HGFA Skysailor Magazine

SKY SAILOR 11 May | June 2019 It is only been the last couple of years that I have been interested in XC flying, after Dan Conrad from WA somehow convinced me it is a good idea – although some days I have cursed him as I sat stranded on some isolated road in the heat and dust hoping to hitch a ride after a failed XC! I wake in my cabin at dawn and take a look outside to see a large kangaroo munching on the lawn. He gives me a lazy look and keeps munching. As I sit having breakfast, I am not alone long as the curious emu come to say ‘Hello’, followed a bit later by a couple of blue wrens looking for last night’s tiny insect victims of the light over the table, and a baby magpie crying for its breakfast. On my second day, the nominated direction is toward Boggabri Gap which I am unhappy about because while there is some traffic on the road, much of it is mine workers in company vehicles who are not allowed to pick you up. Previously, I have never passed Boggabri, so didn’t feel very confident although I have studied the route to Wee Waa. Launching was a non event and my first climb took me to cloudbase. Looking toward Boggabri Gap, I could see sufficient clouds to allow me to stitch a flight together to the Gap. Some time later, crossing over the rocky hills to the north of the Gap, my trusty Iota 1 and I were buffeted by lumps of lift coming from the numerous rocky spires below. All good, I was going up – I had crossed the first hurdle. Soon, I pass the Maules Creek mine and could see the road to Narrabri ahead with large and small dust devils evident pretty well spread out over the plains. Just as I am relaxing in a smooth glide, we are hit hard without warning with a large asymmetric! I allowed the glider to dive, then pumped it out and spiralled away from whatever there was, feeling a little shaken. I flew away from that spot before returning to my course a little lower to find another climb. Determined to go far, I fly high and stay high, going slow and steady, including only one low save at around 90 metres. Totally fascinated to see the Pilliga and the flatlands this way, I soon found myself focusing on the incredible view not my flying. After passing Narrabri, I went on to the black soil plains by mostly dolphin flying towards Wee Waa at 46km/h. I saw a factory with a couple cars leaving it, so tired after six hours flying, I decided to land – a good decision it seemed when a lady from the factory – which turned out to be a CSIRO station – stopped to see if I am okay She then facebooks the station to expect me at the gate when the farmer who owns the land turns up and gives me a lift to the gate. Another car later, I am delivered to Narrabri. It is late and I am exhausted so ask a taxi driver where to stay and he points me to a B&B run by a man called ‘Spider’. The building used to be a pub with an amazing wooden staircase and stained glass windows, the room had airconditioning – heavenly! Tired as I was, I manage to walk across the road and have celebratory schooner. I book the train by phone and soon fall asleep. After a continental breakfast, I stroll to the station glowing with enthusiasm at having done a PB of 121km, but still feeling worn, the Countrylink Explorer arrives and begins the journey back to Manilla via Boggabri, Gunnedah and Werris Creek. This train travels through areas I have flown over and landed in many times in my hang gliding days and I try to identify the Breeza Plains where my wife, Gail, used to tow me up many years ago. After a full day’s travel I lie sleepless in my cabin thinking of the preceding day’s events, every moment etched in my mind never to be forgotten. For now at least I can call myself a proper XC pilot, but now I also know it is not about the numbers, but the adventure that comes with it. Top: The cotton fields near Wee Waa. Above: The rail coach Photos: Greg Holbut