I set my last student free and she launches her SKY LIFT and heads out to play in the thermals over the Turkey patch. Now is my chance for a quick flight. No opportunity for an xc, not when the students need me back on takeoff in an hours time, but it’s good to get my feet off the ground, to get away from the intense heat and the dust, to have some time by myself.
The small ridge off to the left provides the house thermal, and I start a slow climb towards base. Widening my turns and hunting about, I stumble into a strong core. The vario starts chattering excitedly about the 5 m/s climb. Several clouds have bunched together above me forming a small street running towards the northwest. Straightening out, I climb steadily towards the turn point I used on yesterdays record setting triangle. At 2000m agl the air has cooled sufficiently to become a pleasant 24C and I sympathise with the pilots being retrieved from dusty sauna below. I am not anxious to join them, delightful people that they are, so I decide on another quick triangle. With yesterdays effort still on the GPS it is easy to extend each turn point by a few kilometres, and I will be following the roads – an important factor in this harsh environment.
Round turn point one, straight into another steady climb. The sky is looking good. Fluffy white cumulus are scattered about abundantly and there is ample evidence of thermic activity in the dust, leaves and birds that fill the sky about me. My climbs are fast and regular, but I am very conscious of my commitment to my students. I must be back on takeoff within the hour. At 2500m agl the climb rate drops off. I am near base but don’t have the patience to go all the way. With speed-bar and the upper level south-easterly helping me along the second turn point is looming. Topping up briefly in a rugged little bubble I spot a gaggle of vultures homing in on my thermal. Only one is brave enough to investigate, and he comes close enough to my crisp blue Brontes to have me dragging out my camera, but with all the bouncing around I end up getting it tangled up in the brakes. Best that I just enjoy their company I think.
Out of the thermal, speed-bar around the second turn point, and heading for home. Back down at 1800m now, with a steady northwester pushing me along, the Brontes rocks along at more than 60 km/hr. I radio the students – I will be on takeoff in 10 minutes. Frequent thermals are still bouncing me about, pushing me steadily upwards. There is no longer any need for altitude – I am high enough for a glide straight onto takeoff. Big-ears join the speed-bar. I send SKY a telepathic but very sincere thank you for the split A-risers. My hands would have died and gone to heaven long ago had they needed to pull on the A-lines for this long. Overhead the camp I spiral down and join the crew for a quick drink, then help them back into the sky for more fun.