On Wednesday, in the biting headwind, the final approach altitude disappeared for many and forced a powered flight over the last few kilometers. Yesterday, the highly explosive thunderstorm situation caused an increased level of stress in the cockpit after the two completely different weather forecasts had been chosen for the optimistic and for flying. Some pilots returned to Bitterwasser early before the rain pelted the pan. Others let themselves be pushed further and further by the storm lines to the west, but then found a calm zone behind the showers for a long final approach.
Kilian Biechele: “Today we have seen pretty much all weather phenomena here in Namibia. At the turnaround in the southwest, I didn't believe that we would end up in Bitterwasser again. There were thunderstorms everywhere and so we only had the way to the far west on the edge in the direction of Gamsberg.” On this first flight with the Quintus, Kilian covered 1061 kilometers despite all the adversities.
As a member of the Bitterwasser Board of Directors and CFI of the Soaring Society of Namibia, Dieter has rendered outstanding services to gliding in Namibia.
Sitting at his favorite spot in Bitterwasser, he has left us forever.
We will not forget him.
The season in Bitterwasser is slowly drawing to a close.
One by one, the gliders are being loaded into the containers. And still some teams fly over 1000 kilometers every day.