Wellington Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club
Next Meeting: Tuesday 3 June 2008, 7:30 pm @ The Valley Club, 10 Daly St, Lower Hutt (MAP).
Early 80s hang gliding & New Zealand Air Games
A DVD of Super 8 footage by Rob Clarke of hang gliding in the
Wellington area in the early 1980s, and DVDs from the NZ Air
Games will be shown at the 3 June meeting.
Check out www.nzairgames.co.nz
SITEGUIDE
Grant Tatham wants to have an idea of who is interested in a copy of the Wellington area siteguide. Grant has updated all the information to date. The booklet is in A5 format, and lists all the current sites used in the area including description, required conditions, access, owner contact details. Some sites have photos. Also included is maps showing locations. About 30 pages.
Grant is of the opinion that having something like this with you on the day is handy - some sites the newer members won't be aware of, and usually the morning its on at a site, its very difficult (read - too rushed!) to give directions. And also, a percentage of the sites require us to contact the owner - unless you have these on your phone (and can remember the names) it is handy to refer to.
Printing costs have increased from the last time since it was printed - got a couple of prices, best one is $15.50. If you'd like to order, let Grant know by email: tathams@kol.co.nz. If you'd like one asap, include another $1.20 for postage. Otherwise they will be brought along to the August meeting.
Even better - deposit $16.70 in the following account: 38-9001-0962448-01 CE & GR Tatham, include the word "siteguide" and your name. Email Grant that its deposited along with your current address, and he will post them when the printing is completed.
The siteguide is available to club members only.
Kris Ericksen is currently constructing Google Maps of the club's flying sites - the link is password protected. This will be emailed out separately.
Porosimeter
The Club is now the proud co-owner of a porosimeter! Barbara Rooke, the Association Administrator, put in a bid to Pub Charity, and received enough funds for six porosimeters. The Wellington club will share one of these with the Manawatu and Taraniki clubs, with each club holding it for four months of the year (we have it till the end of August). Currently Kris Ericksen has it - give him a bell on 021 116 4558 or email on skf@paradise.net.nz - if you want to test the porosity of your paraglider. (This is a requirement of the annual WOF!)
Weather stations
The Weather Stations page has been updated with links to the Greater Wellington meteorological pages, plus also a couple of other very useful sites - check it out!!
From the archives
The May 2004 club newsletter had a very useful article by Colin
XC Magazine tip
Climb rate decreasing > turn tighter
Climb rate increasing > open up the turn
Climb rate remains constant > circle radius should also remain constant
Tip: When I encounter lift while flying straight I always keep flying straight
until the lift begins to decrease again, then I turn into the wind for my first
circle.
Author: Burki Martens
Book: Thermal Flying Read More
Flights
Flying report from Grant Firth: "Sunday 18 May Grant Tatham and I had a flight at Pukerua Bay.... It was on the strongish side for me and I waited around for the wind to drop off launching at about 4pm, but Grant made a pig of himself in his topless glider and had several hours zooming around the ridge. Here's a pic of him beating up near the zig zag take-off where we launched from."
Email Kris at whgpceditor@backup.net.nz with any news you may have!
Once you have tasted flight, you will walk the earth with your eyes turned forever skyward, for there you have been, and there you long to return" Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
