Winery Winching

[thevon]

Had a good day thermal winching at the Winery near Kilcoy yesterday. Sean has already written a report on his Orca's first winch launches.

There was Jeff, Ken, Sean, Shane, young Chris and I took a mate also called Chris along for a look - and he also had a couple more lessons on Jeff's Easy Star electric, using buddy cabled Cockpit MPX's (highly recommended system).

It was pretty windy, making the flying more intense for everyone - and the position of the sun couldn't have been worse for the launches. Still, there was no carnage and it was a great day.

There was nearly carnage when Shane got his Caracho caught in the line on the dive after he popped off the hook - and he skillfully got it well down before it got pulled by the line and went down from about 10 metres. It could have been bad, but it went nose-in to soft mud around the dam! What luck.

I got to have my first winch launches with the Espada RL, and was very impressed. My mate Chris has just emailed these pics, so I'll post them here.


Preparing for launching the Orca


Orca going up - Sean blocking the sun with the tranny.



Shane hooking on the Fazo for AvB


Get a life you guys.



Ready! Me too! No, I mean I'm ready. Are you? Yes, I already said that. Are you ready?



WAIT! Shhhhh! I think someone's trying to photograph us!



Fazo being shadowed by an eagle



Fazo coming in gently



Fazo trying to land on spot



Sean bringing the Orca in



Espada launch

[nick]

wow andrew

tell your mate for me great photos, wish i was there, im sure after the season i will be a regular monday winching, can't wait

see ya regards nick

[chamm37]

Yer it was a really good day and thanks to Ken for taking me there and back home and looking after me and thanks to everyone else for a great day ;D


Regards,
Chris

[jirvin4505]

Yes it was a friendly day.

Bit disappointed with my thermaling. Not many 10minute flights

Sean's Orca was impressive in the launch and working the low level lift.

Andrews Espada is a going to be a monster on a quiet day!!!

Launching into a steady breeze was a treat - some adjustments on the tow hook had the E2k stretching the line ;D ;D

I was a little distracted as I had the kids with me (cricket and yabbying!) plus Le Tour left me a little sleep deprived.









Thanks Lads had a great time...

cheers Jeff

[mikey100]

Sounds like a gr8 day was had by all. Chris, good to see you have the Prism together again...how did it fly?

[chamm37]

Yer it was flying pretty good but still need to do all the fine tunning to it before it is really good ;D Landing need some work as i need to get alot more practice up with the Prisim as only had a couple inside 1 landings and a couple inside 2 landings but saying that tho i was all so getting way off the mark landings and nearly taking a body part of my body off landings

Basically it is flying good and is turning pretty well and just need to work on the landings ;D

[jase]

Sean, that new Orca of yours is an absolute monster compared to the other planes in that pic. i bet it flys as well as it looks