Flytec Race and Rally 2012

As we roll out of Americus, Georgia, I am finally figuring out how to blog from my phone. The final scores are here http://dl.dropbox.com/u/26822852/R%26R/FlexOverall.html

Ready to Rally at Quest

The weather was a challenge this year. The task committee still set good tasks. Flying into strong headwinds isn't the best way to make distance toward Lookout, or have fun enjoyable flights, so the first few days we flew tasks in Northern Florida to keep us in the good weather.

Good times at the "Out of Control" Bar.

The scores really changed up day by day. I found the lift hard to read this year. But I don't have any good excuses ;) - maybe I didn't give my glider some attention it may have needed... I also messed with my instrument setup too. All my own doing...

Staged and ready to go

The meet this year was incredibly well organized. There were close to 70 pilots. And the tugs and crew. That's a lot of work to wing it. And from my perspective things ran very smoothly.

Tricky Task 4

One thing I was initially dubious about was the ordered launch. And I was not alone in that sentiment. But actually that was the smoothest most fair and efficient system I've experienced. It works like this... There's and open window where anyone can get in a launch line. And if your on a cart by the end of the open window, you get to go. But once the ordered launch starts you go in order. If you are not ready then to the back of the line you go. And it works great. Pilots that want to go are motivated to be ready.

Konrad walking out.

So a huge thanks to Jamie. Davis. The tug pilot team. Very privileged to have very experienced pilots. Kraig and of course our driver extraordinaire Mike.

Raul landing

And now we head west through Alabama.

Davis presents the awards

Florida Ridge 2012

Was a great meet, it takes more than good weather, but it only takes bad weather to spoil it. We ended up with 6 good days out of 7. Which is very pleasing, flying about 18.5 hrs for the week, and covering about 607kms or 370Miles.

Being on the task commitee with Derek and Zac, we got quite lucky with the task calls, weaving between overdevelopement and overcast areas.

 Here's Eric hooking me up.

 Pinning off at the end of the tow.

 Some nice Floridian cloud streets.

climbing over Lakeland.

 Lake Placid.

 The lead gaggle on task 5.

 Gliding into goal at Florida Ridge.

 Didn't quite make goal on task6,

Overall a pretty good performance, here are the final results.
Final results 2012

day2 Florida Ridge Meet

Fun so far. here we are task 2 on monday at goal. After a tricky last leg into goal to keep things interesting.

Wolfie schwooping in for a landing.

Results here : http://soaringspot.com/2012rk/results/flex/total/day2.html

Some great coastal flying

A fickle site that sometimes really shares its picturesque magic.

I think we had 5 gliders in the air at one time. An unusual event !

The view doesn't get old and is spectacular from every altitude.

And every angle.

Nice way to end the week.