Oz Report

Fri, Jun 29 2018, 8:09:05 am MDT

East Dallas

Refugio 2018

Jon "Jonny" Durand jnr|Refugio 2018

Larry «Larry» writes:

The airport was fogged for the mosquitoes this morning. I set up at 7:30 and went for breakfast. The skew T showed the streeting wouldn’t get above 2000’ until after 10:00 but we all took off earlier as the clouds looked so good. There was more moisture in the air and a few drops of rain in the area early.

The tows and climbs were good and everyone stuck. Jonny and Mick got out in front early and were doing quite well. They were headed toward East Dallas for a 500km attempt. Glen and Robin were doing the same task. I elected to pick Mineral Wells as my 500 km goal on the west side of Fort Worth as the terrain is naturally drier that and when I plotted out a route to East Dallas on XC Skies it showed the day ending early and the top of the lift not being as high as in the west.

The winds were supposed to be a little stronger today, 10-15mph and they were but base was low for a long time so all of the pilots elected to land early and get rested for tomorrow. Jonny, who spent 80% of his time gliding in the first hour and a half below 3000’ was able to pull away in his Gecko and spun it down at Lexington for 250km. I did the same on my T2C at Bastrop for 215km. Mick was out there too but not sure where he ended up. Robin and Glen did as well at Shiner. The day was just turning on when we landed however we know that tomorrow brings stronger wind and better climbs early.

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June 28, 2018, 12:44:59 pm MDT GMT-0600

Refugio day two

Gecko versus topless

Jon "Jonny" Durand jnr|Refugio 2018

Audray Luck sends:

So far the Gecko is keeping up with Mick on the Litespeed pretty well. I've got eyes on both of them and we are two and a half hours into the flight..

Turns out Jonny got the furthest of anyone today, flying the Gecko.

About 160 miles almost straight north from Refugio, Texas to Lexington, Texas, a little east of Austin.

June 27, 2018, 4:06:21 pm MDT

Refugio day one

Cross Country Camp in Texas

Greg Dinauer|Gregg "Kim" Ludwig|Jon "Jonny" Durand jnr|Larry Bunner|Refugio 2018|Rohan Taylor|video

Gregg Ludwig <<gregg.ludwig.cfi>> writes:

Day one of the Refugio Cross Country camp scheduled for Monday June 25, was rescheduled to Wednesday, the 27^th. It’s been dry for several days but last week this area received about 10” of rain so we delayed arrival a couple of days. Lots of mosquitoes which may be a problem that we have to evaluate. Don’t want to land out after a nice flight only to be eaten alive. Hopeful the mosquitoes will not be as active during the afternoon.

Aerotowed between 11 AM and 1 PM.. Everybody got away. Larry Bunner, Greg Dinauer, Tyson,  Mick Howard, Nate x2, Rich, and Jonny Durand. Thick mosquitoes all day. Kimberly got hit hard by mosquitoes working the flight line. Southeast winds about 15 mph.

If anyone lands out but nearby the mosquitoes will get them. Mick thinks it will get better further down the course line, mosquitoes that is. Rich popped a weak link when I gave it the gas, he may have been ill advised.

John Durand video: https://www.instagram.com/p/BkixEUYBweP/?igshid=15ghdxnssgkgd&utm_source=fb_www_attr

Larry Bunner writes:

We had a good practice day. Refugio is very wet after the tropical depression from last week. As a result it is mosquito haven at the airport. Copious amounts of chemical are needed just to set up your glider. Just 15 miles to the north it is much drier with little standing water.

We all got off under good streets in moderate south winds 10-15 mph and stuck. Interestingly there were no clouds in Zapata today because of the south winds. Base was initially 2700’ and rose through the day as we headed north to 5400’+ and climbs over 700fpm.

I towed first and had a pleasant connect the dots flight to New Braunfels. Nathan Wreyford wound it down at San Marcos and Tyson Taylor did the same near Bastrop all well over 100 miles.

I’m not sure where Jonny (Gecko) and Mick ended up but they were keen on getting back early to be ready for tomorrow. Robin and Mick are here to fly tomorrow. We expect more wind as the week progresses and better conditions as things dry out.