It was pretty much as Fitz predicted. Strong high climbs (above 10,000) with winds.
Friday was a corker. Mal, George and I were the only starters with Mal doing honours in the tug. What a day. Mal top scored with just under 900k. George started a little later to return with 583k and I had my best ever (by a long margin) at around 830k. I flew Chinchilla, Goodiwindi Warwick with a smaller triangle on return. Mal had a head start and made Miles his first turn point. George did a heroic out and return to Dulacca (somewhere near the NT border I think).
I flew the tug on Saturday so not privy to the conditions upstairs but understand it was pretty tough. I do know that at one stage I had full deflection on the tug just to stop her from tipping over in a thermal off the end of the strip. Erich and Sid in the M200 out the back bunged off as they were tossed so far out of station, recovery was going to be a challenge.
Sunday was very windy and only the hardy (foolish perhaps) launched. Lucky Phil, George, Fitz and me all took our chances. It was one of those days when you wondered what you were doing flying. However I must admit that as the day wore on I actually cherished the experience and am glad that I decided to launch (after much derision from my colleagues when I had threatened to whimp out). Fitz achieved hero status with a monumental 664km in 20-30 knot, gusty, low vis conditions.
South of Chinchilla en route to Goondiwindi
This was the day folks. Climbs to 11,000' and better......
