Thermals by the ocean?

[davidleitch]

I am heading up to a coastal resort in Australia for a week's holiday with the family (Byron Bay). Naturally I will be taking my electric gliders (organic 2.5 and spiro).

It will be hot, but I am wondering how being close to the ocean will impact thermal formation?

My thoughts are:

(1) that humidity is bad for rising air.

(2) That the ocean temrperature will be different to the land temperature which might creat themal generatin differentials.

(3) that coastal breezes will tend to be stronger than those a bit inland.

Not sure how this all adds up. Of course proof of the pudding is in the eating, but just wondering what I should be looking for.

Thanks
Dave

[portfoxdesign]

Dave
Try to get ahold of Lancair, he is local there and maybe able to help.
I have caught thermals before when sloping, I guess you have had heaps of expirence on what they look like from a pilots point of view. Mainly the wing tells me the story, so on this day i just followed my instincts and started turning.
The days are pretty hot up here this time of year, so earlier in the morning around 10 to 1.00pm before the afternoon breezes hit is the best i have found around the brisbane areas.
Have a good holiday

Steve

[davidleitch]

thanks Steve

I take your point about the afternoon breezes. I guess they are caused by temerature difference between the ocean and the land. Presumably the land is hotter in the early afternoon, which should lead to an onshore breeze.

I will (have) been in touch with Lancair.

regards
dave

[davidleitch]

Well the answer is that if you fly in a hot area and there is not too much wind thermals by the ocean are sensational.

Had a couple of good flights and could have stayed up for ages this morning.

[mattg]

Never the mind the Thermals Dave; what's the water like?

Has Lancair taken you slope soaring yet?

[davidleitch]

Hi Matt


The water's cool, few waves, and now its raining for the last 3 days. Lancair was going to take me sloping but it hasn't happened. He did show me an excellent thermalling site.

See you on Sunday maybe.

Dave