Latest news June 4, 2006 '' Early mornings '' 9.00 Early mornings for a lot of people involved in this competition. My alarm clock , I forgot mine, is my neighbour ,who also is the director of the comps, Robert. He leaves at 6.55 AM and starts his day. I turn around in my comfortable bed , feel sorry for him and the rest and sleep one more hour.
Yes I know how hectic those early mornings can be. You look first at the weather - the meteo was most probably even earlier out of bed - then you set your task[which one for today ,as you can't fly the same task every day] in the best weather area, you call for a free airspace in the task area if necessary, you look if there are no mistakes on the task sheet as if you have one, the girls/boys have to print 120 plus pages again and then there is time for coffee.I know I even have forgotten things, but it is just to show you how busy staff here is, during the Comps. Also the stewards are mostly early birds as they advise if necessary on the task.
9.30 Just had the most wonderfull Swedish bread , baked in open fire like a pizza. MMmmm....It is called Tunnbrod and it is white and soft. I found out too, that Knackebrod which we all know in the world now, was the dark bread , which they dried hanging on the ceiling in winter period!!! Very interesting!!!
Just had a short look on the open class task and they have to fly a polygon from 410,4 km. with 5 points.
St class has an AAT with 4 areas, task distance 189/431 km.Task time;2.30 hours
15 m. class has an AAT with 4 areas, task distance 308/480 km. Task time;3 hours.
18 m. class has a polygon from 371 km.with 4 points.
Quickly to the briefing now.I hear; " 7 minutes to briefing " here!!Only 6 now!!!Hurry up!!!
10.20 Briefing from the first competition day is over. As usual it was short to the point and accurate. Robert started his briefing with; " Good morning, on this first competition day which we think will be a good day." And yes it looks like that! He reminded pilots and crew that the start gate opens 30 minutes after the last take off in each class and allowed pilots with an engine to start it ONLY after clearance from the field marshall involved, just before start .
The vPos trackers are today in the standard class.
Chief steward Dick annouced the safety committee and " found " 4 experienced pilots with authority in each class.
In St.class Arne Boye-Moller from Denmark.
In 15 m. class Gary Ittner from the USA.
In 18 m. class Patrick Stouffs from Belgium.
In open class Antti Lehto from Finland.
They were admitted by all pilots with applause.
The meteo man said in his final sentence;" A very good day with problems!"
The weather today is very suitable for flying. It is cold and dry [and sunny]. He expects good climbs between 2 and 4 m. per sec. and a cloud base from 1500 m. in the beginning of the day going up to 2500 m.
The conditions will remain good till 7 or even 8 in the evening. The problems might be the alto cumulus later in the day in the task area.
Visibility is more then 50 km and the expectation for tomorrow is ;Good weather but a little {!} bit cold.
Between 2000 and 3000 m . it is between -3 and minus 9 dgr. today .Keep your warm socks on guy's!!!!
We use 05 today , first launch possibly at 11.00 and sunset will be at 21.58.51.
Off to the field now. 05 is a nice walk. All pilots are ready for their first day. Have a good and a safe one!!!!
