The Met Office forecast
predicted showers this morning. John Pursey didn't. A £33m computer vs
a flourescent orange jacket wearing, coffee-powered cyclist/glider
pilot. Which was correct? - JP obviously! That had to go into print as
his opinion was doubted in certain corners. So despite some heavy clouds hanging over North Hill at 10am, the
showers didn't materialise. What eventually did materialise however,
was the Pursey / Williamson combo. Having their departure time delayed
by Tim's porridge-making antics, meant not only had they arrived later
than they considered optimum, but also they had an entire hour in a van
together to whip themselves up into an unstoppable enthusiastic frenzy.
The result of this was that while everyone else hid in the clubhouse
looking at clouds and waiting for the rain that never deigned to
arrive, they had
rigged H5 SF27 in possibly the shortest time yet in anticipation of
'epic skies'. This was quickly followed by JP making his way to the
launch point to hop up and down (metaphorically at least), waiting for a
willing student.
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| Our author Tim with the Orange coffee machine-JP ( Tim P) |
It
was possibly the forecast that had the effect of limiting the list size
(every cloud'n'all that . . excuse the pun). This meant that even list
amateurs were to find themselves flying sooner than they expected. JP
got stuck in as soon as everyone got brave enough to extract themselves
from the clubhouse. His first flight with Mia was around an hour.
Ridge lift and plenty of thermals meant staying in the air was not
difficult. The good conditions had the added bonus of making list
progress extra efficient.
Amongst
the usual gliders on the launch point consisting of expert
instructor/amateur pupil, could be found the expert instructor/expert
instructor combination of Martin W and Stuart P. Stuart did a good job
of hiding the pleasure he must have gleaned from getting our shiny new
CFI to do exactly what he said, as Martin underwent his 5 year checks.
Anyone
questioning the quality of the conditions soon had their doubts
dispelled as Pete S rocked up at the launch point with Discus 230,
launched and was shortly seen heading towards Tiverton under some 'hard
to reach in a K21' clouds. That's an excuse that could be used anyway.
He reappeared a considerable time later having completed 100km complaining of wind.
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| Stu gives Martin 5 year check (Mark C) |
After
Matthew Wi had finished flying H5, he handed the 'keys' over to James
H. The same James H that has previously insisted H5 is good for nothing
more than a bonfire. The same James H that insists he won't fly wooden
gliders because he doesn't trust them. Matthew Wi is nothing if not
persuasive it seems. James had a good soaring flight and if you
listened hard enough afterwards there were possibly some compliments in
some of his comments! Photos are available for the doubters.
Rowan
flew Libelle CLM and after getting simultaneously bored with hanging
around the club / tempted by the clouds, also ventured towards Tiverton.
Finding himself 1000ft under final glide, with fields picked, he
eventually recovered the situation to return the glider exactly an hour
after setting off (as previously promised) to Chris H.
Heather
had both great news about Roly's progress and also a great flight with
Lisa, acquiring her red card.
James F completed an aerotow in a K13 in order to practice some spinning and JP finally got to fly a glider himself as he gave work colleague Keith a flight in the DG505. Keith was suitably impressed describing the experience as 'amazing'. Matthew Wi did some further BI training with Mark C and James H and Nick H (complete with new hair cut'n'colour) went for a flight in the DG505.
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| Lisa and Heather (Mark C) |
James F completed an aerotow in a K13 in order to practice some spinning and JP finally got to fly a glider himself as he gave work colleague Keith a flight in the DG505. Keith was suitably impressed describing the experience as 'amazing'. Matthew Wi did some further BI training with Mark C and James H and Nick H (complete with new hair cut'n'colour) went for a flight in the DG505.
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| Paul briefs Heather's nephew (Mark C) |
Thanks
to Ruth and Gordon B for running the launch point, and to all the
instructors and members for helping out. Thanks also to Graham H for
installing the new Gator security feature. As well as secure the Gator,
it also makes for a good puzzle, as Jonathan and Tim found out after
convincing themselves that it simply couldn't work (luckily Graham was
on hand to demonstrate it could!)
A very productive day at North Hill. - Tim P
ICL at Upavon
Meanwhile at Upavon, rumours (well Facebook actually) suggest that Liam completed a Task..... More news expected.
ICL at Upavon
Meanwhile at Upavon, rumours (well Facebook actually) suggest that Liam completed a Task..... More news expected.
