It was perhaps a little surprising that with a reasonably optimistic
weather forecast there were not more members at the Club today - it may
well be that some members had a premonition that the actual weather
would not be as good as forecast, with an overcast sky and a fresh North
Easterly wind not exactly encouraging much enthusiasm amongst those in
the Clubhouse.
With just a few members well outnumbered by the instructors present only the K21s were taken out of the hangar initially with the launch point set up in the Western end of the field.
Flying was underway soon after 10am but after just a few launches the first of the morning's delays happened with a rope break which saw lots of rope and the parachute entangled in the trees on the South ridge.
With just a few members well outnumbered by the instructors present only the K21s were taken out of the hangar initially with the launch point set up in the Western end of the field.
Flying was underway soon after 10am but after just a few launches the first of the morning's delays happened with a rope break which saw lots of rope and the parachute entangled in the trees on the South ridge.
Once retrieved and repaired, flying started again but with just a couple more launches completed before the second rope break of the day, and with a similar result - lots of rope and the parachute in the trees on the South ridge.
 |
| Still a strong crosswind but much better-looking sky (Mike Sl) |
As the weather started to improve the DG505 and the
Pawnee were brought out for some trial lessons - and as the sun started
to break through there were some encouraging signs of thermal activity
as the clouds became more defined and the blue 'gaps' were more evident.
By mid-afternoon, extended flights were becoming a recurring occurrence albeit that in and amongst the 'pockets' of lift there was, no surprise, plenty of sink to keep pilots' minds suitably focused to add to the 'interesting' approach over the West end of the field
By late afternoon everyone who wanted to fly had flown so hangar flights were completed with the hangar doors closed just before 5pm...
And there was time for James to use his recently acquired Licence to take a flight in the Falke (with Dave Weekes) for his first official passenger/dual flight. - Mike Sl
By mid-afternoon, extended flights were becoming a recurring occurrence albeit that in and amongst the 'pockets' of lift there was, no surprise, plenty of sink to keep pilots' minds suitably focused to add to the 'interesting' approach over the West end of the field
By late afternoon everyone who wanted to fly had flown so hangar flights were completed with the hangar doors closed just before 5pm...
And there was time for James to use his recently acquired Licence to take a flight in the Falke (with Dave Weekes) for his first official passenger/dual flight. - Mike Sl
 |
| James and Dave fly Rotax Falke (Mike Sl) |
In the evening, a group of members gathered for a social evening with dinner from Cheryl and Graham followed by film night organised by Henry.
.JPG) |
| Congratulations to Rob & Julia (Graham) |
The surprise of the evening was the announcement of Rob and Julia's engagement - Congratulations from all of us at North Hill. - J&P
