To my shock i discovered that the tongue of the glider trailer has cracked.  I am very fortunate that it hadn't completely separated during the drive back from Cordele.

May 11, Practice Day

    Canceled due to weather.

May 12, 

    Canceled due to weather.

May 13, Contest Day 1

    Turn Area Task, Cordele – Tifton – Cordele with a 20 mile radius.  The day started blue, with the thermals averaging 3 to 4 knots and topping off around 4300MSL.  As the day went on a thick layer of cirrus moved in and reduced the lift to about a 1 to 2 knot average on the return trip.  Over 50% of the grid landed out, I managed to come back home after making it to the center of turn point, placing 5th in the Sports class.

May 14, Contest Day 2

    Turn Area Task, Cordele – Fitzgerald – Sylvester – Cordele with a 10 mile radius.   The forecast was bleak and the morning was tough, with thermals averaging 1 to 2 kts and topping off at 4000MSL.  As the day progressed  CU were started developing to the west and the thermal conditions improved to 4 to 6 kts up to 6000MSL.  I managed 94 miles with an average speed of 47mph, again placing 5th on the day and 4th over all.

May 15,

    Canceled due to weather.

May 16,

     Canceled due to weather.

May 17, Contest Day 3

    We have a contest.  All 3 classes have the same task area, Cordele - Tifton - Cordele.  Standard class had an assigned task, while Sports and 15m classes had a 10 mile TAT.  It was a difficult blue day with many gliders landing out.  Again flying in southern Ontario proved to be an advantage as I was able to make it back home.  I came in 12th on the day but still managed a 5th spot in the final standings.

Photos from the contest are available in the 2008 Photo Gallery  

Click here for the final score summary 

After a slow start to the season I'll be competing in the Region V South Contest in the sports category in Cordele, Georgia.  The term "competing" should be used loosely as this is my first contest, non the less it should be a good learning experience.  Maybe I can learn by osmosis while I'm spending a week flying surrounded by experienced competition pilots ;-)

Region V South Contest Website  

DR.Jack's forecast for Cordele

Intelicast 10 Day Forecast for Cordele  

I took XG to Mifflin this weekend.  On the way I stopped at Harris Hill to pick up the LX5000, It was installed on Friday night and Saturday morning.  I had a chance to fly with it Sat afternoon, but there were no thermals and the ridge wasn't working.  After I landed I had a chance to tweak the instruments some more so the ship is ready to go.  When I woke up on Sunday the day looked gloomy and the wind seemed weak.  I launched around noon when Brian (the tow pilot) arrived and flew in some weak thermals.  The LX5000 seems to work really well, and with 6L of water in the tail tank thermalling is easier than ever.  I landed at around 14:00 so that i would have enough time to clean and put away the glider and still get home at a decent time.

On my way down to Miffilin, PA i was able to stop at the National Soaring Museum, Harris Hill, NY.  Click on the photo below to see some pictures i was able to take.  I look forward to visiting again when I have more time to look around.

Here is a link to the NSM home page