Gliding in Liberec: Rana rally 2002
The weather was typical for this year. We experienced all four seasons pass but only didn't get that much of snow. The hot days were substituted by the colder ones. But anyway, the nights were warm enough for comfortable sleeping...well except for two that is...not mentioning enough of company that enjoyed especially singing all through the night. Thunderstorms were no exceptions. The first one that passed didn't forget to show its power. Couple of lightning hit the hill and one managed to strike Ponorka (Submarine), the local pub. The el. power went out but that did not bother the local guest, so they waited for better times in the dark. Since our camp was on a argillaceous base our tents were surrounded by cute little lakes after the first shower. These little lakes were not as cute for those that found them also in their tents. As for high winds, well...we also experienced holding on to our tents and even some small damages occurred. But in general the weather was pretty friendly except for these two minor mishaps.
We spent the first week on the Eastern side of the hill. The lazier ones just took a few meter walk to the little meadow under the camp and the less lazy ones made their way up the hill over the quarry. We even used the Northern side a few times, at the old camp site. We spent the second week mostly in the saddle on the Western side or in front of the 'Small Bump' for Southern winds. Conditions were good for flying every day. The first week was good and comfortable for flying regular planes and the second one was more busy, especially with combat 'rubber/foam' wings, thanks to our Prague colleagues arrival. If you can't beat them, join them. It was also much safer for your regular plane and it did not bother us that much. But there was enough space for everyone and everything, even of a little bit of DS'ing. But even during DS'ing the hill does not get out of your way, Vasek Blaha found that out himself, unfortunately.
But during these two weeks a 70th anniversary celebration of the local Rana aeroclub took place. Old time Czech gliders like Lunak, Orlik, Vega, Sohaj, Galanka, Blanik, Kmotr or Pionyr were being shown on the airfield. The celebration ended with Saturday's air show. Since the real, actual size gliders used the slope as well, it was an unforgettable experience to be on top of the hill and watch 8 planes flying so close and hear them swish practically in front of you.
But nevertheless, same as last year, we were being attacked by ants from all quarters. They were everywhere and in everything! Even in our butter! But it was us that invaded their territory so we had no choice, but to get used to their curiosity.
According to the flight table, 93 pilots came this year.I think the camp was successful and I hope that everybody will remember this year the same way.
Number of used channels
| 2 - 1 | 50 - 2 | 60 - 4 | 70 - 6 | 80 - 8 | 88 - 3 |
| 9 - 1 | 51 - 3 | 61 - 8 | 71 - 6 | 35.210 - 1 | 89 - 1 |
| 52 - 1 | 62 - 4 | 72 - 4 | 35.220 - 1 | 90 - 2 | |
| 53 - 4 | 63 - 6 | 73 - 6 | 81 - 2 | 91 - 1 | |
| 54 - 0 | 64 - 4 | 74 - 6 | 82 - 0 | 92 - 1 | |
| 55 - 1 | 65 - 9 | 75 - 5 | 83 - 1 | ||
| 56 - 2 | 66 - 2 | 76 - 9 | 84 - 1 | ||
| 57 - 2 | 67 - 4 | 77 - 4 | 85 - 1 | 185 - 1 | |
| 58 - 2 | 68 - 7 | 78 - 9 | 86 - 1 | 187 - 1 | |
| 59 - 1 | 69 - 3 | 79 - 6 | 87 - 1 | 188 - 1 |
Galerie
