Raynbird Rd site at Narangba

[thevon]

A friend mentioned that yesterday (the day of the strong SE wind) he'd seen some guys launching what looked like gliders out at Raynbird Rd, Narangba. I had to work out that way today so afterwards I deviated over there for a look.

From Oakey Flat Rd, follow Raynbird Rd a couple of km to the powerlines at the top of the big hill. You'll see a huge cleared area devoid of trees on your right and there's plenty of grass around. You can get in via a rough track heading off to the right (north) down along a squiggly ridge which would be the spot to fly from in a SE. There were no "keep out" signs etc and some kids on motorbikes rode thru while we were there. We drove the van a few hundred metres along it.

I don't want to say it's a mind blowing slope, but definitely a site which has potential. The ridge is reasonably high, but the wind might be affected by the undulating country in front of it. The SE wind seemed to be coming up it nicely, and I wished I had a glider to try it out. The ridge has various bowls saddles and valleys but smallish, and it looks a possibly DSable shape - but only a trial run will tell. The top of the ridge may be too wide, and the lift on the front mightn't be strong enough.

Also up the top near the powerlines the hill is much higher and steeper and faces NE to N, so it would be good frontside flying in those conditions.

I'm looking forward to giving it a go!

[kymbo]

That area used to be a very popular four wheel driving spot until they levelled the bush and started handing out hefty fines. I was looking at that slope the last time I was visiting a friend who lives behind there.

There are tresspass sign on that land but none near that hill. Could be an expensive day flying if you where caught but I think they are only after fourbies and trail bikes.

[thevon]

I reckon I'll park at the top and walk in with a plane first, and see if anyone gets upset about the flying.

[felix]

Sounds interesting Andrew and would love to give it a go…..is that the strange hill in the middle of the clearing (sort of looks like ayers rock),off the road near the roundabout. I used to ride motos there and often wondered about it.

Also coming home on the m1 this arvo I noticed another potential site. Think it was the nudgee landfill rejuvenation site or something along those lines. Some nice looking grassed hills surrounded by fences but would be worth a second look and maybe asking for entry permission?

[thevon]

Don't think so Felix - it's quite a way further up the road.

[portfox]

Andy
Sounds like it might be good, and right around the corner from me. I was just looking on google maps, is it past praise mtn rd?
Looks like a quarry or mine at the end of raynbird rd?

Steve

[thevon]

Great SE wind this morn so hmm, keen to fly – but where? Ezza and some others were going to Beechmont, but the energy levels were low and the thought of a long drive not appealing. It was a great wind for direction for DSing the Hump – but I’m going there tomorrow for the Xmas party as well.

Next on the list was Raynbird Rd. I've been keen to see if it’s flyable and maybe DSable in a SE. So headed out, picking up Chris on the way.

Really quite strong wind when we got there and there was lift along the ridge, so that was an important find. Not very strong, and a bit bumpy in parts, but OK. We tossed foamies around for quite a while, trying to find a DSable spot with my beat up Reaper and his un-covered Ozprey.

Our findings were … that the ridge is definitely not DSable. Its too round-topped, and the wind sticks to the ground all the way over the back. No dead air anywhere.

Chris was keen to test out his new 2nd hand Prism. I was very skeptical, as the lift was patchy and the plane big and fragile! But he obviously wasn’t going to go home happy unless the Prism had been airborne. So we worked on the throws for a while then it was time to launch. We got the radio ready on the menu to adjust the elevator-for-spoiler compensation. Lots of nerves but it just took to the sky. Chris was initially surprised by a too-twitchy elevator response and I was glad for the extra bit of lead we’d stuck in the nose for safety – later we added more. The previous owner is a serious F3J competitor and had the CG way back for thermal performance, but it would have been a handful on this slope. It flew well and Chris was soon getting comfortable with it and throwing it around a bit.

Important point – this is a good moldie site in a SE to E. There’s plenty of good soft grass, no trees, and along the top of the ridge since the wind stays laminar you can turn into wind and sometimes float down like a leaf. There’s a nice big bowl/ saddle that you can hook back and forth in, and touch down for a really nice landing on the knoll at the northern end. I had taken the Wizard in case of DS success, not expecting to use it. But once Chris was airborne with the Prism I got the Wizard out there and we flew for an hour or so and did plenty of landings – they were a buzz. We had one near-mid air which gave us both the shakes.

It got better while we were there. The wind moved from SSE to SE which improved the lift a lot, and picked up quite strong at times – I guess maybe 20 – 25kts max, and at times the Wizard was really howling across the ridge and starting to carve it up. Some bumper thermals moved thru regularly so Chris and I got some decent height.

Like all good flying sessions it was hard to leave. Well, I was ready to leave but I always have a smile at the way Chris is always having “one more throw”. I finally got him to come and pack up the Prism, and meanwhile I tossed the Reaper again – and Chris begged for a go. He grabbed the sticks and in no time had it swooping about in a more lively manner than me – his natural flying ability is excellent and great to see. I had to finally shoot him with a tranquilizer dart and pile him into the car or we’d still be there.

All in all a lot of fun.

[jirvin4505]

Thanks for a great report Andrew.

So it looks like I have a slope site only 15 minutes from home - will have to get out and have a look.

Well done on the maiden Chris

cheers jeff

[chamm37]

yer know i think you would have had to do that and drankulise me ae.....that lift was so ausome and the Prism flew so well and the guys at SC were veryimpressed with it aswell...i didnt fky it there but i set it all up on the ground and it attracted alot of people and was realy kool looking even just sitting there ;D The nigt flying was ausome as....The lights on the planes stood out so well and was very effective in the sky....I triedtaking some pics but the camera couldnt pick them up so i will post some pics morrow during the day.... ;D

What was really fun was rying to limbo the planes itwas atually really hard to do it n those winds but i am sure that n more calmer winds like 10*15knots set up on the NE site would work really well and be really kool to do.....For those guys that havnt seen the weasel limbo vid i will oad it on tomorrow for ya and als some pics of the day ;D


Regards,
Chris ;D

[windsock]

Andrew you said 'this is a good moldie site in a SE to E', what about the foamies - still worth it?

I was trying to locate it on Google earth but not sure of the location.

[wag67]

located off Oakey Flat rd narrangba

maps.google.com.au/maps?ie=UTF8&hl=en&ll=-27.182911,152.908294&spn=0.004562,0.009613&t=h&z=17

[thevon]

HI Gerard - when we first got there it was not much chop with the foamies - the wind was too flat, not much lift. The sort of flying you'd do if you were desperate and you were there, but with yesterday's wind direction Pedwell Rd would have been about 100 times better.

But when the wind shifted a bit more East and got stronger, it was pretty good. You would have no worries with the Ozprey, and it would be OK for combat. It's a really nice spot to fly - on a hill in a big paddock, with absolutely no trees around. The moldies tend to cruise about making better use of the lift.

The Google Earth image is old and doesn't show the cleared area. It only got cleared in the last year or so. But if you go out there it sticks out like dogs balls - you won't miss it.

Also worth remembering that the site works well in a NE too, if you fly from up near the road.

The ridge we flew on is much steeper on the west, and I can't help wondering if it would be good in a strong NW - it would be interesting to try.

[mikey100]

Tried out this site today in 15-18kts s-e wind and I have to agree...with my Bee and Noodle, at this wind strength the lift was marginal-Probably because the slope is only about 30 degrees at best. Flew for about an hour, sometimes in great lift, sometimes just fighting to stay aloft. Easy landing place. Would be nice with a true glider as opposed to a slope- soarer. Think the N-E slope, up near the power towers could be fun tho. Think I will stick to SC for the time being.

[felix]

Sounds like the perfect spot for me to finally get the fleagle’s landing profile dialed in, happy days! two flights and two major repairs at sc so far haha.
Got to head up the coast for xmas so might just pop in on the way up.

[portfox]

Yep, the lift varies a little depending on the wind direction, wings and small light slopers are best, but i've flown the Stepp Up and reaper there. reaper not so good.
There is slight thermal activity, if you can stay in one, so the bigger gliders are better for that.
The SE part down further is ok, but you need a rippin SE wind to get anything. Better off at Mt Mee for the SE stuff.
S