Horsham Week started with great soaring conditions on the first Saturday, under the influence of a northerly airflow with cloud-base around 10,000 ft. Fast competition times for the AAT tasks were recorded.

This good weather was short-lived, and the arrival of a weak cold front on Sunday led to the cancellation of flying that day.

The remainder of the week, when we flew every day, produced challenging tasks under unstable cool southerly airflows. Using five tugs we launched some 35 – 38 aircraft each day in less than an hour.

I was grateful for the assistance of Max Hedt and Selwyn Ellis during marshalling and dispatch, and for the capable tug operations organised by Mark Griffin.

From my perspective, we were once again the beneficiaries of extensive forward planning by members of the Horsham Flying Club, and their continued commitment led to a week of safe and enjoyable operations. The pilots all enjoyed HW, and we all owe a debt of gratitude to the Horsham club.

David Cleland, our CD for 2011 HW, provided me with a great foundation for my role as “ab-inito” CD, which I found to be both challenging and enjoyable.

The assistance of Geoff Vincent in interpreting local weather was invaluable, as was the experience of Tim Shirley and Tony Tabart in Task-Setting.

Mike Cleaver handled the role of Safety Officer with sensitivity and aplomb, and the inevitable scoring challenges were handled very capably by Selwyn Ellis.

I should also thank Chris Thorpe and Noel Vagg for their capable handling of the Treasury portfolio.

Our HW web-master, Jarek Mosiejewski, spent considerable time designing a brilliant website, each day updating the latest results.

This competent and enlightened team did much to ensure the success of HW 2012.

I would like to again thank the HFC members, capably led by Arnold Niewand, Lorelle Esmore and her team in the kitchen, and the Organising Committee for making HW 2012 such a success.

It was great week, and I look forward to next year – HW 2013.

• 18M / Open Class: Tony Tabart, Corangamite, Ventus 2cM / 18M.
  
• 15M Class: Bruce Cowan, GCV, Ventus B
• Standard Class: John Orton, GCWA, SZD 55
• Club: June Nakamura & Chris Thorpe, Beaufort GC, Twin Astir

• Achievement Trophy : Bernie Sizer, SRGC, ASW 15
• Turkey Trophy: Alf McMillan, Geelong GC, DG 300

Day 7 started with cool temperatures, a clear blue sky and strong 20 kt southerly winds.

At briefing, the sky was already showing low-level cumulus development south of Horsham, with clearer skies to the north. AAT tasks were set with the expectation of reasonable soaring conditions to 4500’ by early afternoon. Suspected late over-development and strong 20kt winds argued for a shorter task on the final-day. This decision was supported by most pilots. .

All classes were set a 177 km AAT task: Horsham AD – Arapiles AD (20km radius) – Antwerp (20 km radius) – Minyip (20km radius) - Horsham AD (278.1 km max and 82.7 km min).

Cumulus began developing before noon, again with evidence of solid overcast and higher cloud in the south near the Grampians.

Launching commenced at 1300 with strong 20kt southerly winds and 4 kt climbs to 4000’. 30 aircraft were launched in 40 minutes into an active sky, again with conditions anticipated to improve to the north.

Pilots reported climbs from 5-6 knots to 5000’ during the early afternoon and reliable 8 kt lift later to 6500’. Lift on the second leg cycled quickly, and lift during the final leg into wind was described as reliable, although the strong headwinds proved challenging.

Speeds of 110 – 117 kph were reported by open class pilots who worked the strongest lift between 4000 and 6000’, taking advantage of well-organised lift streets. 2 aircraft outlanded.