Club view-
With a brilliant forecast a huge
number of members turned up today many of them not usually seen on a
Wednesday, plus Course number two in full swing - it made for a very large
number of gliders waiting to be launched.
At
one point there were 20 in the queue, most of the cross-country pilots
opted for an aerotow and were duly launched by Pete W and Robert who
between them managed 19 launches.
In
the morning it was difficult to get away from a winch launch and the
sky overdeveloped a couple of times but by the afternoon most gliders
managed good soaring flights. - JSt
Course view-
'And the gliders joined the launch lines one by one (actually twenty)
Having
completed the first two days of the week with just the K21s in use the
course members had a rude awakening on Wednesday morning as the Club saw
an influx of Club members looking to fly Club and private gliders.
By
the time the course members had completed their respective reviews of
the previous day's flying and related ground school lectures with Pete F
and Mike S there were more than 20 private and Club gliders in and
around the launch point.
With the
course members having their own designated launch line however course
flying was soon underway with John having a new gliding experience
flying a K13 for the first time.
It was non stop flying throughout the day, apart from a stop for
lunch, and by the end of the day, the Course members had 26 K21 and K13 launches for a total of just over 3 hours - with the highlight being a
'first solo' for Ed Dark, Well Done Ed. - Mike Sl
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| Ed solos after 2 years on and off training |
Cross-country view-
The pundits arrived in force expecting a 300km day, but as is quite usual for the south west it was another late start. And there was an element of slight frustration as the launch queues were so long, but thanks to the tuggies for getting things moving.
Simon M in ASW20 SM, Pete St in Discus 230 and Phil M ASW20 611completed O/R to Salisbury 212km having fallen back from the planned 300kms. John P and Matt W headed off for Lasham in the Eagle BBB, got there but landed near Popham on the way home for 180km. (Reportedly enjoying a champagne hamper on the lawn of the Clockbarn.) Thanks to JB & Matt for the late night, long retrieve.
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| Landowner hospitality |
Eric in ASG29, and Tom in DG1 breezed round the Club 100 TIV - CRK with good speeds. Wyn in W7 did Dorchester and back and Pete & Jill in Duo discus OL wombled round Devon and Dorset. - JH
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| Portland Bill on the way back from Dorchester |
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| A field a long way from home. |
Evening group view -
In the evening, we welcomed a group from the Crash Box and Classic car group, who had been suitably enthused by a talk by Rowan in the winter.
In the evening, we welcomed a group from the Crash Box and Classic car group, who had been suitably enthused by a talk by Rowan in the winter.
Unfortunately, we missed the opportunity of a photo shoot of the wonderful 1960 British sports cars as everyone was busy having lovely evening flights on the ridge.
