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Springsoaring 2014! printer friendly version
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Jorgen
Captain

Gender: Male
Location: Lund, Sweden
Registered: Apr 2007
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Posts: 833

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Posted Sunday, March 9, 2014 @ 05:34 PM  

The winter of 2013-14 was unusually mild, rainy and windy in Sweden but a highpressure did actually give us some winter weather in January. It was enough to give excellent ice for this years Swedish championship in Skatesailing were incidently yours truly are here seen atthe end of january on his way to win the bronze medal….

But after that the weather has been mild and downright warm. This Sunday was 15-16 degrees Celsius and sunny which is unusual early in March. The wind was a bumpy 12 knot breeze from the south-southwest, it was just too good to pass- I had to make this years Fournierpremiere today! “XST” looked OK during the preflight and fired up on the first blade (I think it helps to use an engine de-humidifier during winter). The neighbours came out to watch me taxi out. The sky was clear as I climbed out and proceeded with the usual patrol- climb to altitude, a loop and a roll, then buzz Pers strip and an honorary circle over my late friend Hans-Unos resting place. The haze was noticeable and there was some thermal activity with a bubbly champagne-like quality: nothing much to center yourself on, but still made you giggle a lot.

Just north of Lund I was getting ready for the next buzz-job when I noticed this years first (and unusually early) pack of cranes! I had been forewarned by a friend who works in the outdoors and had seen single cranes, so I knew they were already en route.

I flew towards them as I frantically fiddled with my iPhone, I had forgot my camera. I started circling them rather indiscreetly and they turned away at first as if to get a better view at a distance.

May the 4s be with you/ Jörgen

[Edit by Jorgen on Sunday, March 9, 2014 @ 06:30 PM]

Jorgen
Captain

Gender: Male
Location: Lund, Sweden
Registered: Apr 2007
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Posts: 833

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Posted Sunday, March 9, 2014 @ 05:38 PM  

I snapped a couple of shots and was utterly surprised to then see them turning in after me! Turn after turn they followed me as if they were dogs on a leash. We had actually stumbled into one of the areas of that bubbly lift but I was trying to take pictures and didn’t try especially hard to center the lift- I knew it wasn’t going to last anyway.

Still they followed me and I got the feeling they might even have recognized me as “that clumsy, petrol smelling bluewhite bird” that marks thermals for a bit of rest after the sea crossing.

Just above the pack you can see the ground being prepared for the “European Spalliation Source” that is being built in Lund- the windmills will be removed. We climbed up to the inversion (visible in the upper right corner of the picture) which was as low as 1000 ft today, but we drifted along their track with the southerly wind. We must have made 10 or more circles together and all the time they followed me in spite of my erratic thermalling.

May the 4s be with you/ Jörgen

Jorgen
Captain

Gender: Male
Location: Lund, Sweden
Registered: Apr 2007
Status: Offline
Posts: 833

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Posted Sunday, March 9, 2014 @ 05:47 PM  

The haze gave a dream-like aura to the meeting as we got higher. We were of course too low for me to shut down the engine which I kept at around 2200 rpm to give close to zero-lift at low speeds. Finally I gave them a good waggle with the wings before I left them to their onward journey. This video clip shows our last circle together and our parting:

http://s840.photobucket.com/albums/zz325/PerPerson30/?action=view&current=IMG_1338_zpsa6f29755.mp4

As usual, the meeting left me with a profound sense of joy. Spring brings things of beauty and hope.

May all Fournieteers and our fellow Earth passengers have a wonderful Fournieryear ahead! And, of course-

May the 4s be with you/ Jörgen

[Edit by Jorgen on Sunday, March 9, 2014 @ 05:53 PM]

Collin
General

Gender: Male
Location: McMinnville. Oregon
Registered: Oct 2006
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Posts: 711

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Posted Monday, March 10, 2014 @ 11:40 PM  

Hi Jörgen,

Thanks for sharing. We changed to day saving last Sunday. Now I have enough daylight to fly after work.

Collin

Markku
Master Sergeant

Gender: Male
Location: Kouvola, Finland, EFWB
Registered: Oct 2006
Status: Offline
Posts: 167

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Posted Tuesday, March 11, 2014 @ 06:48 AM  

Hi Jörgen
Great story again, congratulations for the bronze medal
Markku
Jorgen
Captain

Gender: Male
Location: Lund, Sweden
Registered: Apr 2007
Status: Offline
Posts: 833

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Posted Friday, March 14, 2014 @ 05:33 PM  

Thanks Guys,
I appreciate it and I hope you get lots of "big-air"time yourselves! I dare not ask how you're doing Markku, I know "the last bits" tend to multiply as you move towards the finish of a project. Hang in there and-

May the 4s be with you/ Jörgen

Markku
Master Sergeant

Gender: Male
Location: Kouvola, Finland, EFWB
Registered: Oct 2006
Status: Offline
Posts: 167

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Posted Monday, March 17, 2014 @ 05:45 AM  

Hi Jörgen
It's progressing with small steps towards a complete aircraft, I know the last bits are the most difficult ones.
I will update the project story soon.
Markku
Jorgen
Captain

Gender: Male
Location: Lund, Sweden
Registered: Apr 2007
Status: Offline
Posts: 833

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Posted Saturday, March 22, 2014 @ 05:24 PM  

Glad to hear that Markku- you know what you've got waiting for you!

I met up with another pack of cranes today, after a dogfight with a friend in an autogyro (it was a draw) and a couple of rolls and a buzjob (which upset a pony + rider). The wind was a brisk southerly and the thermals were not very strong (1-2 m/s at the most) with a low cloudbase. I was higher than the cranes when I met them and could see they did not particularly enjoy when I got just above them- it made them break of the thermalling and glide on.

I then did another "No-no"; I was stilla lot higher and dove after them, reaching some 120 mph. When I came down at their level they expertedly turned away in a tight, protective Lufberry circle, secure in the knowledge they can turn much tighter than anyone trying to "pull a fast one" on them. I broke off and saluted them, rocking my wings. They did not seem overly impressed by my fly-by and kept their formation tight throughout the encounter.

I was however impressed as always when I meet these wonderful pilotbud(g)ies. Look at their coordination when they initiate a snappy left turn in close formation to get out of the way of that fat, petrol smelling pterodactyl who seemed to have gone bananas. Mr and Mrs Crane of course has to much style and dignity to complain while in flight, but says Hello to all Fournieteers and a Happy new Fourniyear to all of you!

May the 4's be with you/ Jörgen

Bob Grimstead
Captain

Gender: Male
Location: Perth, Western Australia or West Sussex, England
Registered: Dec 2006
Status: Offline
Posts: 2027

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Posted Saturday, April 12, 2014 @ 08:27 AM  

Hi Jorgen,

Happy springsoaring to you, and thank you very much for your usual excellent post and lovely photos.

Today I Fournicated for the first time in very nearly a whole year.

Just some gentle aerobatics and three touch-and-go landings, but it was wonderful to be in the air in a Fournier again.

Yours, Bob

--------------------
Flying and displaying Fournier RF4Ds VH-HDO and G-AWGN, building replica RF6B G-RFGB and custodian of RF6B prototype F-BPXV

Jorgen
Captain

Gender: Male
Location: Lund, Sweden
Registered: Apr 2007
Status: Offline
Posts: 833

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Posted Saturday, April 12, 2014 @ 06:09 PM  

Bob,
so glad to hear that! I suppose you had the Blue Angel up for a spin and upside down? I wish you lots and lots of Happy Fournication and I would so much like to take Sofi on my lap to watch another Red Hawk video soon.

Best Regards and May the 4's be with you/ Jörgen

Bob Grimstead
Captain

Gender: Male
Location: Perth, Western Australia or West Sussex, England
Registered: Dec 2006
Status: Offline
Posts: 2027

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Posted Wednesday, April 16, 2014 @ 09:05 AM  

Thank you Jorgen,

2013 was a rough year for us, but now things are coming good again.

Some spins today plus some GoPro footage.

One day I shall be able to edit all this footage into something watchable.

Have a great flying summer, and please give big hugs to Sofi.

Yours, Bob

--------------------
Flying and displaying Fournier RF4Ds VH-HDO and G-AWGN, building replica RF6B G-RFGB and custodian of RF6B prototype F-BPXV

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