Photo Essay by Brian Gilby
Brian Gilby from Warwick Gliding Club visited Omarama in New Zealand over the summer. He was flying with Milan Kmetovics of Kahu Soaring in a Duo Discus. He also flew in a single seater that Milan organised for him and experienced some spectacular flying across the Mackenzie Basin.
Brian took the photo above on the northern end of the Ben Ohau Range while trying to reach Mt Cook in the distance.
This photo was taken as Brian climbed out in wave near Omarama. Lake Ohau appears in the foreground and, 80km away in the background, stands Mt Cook. The atmosphere was incredibly clear. He reached 15,000ft with wind from the NW at 50kts, and silky smooth hands-off flying made taking photos easy.
Convergence clouds over the St Bathans Range.
Approaching Mount Cook.
Flying over the upper reaches of the Ahuriri River.
Brian also managed to get some outlanding practise. He landed at Long Slip in the Ahuriri River. Many of the crop dusting strips in the area can be used as outlandings options, and a guidebook and map are available showing where the strips are located.
