Posted Saturday, March 28, 2009 @ 06:01 PM
Hi Fellow Fournieteers,
Spring is beginning to show here in Sweden, and for you Guys who live in places were seasons are similar all year around let me tell you it feels good when you thermal over that same lake you did ice skating on just three weeks earlier. The sun keeps pushing up flowers and warmer air blows in from the southwest, bringing all sorts of migratory birds. I think the most spectacular of these are the cranes, big birds (3-4 ft standing, wingspan 6-7 ft)who migrate in packs preferably using thermals and I always feel their loud calls are meant for me, as if they are yelling “-Get out of hibernation you lazy sod, the thermals have started kicking!!”
Last year I had a nice encounter with Mr and Mrs Crane homeward bound after their winter vacation in the sun (see “Flying- Springsoaring” thread). This year Mr and Mrs Crane travelled in a 40+ pack! I was just going for a spin, checking the RF 4 after the winter. Going south against a moderate southerly 10 kt wind I climbed to appropriate height and did a couple of rolls and loops just to greet spring, sort of. After a stall turn (actually to the left) I recovered into a substantial thermal and started curving it, engine at about 2200 rpm (which at 55 mph IAS gives about 0 sink in XST) to determine how strong the lift was. All over sudden I was surrounded by cranes! I extended my curve a bit to get a better look at them, they sure look pretty in the air and have a remarkable formation discipline as they exploit the lift. They didn’t seem to bother much about my presence, I got the impression they regarded me as a clumpsy cow or something, not dangerous- just cumbersome and awkward. They just sort of kept an eye on me but stayed in the same thermal. After a while we parted and I waggled my wings to salute. I can´t really tell whether they waggled back or just flapped. On my way home after my mission for today (buzzing a friends airfield) I met a couple of other packs before I got home and landed in the 12 kt, 90 degrees crosswind which gave me another opportunity to use all the controls at the same time.
After shutting down and opening the canopy I just sat there for a long time, savouring the moment and all impressions. Don´t you just pity all the others out there that never get to experience all this?
Take 5(b) just 4 fun/ Jörgen
P.S. Excuse the crappy pics, but my phone just isn´t a proper camera. Mr and Mrs Crane sends their best, so get your wings out and "slip the surly bonds of Earth" D.S.
[Edit by Jorgen on Saturday, March 28, 2009 @ 07:17 PM]
[Edit by Jorgen on Sunday, March 29, 2009 @ 07:54 AM]
