By Michael Robinson | Uvalde Hesperian ; Photos by Robinson
It’s 5 O’Clock Somewhere as the Jimmy Buffett classic says and 5 O’Clock hour was the time when the glider pilots competing in the USA 18 Meter Nationals and Uvalde Glide would be completing the day’s flight and start making their approach to Garner Field for a landing. At 4:53 PM the We Glide real time flight tracking map showed most of the gliders northwest of Uvalde with one solitary glider away from the pack heading towards Garner Field. The Uvalde Hesperian chose the corner of Cottonwood Street and Garner Field Road to view and photograph the gliders arriving.
Watching the flight tracking map as the first plane seemed to get close to Garner Field on the map. The skies were clear and the sun positioned to the west did make it difficult at times to spot the plane. Finally I saw the first glider circle high overhead making one pass before attempting it landing. Looking to the North, that glider came in low and fast, almost completely silent.
After the first glider landed about 5:15PM, it would be another 30 minutes longer before the pack of gliders still west of Uvalde would be spotted in the sky. Once they started arriving they came in low and fast with many dumping their water ballasts just before making their final incoming approach and touchdown. Several times, I felt the drops of water fall on my head and face. Witnessing the water steaming off the fuselage of the glider and some trailing off the wings was a sight to see and makes for great pictures.
Another photographer named Miguel showed up and brought his Canon digital camera and joined me as we took pictures of the gliders flying over and landing.
Although the August temperatures early Friday evening were brutal, getting to see the white sailplanes land was a real treat.
Todd Dorris informed me on Facebook that pilots would be resting on Saturday and taking to the skies one last time on Sunday, August 20th.
With many of the gliders competing over many miles around Uvalde, the only times one can really view the gliders from the ground is take offs and landings. Both events are an exciting sight to behold.
If you miss your chance this Sunday to see the gliders take off and land, there is always next year for the 2024 World Soaring Championship to look forward to.
