On this spot you can look out at Tapley's Hill, which is where the first glider flight of the Adelaide University Engineers Gliding Club (now the Adelaide University Gliding Club) took place in May 1930.
This stretch of coastal terrain was the site of other gliding events. At Sellick’s Hill (further south) in August 1930 George Kenneth Rice-Oxley broke the British Empire gliding record while slope soaring for 62 minutes. Not bad considering most primary glider flights were of about 2 to 3 minutes. (He could have stayed up longer, but someone crashed a second glider and he landed to check they were all right.)
Glider planes have long since moved to more promising terrain, but you can still see hang-gliders at Sellick’s Hill.
Your task is to investigate the hill in front of you and theoretically create more promising terrain for any glider pilots who wish to return.
Glider pilots know that lift can be generated from geological formations. Different formations create different types of lift.
To claim this Earthcache you will need to do some research.
First: Describe the terrain at Tapley's Hill. Why would this spot have been chosen and what kind of lift would it have generated?
Second: What geological processes would Tapley's Hill have to experience in order for it to generate better conditions for glider pilots?
Third: Most prized for Adelaide University Gliding Club pilots is wave soaring. What type of terrain would Tapley's Hill have to become in order to generate the conditions for wave soaring? What geological processes would need to take place for it to be created?
You may learn more about the history of the Adelaide University Gliding Club and perhaps get some hints from:
http://www.augc.on.net/Club.php
You will need to email your answers to Doctor Owl.
N.B. Eagle is a glider pilot. Hawk likes to launch gliders. Raven is learning to fly. They will not be assessing your answers. Owl is a historian and she will be. You might like to take this into consideration in formulating the responses.
If you wish you may log the find before receiving a reply, but incorrect, incomplete or missing answers will result in the log being queried or quietly deleted.