Hurry Up and Wait

Monday, July 26, 2010

Monday's task was cancelled by early afternoon (note clouds and rain in background), but Bill took a tow later and flew within 20k of Szeged for ~an hour with three other gliders. (More pics at http://picasaweb.google.com/wpe2211/wgc2010) . I'll try to post a blog at www.gliderpilot.org (accessible to those registered at the site) as soon as I can borrow a laptop.

This is the largest World Gliding Championships ever. 144 pilots representing 33 countries are here. Former world champs abound. I'm meeting pilots that I've only read about in years and decades past.

The airfield is enormous. Most photos don't begin to capture the scale. It's all grass except for one hard surface runway (16-34). Open class guiders (wingspans from 23 -28 meters) take off from 16-34 and the 15 and 18 meter ships are staged in rows 12 abreast on two wide grass runways to the east of 16-34. A rather quaint control tower sits beside the airfield restaurant. Pilots must call the tower as they approach the field. 

Much of Szeged is beautiful. The people are friendly and hospitable, excellent restaurants abound, and the town oozes Old World charm. Last night after dinner, a group of us from the U. S. Team enjoyed a leisurely stroll through downtown Szeged and alongside the river Tisca.

Attempts at tasking have been frustrated for several days by a slow moving low sitting over Hungary. It appears to be moving slowly eastward, so maybe we'll squeeze in a race on Tuesday. Stay tuned. . .

Rand "NN"