While winter finally caught up with the Bulgarian latitudes, in the southern hemisphere the gliding season is at it’s peak.

Ivelin Kalushkov again took advantage of the Australian conditions and managed to beat 2 more of the Bulgarian national records in the beginning of December 2019. On 10.12.2019 Ivelin managed to beat the out and return record (340 km ) to a declared goal and free distance, beating also his own performance from last year. New record is 379 km.

The flight was planned as a 750 diploma flight but unfortunately due to the overheated ground conditions had a late start loosing a lot of time and skipping the last 2 points. The valid first point and finish crossing however validate the flight for a Bulgarian National record.

Season down under…

Due to the continuing drought for the last year in Australia , conditions on the continent are unusual. Characterized by a late start of the days due to overheating. Drought however has it’s benefits providing high condensation points – mostly blue thermals and high cloudbase when there is one. This season heights of 4000 – 4500 meters seem like something normal.

Unfortunately the drought in Australia also makes the country more susceptible to bushfires that cover big portions of the East coast of the country. Very often flying conditions are deteriorated due to poor visibility caused by the smoke. Dust storms caused by W-NW winds raising sand and dust form the deserts are also common.

In the last 3 weeks Australia is seeing a lot of rain activity especially in the E part of the country. Fortunately that helped for the extinguishing of the bushfires, but deteriorated the flying conditions by lowering cloud base and increased thunderstorm probabilities for each day.

Season is not over yet however. Lake Keepit soaring regatta comes in February. We’re yet to see more news about the season in the southern hemisphere.