Low cloud precluded an early start despite the hive of activity before 9am, but a task briefing and maggot racing for yesterday entertained all.
The forecast for a clearing decaying occlusion followed by a north westerly flow around a ridge of high pressure was again quite promising.
After briefing with the lifting cloud the Thursday group started flying whilst those planning cross-country continued fettling.
First launch of the day found 4 kt to 2000 ft and rising rapidly, and the launching frenzy began, a mixture of winches and aerotows.
But it wasn't long before the first phone call from Peter Sm Lak 19 1UP from a field at Sampford Peverell, followed fairly swiftly by Rowan Libelle CLM from a field at Cullompton.
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| 1UP at Sampford Peverell (Chris H) |
Retrieves organised and on the road, Spot the Gliders was keeping everyone interested. Conditions were good locally but those on task found tricky areas with some sea air intrusions to the turnpoints from both north and south coasts. Chris W and Ruth in DG505 got half way round the Club 100 before running for home in the difficult conditions.
Ray D and George in Juniors both enjoyed their first 2 hour flights, and all the training flights had plenty of soaring practice.
Pete St 230 Discus, Ron & Dan 711 ASH25, Martin W in LS3 KMV, and JB in Ventus all completed the longer task NHL - Beaminster - Wellington - Crediton W - NHL for 153 km, making use of the sea breeze front which had worked well inland and Tom in DG100 completed the shorter task Club 100 NHL - Tiverton - Crewkerne -NHL.
Then some more phone calls came in from Burstock where Mark L in Cirrus 477 with his first field landing followed shortly by Mike F in Pik 20 DFK had landed in the same field.
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| 477 at Burstock south of Crewkerne (Mark L) |
So with just a few flights that struggled to get away first time, there was a total of 45 hours soaring from 32 launches with 14 private gliders out.
So a very pleasant day with soaring for all, and some testing conditions for those who went cross-country.
With conditions not looking good for tomorrow, a big thanks to Pete St and Ron for organising the task week and Wooly for flying the Club 2-seater.
- J&P
With conditions not looking good for tomorrow, a big thanks to Pete St and Ron for organising the task week and Wooly for flying the Club 2-seater.
- J&P
