Smooth Sailing at Shelar

On Saturday I went flying after an entire month and a half. I could not wait to get up in the air and was hoping for good conditions. We got there early and after some ground handling walked up to takeoff. Due to the cross wind  pilots had to take off, make their way  in tail wind to the venturi and the little  SW. facing ridge  left of takeoff to gain height. The wind being quite strong people were able to gain enough height in this area and fly over the cliff and once at the upper cliff level the sky was all lift.

 There were many pilots at takeoff and things were going slow as we had to give each one a chance to gain height. I dallied a while at takeoff and when I did get connected the wind had started to play up- on and off it went and I thought ‘oh oh! It is going to be a top to bottom for me today‘

I looked up to see all the other gliders soaring high over the cliff behind takeoff.  As soon as  the opportunity presented itself  – I inflated , ran hard, and flew straight to the venturii With a few tight figure of eights I was soaring high –  Once I got up it did not take much to stay up –  it was easy lift and super smooth  conditions and we all sailed along effortlessly.

After an amazing dreamy flight I landed a happy woman ready to head back to the city on Sunday morning.  Sinchan, Soren, Kunal and Ashwin who shared the air with me that day were all hoping the weather would do a repeat performance on Sunday. They reported to me that conditions changed and what was ‘maska i.e super smooth on Saturday turned boom boom on Sunday.  Well J – that’s what the weather has a reputation for doesn’t it?

Peace Bliss & Happy Landings

Astrid Rao