Wednesday, March 05, 2008

518kms New World Record

In early march I had been watching the weather closely and had just returned home from manilla when a big high pressure system moved in. I could see the potential for a world record attempt from my local flying site Beechmont. On monday and tuesday morning I was up at launch early hoping for the winds to die down but seemed a little windy so I waited. Wednesday morning I knew the winds were not going to be to strong so I set up at 8am which was quite late, but seemed to be arly on this given day. I waited for awhile and then eventually launched just after 9am, 1 hour later than my previous 500km flight. I ridge soared for 20 minutes before getting to cloud base and heading on my way. The first 50kms was quite slow but I thought it might get better so I kept going towards Towoomba. I keep a pretty close eye on my time v;s distance and noticed I was increasing my average speed. The next 75kms I did in 1 hr 15 minutes and was soon crossing the range onto teh flats. It was all blue in front of me and I just took it slow trying to stay in the air. I had wind on my side today which is not always the case and the time was not to bad so I kept going. After some rough light thermals I was nearly at Dalby (220km) mark and it was 1pm. I was south of town and knew it was going to be hard to punch crosswind around the forest to take my normal path. Luckily I had been looking on Google earth planning my new route to Roma which is more of a straight line taking me through the forest. From a distance it looks bad but once you get closer there are landings and plenty of roads so this was nice to know for future flights. I will definately be coming this way again so that I can convert time into more distance. I still had not managed to get any of the wispy clouds which were only at 7500ft. I pretty much just kept flying getting light thermals and drifting with the wind untill the sun was getting lower. I had marty on the ground chasing me and still was not keeping up until just now when I could see him below me at the 430km mark. I knew with the wind on my side it was only a couple of thermals away from the 500km mark. I did some long glides then hit a light thermal about 10kms south of Roma and drifted in this one for over 1o kms before reaching my peak alttitude for the day of 6,500ft agl. I was now at 479kms and figured I had the 500kms so I went on glide into the glarring sun on the horizon. My glide was just amazing and marty was on the ground at the 510km mark telling me I had to make it at least to there. I tucked my arms in pushed on my toes and kept gliding into the sunset. I eventually made it back to the main road just near after the 500km mark and I gave out a big scream of joy. I know after my last flight when I landed at 498kms how painful that was and to know that I was still flying was such a great feeling. This was the best final glide I have ever done Knowing my car is waiting for me just up ahead and that I had just flown past my previous 3 long flights. I spotted Marty on the road and I flew past him and raced him down the straight road doing over 100kph before making a quick turn back into the wind and landing on the middle if the Highway. I touched down no more than 5 metres from the front of my car with a huge smile on my face. For some reason I think Marty had an even bigger smile Knowing that he was a big part in this as he kept me going the whole way even when I would have given up. Not to mention that he did not offer to drive for me I probably would have never even taken off. So big thanks Marty and also to Keith who helps pay for my fuel money on my record attemts. This is an act of kindness and is much appreciated in this small world of hang gliding. The flight took me just under 9 hours I averaged less than 300fpm climbs and never got that high. I am really looking forward to the day when I get everything to line up cause this will take me all the way past Charlevile another 200kms down the road.. Until then fly far fly safe fly moyes...