With
a reasonable westerly featuring in the forecast, a large but merry band
of members turned up today. At least that was everyone's official
reason. The words 'half price soaring' were heard whispered on a few
occasions . . you canny bunch. Two very impressive length lists formed
faster than Matt W can rig SF27 H5 when he thinks he might get a half
price launch (very fast, for those that haven't observed this
'phenomenon') If you weren't on the ball, or got distracted by requests
to tow gliders, you found yourself 'listed into oblivion' . . . ahem.
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| Todays' scribe Tim, taking notes for the blog (Mark E) |
Two
Johns were on instructor duties (P and Si) and with the first launch
beginning a good few minutes prior to 10am, they both seemed keen to
destroy aforementioned list. The ridge was 'working' from the off, and
it wasn't long before Eric was studying an empty launch point and a
ridge that bore a passing resemblance to Piccadilly Circus. With
routinely long flights, not only did this start eating into that scary
looking list, but it also gave some of the newer members their longest
flights and a chance to realise that there is more to gliding than
launching and landing. Mia looked especially happy. Or maybe it was
JP's instructing style . . or his jokes? Either way, smiling faces are
good. On the subject of long flights and smiling, Oscar
L, not content with his first solo a few weeks ago, completed over an
hour on the ridge in the Junior. That'll be another tick on a training
card box.
All
morning a threatening looking cloud hung around just west of the
airfield. At lunch time the edge of it finally arrived. Pete B in K6
HEB was first to relent (he insisted he just wanted a choice of landing
spots) followed by everyone else. It barely started before stopping
again, but was enough to require some squeegee action, and for the
coffee powered JP to drink coffee. Flying was soon resumed, and by
early afternoon the list was looking much less scary.
Chris
C was DLM and was busy allocating tasks and ensuring things got done.
As you'll all be aware, helping out around the airfield is part of the
'fun' of gliding, so now would be a good time to remind everyone that
excuses for not doing as asked are . . well . . ignored frankly.
However, Chris did make an exception today. Having some experience
managing people with a career in the military, his decision is final on
excuses as he's pretty much heard them all. It's hard to tell whether
he considered this particular 'excuse' worthy, or just hadn't heard it
before, but either way the culprit escaped unscathed. For those interested in an emergency excuse, please see Chris. If that fails ask Matt Wi.
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| Spectacular light (Mark E) |
Word
of the working ridge obviously got around. A few of the more seasoned
pilots turned up later to enjoy flights in the really quite spectacular
light as the clouds and sun interacted to create an ever changing
vista. Pete S extricated a K13 from the back of the hanger and took it
for a fly, and Matt Wr turned up to fly the lucky Maddie. Pete H helped
out with a spot of instructing towards the end of the day to finish off
the final names on the list. He was also heard muttering something
about "gliders not needing keys". Who knows? Not forgetting the final
flight of the day, demonstrating that the ridge was still working - an
hour by Henry in a Junior. Obviously.
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| North Hill airfield in the late afternoon sky (James H) |
Those turning up on the last two Saturdays must be feeling quite smug - winter flying is pretty special this year. - Tim P
