Sorry folks. Think you may have seen this one before. Haven't posted much here before. Just experimenting on how to embed some videos I've done over a period. More to come.
Hi XC T. Did this flight 2 years ago in the Trike, (wife on board), and quite a while ago in a Hang Glider, and yes, it is a wonderful flying experience in either, unique to the Northern Australian Gulf. Some have questioned the wisdom of switching off a perfectly functioning Rotax 912, however, when located in the lift band of a huge rotating roll cloud, the heavy 2 seater trike will maintain its altitude very nicely.
It's awesome to have the pilot here that shot this video!! I bet once the engine went quiet, it was a sublime and very stable soaring machine.
How do you exit the wave lift? They often come in sets, or even if they're not visible sets, there will be some wave/rotor upwind, and rotor tends to sink. So, how do you exit down and out and get back to your LZ without crossing under the rear of another wave at some point?
How big is the lift band-- I'm imagining quite fat (wide) to be able to smoothly lift a 912? How deep is it (vertical height)? How high AGL are they (I'm guessing 1 to 2K meters)?
I would guess you towed up in the Hang Glider (like vid of Jonny Durand), no place to foot launch around there it looks like.
So, since they stretch 1,000 Km (621 miles) why is it used to break the HG distance record (472 miles)? I guess they don't last long enough (they'd have to last at least 10 hours?)
These Roll Clouds all vary. No two the same. Base will be usually 400-800 ft but they can top out anywhere between 3000 and 10,000ft depending on the conditions. You are correct. If insufficient moisture exists for condensation to allow a visible cloud, the dry energy will still exist, which makes it a bit like Russian roulette when departing toward the coast early in the morning. It is possible to fly into an invisible vortex of rolling energy. So far no mishaps have occurred, however with the media exposure in recent times and increased number of pilots excited by it, the likelihood of hurt is there. Easy to be lulled into false sense of security by spectacular you tube images, underestimating the forces at work, having said that, an understanding of how it works by talking with seasoned regulars, will help.
Exit is up and over the top of trailing edge. Massive sinking air, but not usually too turbulent. At full revs in 912, have still been sinking out at 800fpm. As we move further away, air stabilizes. If another set approaches, the influence of its lift band will be apparent as we approach. They all fizzle out as sun rises. Uncommon to last more than two hours. Our first hanglider flights were aided by powered foot launch harnesses. OK but in nil wind in the humid air early in morning, need to be able to run like Usaine Bolt to get airborne. Jonny with his Red Bull crew aerotowed from salt flats few k's out of town, but Burketown airstrip in a civilized long stretch of bitumen, better suited for trike departures
Nice video. We went a few weeks before you it seems, September 2011. We had three clouds in 5 days. They are truly one of the most spectacular things we have ever seen. We are going back again this year.
Here's a link to the video we shot, if anyone is interested.
I would also echo Hedgeviews warnings. These things are massive and very, very powerful. Do not take them for granted, and always, always stay out front!
Comments
Sorry folks. Think you may have seen this one before. Haven't posted much here before. Just experimenting on how to embed some videos I've done over a period. More to come.
Hey Hedge, did you do this flight? Way cool. I would really love to see / fly the morning glory-- especially in a hang glider!!
Hi XC T. Did this flight 2 years ago in the Trike, (wife on board), and quite a while ago in a Hang Glider, and yes, it is a wonderful flying experience in either, unique to the Northern Australian Gulf. Some have questioned the wisdom of switching off a perfectly functioning Rotax 912, however, when located in the lift band of a huge rotating roll cloud, the heavy 2 seater trike will maintain its altitude very nicely.
It's awesome to have the pilot here that shot this video!! I bet once the engine went quiet, it was a sublime and very stable soaring machine.
How do you exit the wave lift? They often come in sets, or even if they're not visible sets, there will be some wave/rotor upwind, and rotor tends to sink. So, how do you exit down and out and get back to your LZ without crossing under the rear of another wave at some point?
How big is the lift band-- I'm imagining quite fat (wide) to be able to smoothly lift a 912? How deep is it (vertical height)? How high AGL are they (I'm guessing 1 to 2K meters)?
I would guess you towed up in the Hang Glider (like vid of Jonny Durand), no place to foot launch around there it looks like.
So, since they stretch 1,000 Km (621 miles) why is it used to break the HG distance record (472 miles)? I guess they don't last long enough (they'd have to last at least 10 hours?)
These Roll Clouds all vary. No two the same. Base will be usually 400-800 ft but they can top out anywhere between 3000 and 10,000ft depending on the conditions. You are correct. If insufficient moisture exists for condensation to allow a visible cloud, the dry energy will still exist, which makes it a bit like Russian roulette when departing toward the coast early in the morning. It is possible to fly into an invisible vortex of rolling energy. So far no mishaps have occurred, however with the media exposure in recent times and increased number of pilots excited by it, the likelihood of hurt is there. Easy to be lulled into false sense of security by spectacular you tube images, underestimating the forces at work, having said that, an understanding of how it works by talking with seasoned regulars, will help.
Exit is up and over the top of trailing edge. Massive sinking air, but not usually too turbulent. At full revs in 912, have still been sinking out at 800fpm. As we move further away, air stabilizes. If another set approaches, the influence of its lift band will be apparent as we approach. They all fizzle out as sun rises. Uncommon to last more than two hours. Our first hanglider flights were aided by powered foot launch harnesses. OK but in nil wind in the humid air early in morning, need to be able to run like Usaine Bolt to get airborne. Jonny with his Red Bull crew aerotowed from salt flats few k's out of town, but Burketown airstrip in a civilized long stretch of bitumen, better suited for trike departures
Great flying, but not to be taken for granted.
Nice video. We went a few weeks before you it seems, September 2011. We had three clouds in 5 days. They are truly one of the most spectacular things we have ever seen. We are going back again this year.
Here's a link to the video we shot, if anyone is interested.
I would also echo Hedgeviews warnings. These things are massive and very, very powerful. Do not take them for granted, and always, always stay out front!
Cheers,
Bob