After the Club AGM a good number of members, including some EUGC existing and new members, turned out to see what the day would hold. With
optimism in the air and despite the weather not perhaps as good as
forecast the decision was made to get all the kit out to be ready to fly
if the weather improved.
The optimism was rewarded - after a "stuttering start" due to low cloud and the odd rain shower still drifting across the field from time to time, by late morning flying was well underway with both winch and aerotow flights taking advantage of the pleasant flying conditions to 'waft around gently' in the bright and crisp sky.
With a blend of both experienced and new members the
launch lines were kept going until the setting sun and misting canopies
saw flying stop for the day
By the end of the day...
36 winch launches and 7 aerotows - everyone who wanted to fly had flown
Mike W had got back in the air for the first time since August.
Rick was cleared for solo aerotow in the K13.
Matthew W had fun flying the SF27.
The optimism was rewarded - after a "stuttering start" due to low cloud and the odd rain shower still drifting across the field from time to time, by late morning flying was well underway with both winch and aerotow flights taking advantage of the pleasant flying conditions to 'waft around gently' in the bright and crisp sky.
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| A dramatic skyscape |
By the end of the day...
36 winch launches and 7 aerotows - everyone who wanted to fly had flown
Mike W had got back in the air for the first time since August.
Rick was cleared for solo aerotow in the K13.
Matthew W had fun flying the SF27.
The Street brothers (John and Robin) flew together (for the first time in a while).
Several EUGC newies had got hooked by both the flying and the ground handling learning and indicated they would be back for more early in 2014 after the Christmas break.
Several of the relatively new members made progress with their flying and also their ground handling learning.
Several EUGC newies had got hooked by both the flying and the ground handling learning and indicated they would be back for more early in 2014 after the Christmas break.
Several of the relatively new members made progress with their flying and also their ground handling learning.
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| Washing and packing up in the dark |
In amongst the fun there was an unexpected visitor in the form of a wayward parachutist from Dunkeswell who 'landed through the approach' and ended up in the East end of the field, fortunately not in the proximity of a glider or the Pawnee - the 'landing' was followed up by the Duty Instructor having a 'suitable word or two' with our flying friends over at Dunkeswell!!
A salutory reminder to all of the importance of lookout and to to expect the unexpected!
Thank you to the experienced members who kept the launch lines going as well as spending time to train up others with suitable skills - a particular thank you to the winch drivers for today who each completed long 'tours' at the other end of the launch line and therefore only had limited opportunity to fly in return. - Mike Sl
