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RAFGSA Expedition to Sisteron in the French Alps Apr 25th - May 11th .
Daily news, pictures and reports to follow!
Friday May 9th - Phil took off relatively early to park 261 up for the Overseas Nationals in Ocana, and flew well to reach Perpignan in the face of an oncoming frontal system. Back at Sisteron, Andy & Luke were the pioneers to take a launch at 1510 in a Club Duo, F-CHTD, around the local bowl of the Durance valley; Nick and Ed followed shortly after on a similar flight profile in 16. Landings were relatively early in order to de-rig, clear bills at the 'Janus' and AeroClub Sisteron for an early departure the following day.
Thursday May 8th - A good day with cloudbase up at 12,000ft in the Ecrins, however we had two complete 'waves' today with Phil taking over from Andy in 261, Richie and Nick taking BJ from Luke & Paul, and Geoff flying 16 after Dave.
Wednesday May 7th - A better day, with some good runs north and south, but all eclipsed by Ed and Tristan, the Club CFI, launching at 1630 in a Club Duo and doing Mont Blanc out-&-return!!
Tuesday May 6th - After yesterday afternoon's/ evening's thunderstorms the cloudbase was 20ft above the valley floor this morning, but Phil, a bit like a Labour Party spokesman after the local election results, pronounced that the local weather forecast was good, as it indicated the met would be similar, though not the same, as yesterday! 16 was rigged after the Club's formal briefing, but storms are forecast 'on the relief' and we await the cloud burning off and base lifting to a reasonable level - at the same time as looking out for storm development...
Well, the Phil was right in a sense - the weather did clear up with late launches (after 2pm) enabling the aircraft to climb up to cloudbase at about 7,000ft. Phil took Paul around the local ridges, Andy toured the local bowl a few times and Nick & Ed took 16 local as well.
Monday May 5th - Phil had a good flight north via the Parcourt, Briancon, Col du Galibier, Alpes D'Huez, Grenoble, Chartreuse, Vercourt, Mont Ventoux, to the Vinon area where he 'parked' while thunderstorms eventually surrounded Sisteron from all but the North-East, and he eventually worked his way through light rain to land after 1900 local. Luke took BJ and Jeff into the Ecrins for some inspiration, which he thoroughly enjoyed. Ski flew Andy around in 16, demonstrating the former's prowess on aerotow, circuits and landing, and a bewildering display of thermalling skills (well, they bewildered Andy anyway). The thunderstorms that kept Phil at bay for so long meant there was no second 'wave' of flights this day.
Sunday May 4th - Another good day, though it ended early with thunderstorms sweeping across the Airfield. This late local weather did not, of course, stop Luke in 261 reaching Mont Blanc and enjoying some spectacular flying around it. Richie introduced Ed Wright to BJ and the local mountains (and some not so local) while Nick did the same in 16 for Paul Bailey, who really enjoyed the run up the Parcourt. Before the thunderstorms hit Sisteron, Andy and Ski took BJ for a short but eventful flight - the rain/ thunderstorms providing the input for Ski's sound decision making about returning to the Airfield early. On 16's return, Dave took Geoff for a couple of local instructional trips, though the second was somewhat shorter and more local than the first!
Saturday May 3rd - Phil and Olly Peters left in the early hours, flying back to the UK. Rob is also heading back later in the day. The K21 is also heading home, Tom and Ollie C driving her later this evening. Conditions again looked good, more later. Olly.
A good day in the Alpes Maritimes with wave and high cloudbases, however the wave seriously interferred with the thermodynamics and improved or destroyed thermal development. The wave was sufficiently strong to more than stop certain south/ south-west facing mountain-sides from working - this was quite exciting (and almost embarassing) for Andy in 261 when he went for some height on a south-westerly slope out to the south-east of Mont Blanc, only to find the opposite in spades! Richie took Ski for a nice jaunt around in BJ, while Bill Malpas provided Dave with some sage advice on navigating north into the Ecrins and safely extending his range from base. After Bill and Dave's return there was sufficient time for Nick to introduce Geoff to the local mountains - with them making the most of it by landing just before 8pm.
Friday May 2nd - Another great day with good conditions. A few training sorties around the local area for some of the new members of the expedition. Nick and Bill Malpas had a good day to the north. Phil took advantage of the good conditions to the south to head there first before turning north and going all the way to Chambery. On the way home and with a cold soaked engine battery Phil suffered from an engine that was rather more than reticent to start and had to land in a field. No damage to glider or pilot. The retrieve crew left swiftly from Sisteron, returning late that evening. Phil kindly bought the beers on Saturday night!
Members of the expedition are still wrestling with the French Twin Disaster TA. But at least this twin seater does have an air vent on the instrument combing, a big help to Ollie 'Cabriolet' Chubbock!
Thursday May 1st - Good weather is forecast. Bill Malpas (a mountain soaring expert or Yoda of the alps) has arrived to pass on some of his invaluable knowledge about the conditions and techniques to flying in the French hills. The gliders are rigged and we now have use of a Twin Astir to replace our damaged K21.
Wednesday Apr 30th - The weather forecast is rubbish! Rain is already on us as a cold front moves through the area. The k21 canopy has been recovered from the Le Gash. Its still raining... More pics from yesterday:
  
Tuesday Apr 29th - Excellent weather today after the rain of yesterday! The fleet has launched!
  
Excellent conditions for the full day, however mainly thermal instead of valley breeze. Better in the south, which is where G-LIVS and 221 (Pete Stratton) headed, the Vinon area. Cloud bases up at 9000ft towards Gap and around 10,000 plus over the Pic De Bure. We did however lose a K21 canopy in flight, the aircraft landed safely with both pilots unhurt.
Monday Apr 28th - Weather is not looking good today... A front is moving through the area, so here are a few piccys of the last few days from Halton exped members Neil and Derek.
  
  
Sunday Apr 27th - Our first day of flying out here at Sisteron. A good day was had by all. Terry Akerman pitched up with his little twin aircraft, a "CriCri" and had fun flying round the alps. The Army has also arrived with a somewhat well defended DG1000. Pictures below...
  
Andy - ASH 26 - 4hrs - Pic De Bure/Grenoble
Dave/Rob - K21 - 3hrs - Tour of the Bowl
Dave/Olly C - Janus 16 - 3hrs - Tour of the Bowl
Phil/Ski - K21 - 2hrs - Round the Bowl, West and South
Phil/Nick - Janus 16 - 2.40hrs
Luke/Tom - Janus 16 3hrs - Bowl tour and Pic De Bure 9000ft
Richie/Olly P - Janus BJ - 3hrs - Bowl and West/South
Haltons P10 with Neil did 5hrs flying around the bowl, Lure and Pic De Bure.
Saturday Apr 26th - We have arrived at Sisteron! Its 14:00 and the weather is good, those that have been able to battle through the paper work this afternoon are all set to go flying. All the gliders are now rigged and the accommodation, shopping and vehicles are in hand. G-LIVS and PIO have been flying since mid day, more up dates later.
  
Friday Apr 25th -
We departed for Dover in the early hours of Friday morning and board the P&O 08:30 Ferry to the French mainland.
  
10 hours driving and 500miles later we arrives in the town Beaune (20km south of Dijon) for a night stop. The weather on the drive has been glorious today with reports coming back from Sisteron of excellent weather conditions in the Alps (courtesy of Halton club members Derek Jones and Neil Beattie who have been at Sisteron for a week already). Shame we've been on the road all day...
 
Thursday Apr 24th - All convoy expedition members met at RAF Halton for a sneaky beer and last english meal before heading off to France. Wheels rolled out of the GSA center at 05:30 Friday morning....
The Exped currently consists of:- Nick Smith (Lynham), Olly Peters (Valley), Andy Hyslop (VRT), Richie Arnall (Wyton), Luke Hornsey (VRT), Stef Szuszkiewicz (Halton), Rob Stallard (Marham), Tom Leighs (Wittering), Olly Chubbock (Wattisham). We will be meeting the remaining members, Phil Sturley and Dave Fidler, at Sisteron on the Saturday morning. Phil has flown his ASH 26 (G-LIVS) all the way down from RAF Wyton to Sisteron airfield, with Dave in support with car and trailer. A total flying distance of over 800kms, taking 3 days, but for only 9 lts of glider motor fuel!
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