HGFA Skysailor Magazine

28 SKY SAILOR July | August 2019 gliders for the first few tows, I then progressed to my XT after two tows. We launched from the dolly in a decent crosswind and experienced rotor off a tree line at the end of the paddock shortly after take-off. It was great to experience different conditions whilst learning. We totalled five tows each on the first day – my arms were wrecked. Tuesday, 2 April Today we progressed to our normal gliders. We were ready to tow at 6:30am. Rain was forecast by 11am. Another five tows each before the dark clouds approached, and a quick pack up and drive back just as the rain arrived. The perfect time to complete the theory. We passed with flying colours. That evening, we talked about the upcoming Dalby HG comp held the following week. Craig, Piers, and Tony had entered and undertook the tow course to fly the comp, with Roger and Keith as drivers. I got talked into joining in to fly the practice days before the comp. My earlier plans had changed. Wednesday, 3 April Conditions were ordinary, yet we all wanted to fly. We decided to head to Beechmont. However, on arrival it was blowing pretty strong. A call to Walt and he came to give us all a briefing and bestow some local knowledge – thank you, Walt. Only Piers and Keith flew, with the rest of us looking on. Both had a half hour flight and top landed amongst the cows, under glares from the bulls in the paddock. Thursday, 4 April Slept in today, then packed my stuff and strapped the gliders back on the ute. After a great time at Canungra Sky Sports, I was now off to Dalby. At Dalby, I set up the tent at the airfield, then headed to the hangar to meet Steve who’d flown the Dragonfly up from Canungra for the comp. I was introduced to Bruce, Billo and numerous others over a few drinks before we all piled into Bruce’s ute for food at the local Chinese takeaway. Friday, 5 April After breakfast, I met up with Tony, Keith and Roger to discuss plans for the day. This was a day I’ll never forget. My total inland flying experience now consisted of one flight. My XC experience still zero. Tony and I discussed a flight path following the Warrego Highway downwind. I was apprehensive about leaving the airfield, I’d never taken off from one place and landed elsewhere, let alone destination unknown. With the two of us on radio together and Keith and Roger in our retrieve vehicle, it was time to get the show on the road. Steve and Bruce had been towing people up for a while and now it was our turn to launch. Tony towed first, I next. The tow went well, I left the dolly smoothly, pushed through the rotor off the hangars and headed up. Steve waved me off at around 2500ft on the upwind side of the airfield. Many things were going through my mind as I pinned off – not all the right things. I fumbled stowing my tow bridles, then zipped up my harness. Now for lift. Turning should have been the first thing I did. As I headed back over my flight path I found lift. Tony came on the radio, he was approaching the top of his climb at 6000ft and would leave very soon. I was only at 3000ft and still climbing. Next call from Tony, “Now leaving the airfield and on glide down the highway.” Slight panic set in. I didn’t want to be left behind on my first XC flight. With 4700ft I left my climb and headed across the airfield hoping to follow Tony. By the time I crossed the fence on the far side of the airfield, I was at 3000ft and listening to my vario drone in sink. Tony was nowhere to be seen. Searching option after option for landing spots as I got lower, when: Beep, beep beep, beep beep – LIFT! I turned and turned and turned some more. My panic abated and I vowed to take this one to the top. I hit cloudbase at 5800ft and set off on glide. I could see the next cloud ahead and aimed at it. Boom, another climb to the top and off again. By now my worries about leaving the airfield were gone. I was high and staying that way. The clouds ahead were forming nicely and a couple of other gliders were travelling the same way. A call from Tony told me he was just passing Macalister (the first town on the highway). I was halfway there, but still high and flying, happy with my progress. I finally flew over Macalister (22km) and on towards Warra. I hadn’t been looking back too much to take in the distance I’d flown, but as I flew over Warra, I’d travelled 42km with no signs Lisa Bradley and Tony Cross Steve McCarthy in the Dragonfly, with Craig Manktelow in the background My Big Inland Adventure