15 Aug post-briefing (Comp Day 10); panel pic LAK17bfes

 

 LAK17bfes panel.  PowerFLARM portable on RAM mount. V7 Vario/computer. ASI, mechanical vario, Samsung android phone running one of the many soaring programs.  Second row - Base for the RAM mount, Becker radio, altimeter.  Third row - Colibri II logger, motor/battery controller. On the left canopy rail, looks like a Nano flight recorder (everyone has a back-up).

The LAK 17B has different wings than the -a, same fuselage, and in one of the two flying here, a different horizontal stab/elevator (the other has the older type, and a new one in the trailer - the older went through tech inspection, so it's the one that must be used). There are also new winglets that are taller than the -a's.  Note the narrow tip wheel to reduce drag.  I want a pair of those!  See how the winglets are faired - very different than in other gliders.
The gliders - one going to Vancouver, one to the US (I think New Mexico) - both have the front electric sustainer engines.  Very interesting...  They are always just behind us on the grid - nice guys!

Congratulations to Jerzy on his day win yesterday, at a smokin' average speed of 153.5 kph over 581.7 km (he said he was redline limited on final glide when an energy line headed straight for the field)!  A speed of 148.0 kph would have got you 16th in 18 metre!   15m winning speed was 143.2 kph over 598 km.  Open, 157.0 kph over 663 km... one landout in Open class, a little under 10 km from the finish ring... late to International Night!

Another load of dusty, sweaty clothes go to the cleaner - and will be washed and folded by 4 pm at a buck a pound.  One less thing to think about...

And of course, a big shout-out to the International teams who put on a such a nice spread of their countries' famous snacks and drinks.  Pity the pilots had to leave so early, to rest.  Poor them!

Tasks du jour:

There is a change to Open's start gate, which is normally different than the others (keeps them apart, as the spot trackers show).  The new gate will decrease Open task distance by about eight klicks.

And, a quiz; this was the morning gift on each pilot's place.  It is furry.  It is round.  It is not sticky, happily.  What is it?  Nano flight recorder gives scale...