Our three XC pilots from abroad, Geert Belgium, Godvind (or something ...) Norway, and Hendrie from Holland. All made their XC from Onil Reconco, going different ways. They reached 2000 m ASL, a 1000 m climb and left downwind. They landed at different places, with personal bests for some of them.
And also personal best for Ismael who managed to fly 78 km, from Reconco, to Jalanca, Cofrides. Skygod from Caudete.
And again it was the right thing to fly at Reconco on a first day with eastern winds, after a hot day with southwesterlies. It all depends at what time these easterlies kick in.
Best time is early afternoon, then the sun is at its strongest and thermals kick off already bigtime.
But why is it just then so good ? I try to explain.
Southwesterly winds do shape a fantastic XC sky in Alicante, but usually cannot be flown as it is too strong. (see fotos yesterday)
The first day northern, eastern winds kick in under this 'southwesterly sky' is always guaranteeing high cloudbase. Being proven for years. Best flights have been done with this crosswind east on this southern faced mountain. We can profit from lee thermals with this crosswind. Soon after the day gets strong around midday, clouds come in from the east, from the sea this is. It creates a conversion, and cloudstreets are formed.
That is exactly what happened again today.
Hats off for our XC pilots today. They made the decision, as was briefed to only leave the hill when they climbed 600 above take off. They climbed more than that, and flew from cloud to cloud. Formed, again, by this cold air crawling under the warm air from earlier hours in the day.
This is me, nowadays.
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