After a bit of a damp squib on New Year's Day, apart from Peter B who finished off his Bronze with CFI Pete - Well done Peter -
A
rather enthusiastic band of pilots/budding pilots turned up today after
the weather forecast of a decent strength westerly, had produced some
excited chatter on google groups about the possibility of a 'ridge
day'. Things seemed not to be going quite to plan on the journey to the
airfield when there appeared to be an absence of the most important
ingredient - wind. Mark C seemed optimistic - he informed us that the
weather forecast is mostly to be believed, so once we got to NHL all
would be fine. The NHL weather station was reporting 6 knots on arrival
- around half of the forecast. Not easily discouraged, the 10 or so
members emptied the hangar and set the airfield up. Spirits were high
as the Club's liftometer had been spotted wandering around the
airfield. As most regular attendees quickly learn, this is a good
thing. The liftometer only appears when there is at least an 85% chance
of a decent flight. All was not lost.
The two-seater list of 4 was dwarfed by the single-seater hopefuls. With
instructors outnumbering students, and some reasonably calm conditions,
it looked like a good day to be a student. First launch by 9.40. Good
work. Mia has learnt how the flying list works, and was first up . .
again! Ever optimistic, various instructors and students gave the ridge
a good exploring . . but nothing much happened. A phone call by John
P, worried he might be missing out on something exciting was fielded
asking for the status of the liftometer. "Still on the ground" was the
answer.
 |
| Thermals popping (Jill) |
By
late morning, instructors had run out of students and were flying for
fun. The windsock began to look a bit more bothered. Oh . . and the
liftometer was seen getting into a glider. Mmmm. Some extended flights
began - 23 minutes being one of the first notable ones. The liftometer
had landed but was straight back in the queue eager for another
attempt. Lunch was called for, and the final few gliders launched.
This decision looked somewhat poor with hindsight. The clue should have
been obvious. After
nearly an hours lunch, three of the gliders previously launched
were still airborne. Mark L in the Junior, Pete Sm in the DG505 and . . yes . . the liftometer
in a K13. Although the ridge wasn't working, it was helping to produce
thermals. Pete Sm had the longest flight of 1 hr 43, and the liftometer also
returned with a pleased looking grin and tales of 2700ft.
Whispers
were reaching us of a good day being had at Nympsfield. Matthew Wi,
Matt Wr, JB and Wyn all made the trip to experience the ridges on
offer. Matthew Wi and Wyn both enjoyed trips to Bath and back with
Trevor Stuart in the Nimbus 3DT, and Matthew had a picture of an altimeter reading 150ft.
While landing maybe? Matt Wr and JB were still in the air somewhere . .
hopefully.
The
rest of the afternoon was spent messing around in the sky and making as
much as possible out of some weak but reliable ridge lift, or flying
the motor gliders. Mia received her Christmas present - a flight in the
Super Falke with Peter F. Mark C and Simon L took the Rotax Falke
for a pleasure flight, with Simon practising a touch-and-go at
Dunkeswell. Mark C then flew again with James H. Pete and Jill flew a
K13, Stuart and James took the DG, and Rowan utilised the spare K21.
 |
| Jill & Pete in K13 (Mark C) |
Despite
the ridge not quite doing what everyone wanted, after a slightly
extended 'float' up and down the ridge with other gliders silhouetted
against the setting sun, no one seemed to be complaining. A slightly
unusual, but very enjoyable day.
 |
| Washing the Junior. You missed a bit! (Mark C) |
Well done to Captain Slow 'liftometer' for the good call, for a Club flying day on a Friday, and thanks to Peter F for volunteering for Duty Instructor. The hangar was empty Mr Treasurer....
And mention must be made of Ian M splitting his time between K21 and Pawnee to get them both back online very soon.
Happy New Year - Tim P
Happy New Year - Tim P
