The last two days have had good XC forecasts - but, unfortunately, reality hasn't quite matched the forecasts. Both days have had high winds; not too strong to fly, but strong enough to make XC much harder.
There are lots of places when strongish winds help XC flying. Tow launched flat-land flying is an extreme case; high wind tow launches aren't very difficult, there is no terrain induced turbulence and you can land anywhere. And, of course, the wind can help build distance; even if you are parked under a cloud, you are moving downwind.
Even in the Alps, a talented pilot can use a high wind to his advantage (e.g.
big alpine flight). But I didn't notice anyone thriving in the conditions we've had in St Andre the last two days.
One of the problems here is that LZs are limited; you can't just head where the wind is taking you. Both days, I tended to fall out the back of thermals (the wind pushes you much more than the thermal) and (instead of flying circles) I had to deliberately push into the wind on every turn. Things are much bumpier, especially when you fall below ridge height. And the wind direction was never constant; it changes with the terrain and your altitude. When your tracklog doesn't show circles or ellipses, but instead a sort of wave pattern, you know it has been windy!
Anyway, I've enjoyed the last two days flying, but I hope the winds are less strong tomorrow!
Tracklogs for
yesterday and
today
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