Some excellent XC flights again in January, with big altitude gains and long flights, including a crossing of the Pakhuis Pass (last done in 2009, and previously 20 years before that). 

Flight of the Month went to Steve Pelley for his first thermal flight (a big moment for any soaring pilot). This was an exceptional feat considering it was effectively a low save on a small hill (i.e. very, very tricky). Well done Steve! 


 
From Steve:
"I headed out to the hill hoping to catch a decent post-fronta...
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Dec-Jan saw a couple Porterville fly-aways with many long flights over 100km and several pilots breaking their personal bests.  Flight of the Month went to Adam West for a new personal best flight from Dasklip to just short of Van Rhynsdorp. Tracklog can be found here: 


Derigging near Van Rhynsdorp.

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Flight of the month goes to Adam West for an out-and-return flight from Signal Hill to the along the Apostles and back.

"A perfect Signals flight. Challenging to get around the face of Lion's Head, and once up, abundant and smooth lift. Racing under the clouds to the end of the Apostles and back and then meeting up with Eric on the Lion's Head crossing and doing it all again. A sunset landing and a cold beer in Mouille Point topped off a great flight."




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Flight of the month goes to Eric van der Walt for a 48km triangle at Porterville during the Gatskop competition. 

Eric waiting on launch (photo Coral Benn)
 
Eric's tracklog can be found here.

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Flight of the month goes to new pilot, Stefan Nel, for his first soaring flight! Stefan's story below reminds us of the simple joy of flying and how lucky we are to enjoy this incredible sport.

 
Stefan on the ramp at Dasklip

Stefan's story:

The day was almost perfect... A windy Thursday afternoon on Rondebossie at the end of September. Few of us was there, Lennox, Ian, Chris and Steve. Having heard about Steve's awesome soaring flight the week before with an "accidental" top-landing and all, I w...

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Flight(s) of the month went to Ross Hofmeyer for some excellent winter flying at Rondebossie. Although a new HG pilot, Ross has been showing excellent command of a range of skills from light wind launches and spot landings to high wind flights and top landings. Great stuff Ross.

 
Ross just after take off

Ross' story:
I was really fortunate over the last few weeks to get 4 nice flights in at Rondebossie. On 18 June the club held a 'check flight' day to encourage all the members to get their licen...

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The flight of the month went to Adam for a 77km FAI triangle at Dasklip during the March Gatskop competition. An epic day, with huge climbs to over 3000m ASL. The story here:

 
 
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Some good flying this month with several pilots going over 100kms. However, the deserving winner was Grove Steyn for his back-to-back Klawer Flights from Dasklip. Over 130kms two days in a row. Altitude gains of up to 3200m ASL. Fantastic flying. 



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The flight of the month went to Christopher Mellor for his first soaring flight. 45 minutes at Gericke's Point. Video put together by Dick can be seen here. Nice one Christopher!
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