With blue skies and bright sunshine as well as a good forecast it was
somewhat surprising that only a small group of members were at the Club
first thing, although as the morning progressed the numbers gradually
increased.
As there was little or no wind and with a forecast of North Westerly later in the day the launch point was initially set up in the South East corner of the field but before flying had started the wind had freshened and settled down as a North Easterly so the launch point was repositioned in the South West corner of the field.
As there was little or no wind and with a forecast of North Westerly later in the day the launch point was initially set up in the South East corner of the field but before flying had started the wind had freshened and settled down as a North Easterly so the launch point was repositioned in the South West corner of the field.
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| Launch point was set up (Mike Sl) |
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| Pawnee back in action providing aerotows (Mike Sl) |
Flying
got underway just before 11:00am and the flying list was steadily worked
through before a stop for lunch - just before lunch Matt took a new
temporary member (Paul Kane from Kentisbeare) on an aerotow in K13 (R37)
for what was planned to be a 'simple flight'. As everyone returned from
lunch Matt and Paul were still airborne, an hour and a half after take
off, having found some wave to the North of the field.
After lunch the flying continued apace with various members taking advantage of the blue skies to practice their aerotow skills and in some cases the 'fun of spinning'.
" Paul Kane,
a plumber from Kentisbeare, who has been planning to try gliding for
ages, finally came up, met Tom, who brokered a deal for a 3000’ tow as a
good intro. probably sold him a place on the April course into the
bargain.
Given
the wind direction I thought we might find wave around Culmstock so
asked Simon Jordy to tow us to 3000 in that direction, best lift was
just north of the north ridge though so off tow we turned back towards
the club reconnecting at 2300’ near Blackborough car dump. With Paul
having a go at the controls we were able to yoyo between 2500' and 3100’
in a fairly narrow area of lift while every one else had lunch. We
enjoyed excellent views of the north and south coasts in the wonderful
sunshine finally returning to North Hill as the other members finished
their lunch and came back out onto the field." - Matt W
After lunch the flying continued apace with various members taking advantage of the blue skies to practice their aerotow skills and in some cases the 'fun of spinning'.
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| More aerotows (Mike Sl) |
Tom in Junior (KHA) achieved just over two hours in the same wave lift found earlier in the day by Matt and Paul.
During the day Guy and Lisa had fun sightseeing in and around Minehead and the North coast of Somerset and Devon in Falke G-BKVG.
A day of good teamwork all round with everyone flown and gliders washed and put away by soon after 5:00pm. - Mike Sl
During the day Guy and Lisa had fun sightseeing in and around Minehead and the North coast of Somerset and Devon in Falke G-BKVG.
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| Those North coast cliffs from VG! (Lisa) |
Mini-Expedition to Parham
Abandoned by the old men, H5 Matt awoke alone at Parham on Sunday
morning. The wind was still blowing northerly so he had a 1000ft aerotow
onto the ridge which was working to 1000'.
As forecast at 12:00 the wind started to die off and the ridge got soft and very crowded. Thankfully by this time the thermals were plentiful and allowed flying upto 1500ft, -stratospheric compared to the standard of flying on this trip!
As forecast at 12:00 the wind started to die off and the ridge got soft and very crowded. Thankfully by this time the thermals were plentiful and allowed flying upto 1500ft, -stratospheric compared to the standard of flying on this trip!
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| View from the South Downs (Matt W) |
Thanks to the guys at Parham for being so helpful and welcoming.- Matt H5
Mini-Expedition to Talgarth
Sadly no wind, so no soaring, Simon M ended up doing a little Instructing, good news -
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| KMV waiting for the wind (Stu) |
Stu did his first solo at Talgarth in his LS3. - Simon M
