the participants in maneuvering the gliders into launch spots. It is impressive to see 55 gliders lined up for a launch. As I climbed in…
Tag Archive for 2012 US Senior Nationals
March 12 at Seminole – Day 1 of Seniors ‘in the bag’
by Bill Elliott •
Well, we have officially started the 2012 U.S. glider racing season, as Day 1 of the Seniors is in the bag. The call for today was a 3-hr TAT/AAT with 4 turnpoints – two in the south, and two in the north. First turn was Frostproof, 48 miles south-southeast with a 20-mile radius, then 35…
March 11 at Seminole – A Nugget’s View of the Seniors
by Bill Elliott •
Today we gathered Florida’s “liquid sunshine”. We had the scheduled 0945 all pilot’s meeting and received the brief as though we were going to fly. The CD cancelled flight operations about 1100. Although we saw rain, all day, it did not dampen the spirits of those who are here. We all attended the “Welcome Seniors”…
March 10 at Seminole – A Nugget’s View of the Seniors
by Bill Elliott •
As Frank said, this was the first official practice day. It started with the all pilots safety meeting at 0930 as scheduled. This meeting is to get every pilot on the same page as the contest organizers. We were given the basic launch and recovery procedures, as well as weather, general plan for the contest,…
March 10 at Seminole
by Bill Elliott •
Today was the official practice day for the Seniors, and we all trooped to the hangar for the 0930 meeting under low clouds and windy conditions. CD John Good welcomed us all, and laid down some general ground and safety rules in advance of tomorrow’s mandatory safety meeting. He also noted that the time change…
March 9 at Seminole – A Nugget’s View of the Seniors
by Bill Elliott •
Today, Frank did not fly, opting instead to help another glider pilot solve a computer problem. He is also still trying to find the answer to his electrical problem in his micro Castle. That meant that I had to fend for myself in the skies over central Florida. The XC skies forecast for the area…
March 8 at Seminole – A Nugget’s View of the Seniors
by Bill Elliott •
It is a good thing that I came here to learn; because the lessons are coming fast. Note here, that many of the things I call lessons are not necessarily things that I have NO knowledge of, they are just things that I realize I have not given them the attention they deserve. Today is…
March 8 at Seminole
by Bill Elliott •
Today was progged to be a bit weaker than yesterday, with winds still brisk out of the east-southeast. The last few days I have been just flying where the weather looked the best, and not worrying about a task. Today I decided it was time to get into ‘Task’ mode, and a good day to…
March 7 at Seminole – A Nugget’s View of the Seniors
by Bill Elliott •
Today was another learning day. I made no big gaffs but it was a day for some “firsts”. What that means is to experience something for the first time. Frank in TA and I in BZ briefed to launch at the same time and try to fly together. He thought the clouds indicated conditions for…
March 7 at Seminole – a very good (but short!) day
by Bill Elliott •
John Mittell (BZ) and I had a very good, but somewhat short soaring day today. Winds were strong again out of the east-southeast, and by 11 am we had Q’s and streeting visible. Thanks to John prying me away from a geek session with another pilot, we were off the ground a little after noon.…
