Easterly wind and no clouds over North Hill but some soarable air to the south and east initially with a sort of streety convergence forming in the south west late afternoon.
When John P arrived for his instructing duty this morning at 9am he was looking somewhat befuddled. Perhaps he hadn't had enough coffee, or perhaps it was the effect of finding the field already set up and the gliders out and in the process of inspection by the keen early-morning members. The gliders were walked up to the south-west corner of the field all ready for a nice early start......which didn't materialise because the Skylaunch winch, like a school-child on a September morning, flatly refused to get going. With the backup Supacat winch also having battery issues, a few pilots took reduced-price aerotows. Others waited, putting their trust in the combined expertise of Alan T, Richard H, Dick S, Roy B and Mike W who worked hard to get both winches up and running so launching could begin in earnest.
While there was lift for most of the day, thermals around the club were often weak and broken, with plenty of sink in between, so that many pilots found themselves back on circuit rather more quickly than they had anticipated. Mike in the Pik and Pete in his Discus both got away, proving to the rest of us that is could be done but leaving us unsure about how. Meanwhile James F continued hi BI preparation with Stuart in the K13. - Ruth
When John P arrived for his instructing duty this morning at 9am he was looking somewhat befuddled. Perhaps he hadn't had enough coffee, or perhaps it was the effect of finding the field already set up and the gliders out and in the process of inspection by the keen early-morning members. The gliders were walked up to the south-west corner of the field all ready for a nice early start......which didn't materialise because the Skylaunch winch, like a school-child on a September morning, flatly refused to get going. With the backup Supacat winch also having battery issues, a few pilots took reduced-price aerotows. Others waited, putting their trust in the combined expertise of Alan T, Richard H, Dick S, Roy B and Mike W who worked hard to get both winches up and running so launching could begin in earnest.
While there was lift for most of the day, thermals around the club were often weak and broken, with plenty of sink in between, so that many pilots found themselves back on circuit rather more quickly than they had anticipated. Mike in the Pik and Pete in his Discus both got away, proving to the rest of us that is could be done but leaving us unsure about how. Meanwhile James F continued hi BI preparation with Stuart in the K13. - Ruth
Stu and Simon went on a trip to the North coast in VG.
 |
| Stu & Simon in VG |
Pete and Jill in Rotax Falke SC found some cloud streets to Okehampton and turned Bodmin for a sightseeing trip back over Dartmoor.
 |
| Callngton Lake looking serene (Jill) |
 |
| Inversion level over Dartmoor (Jill) |
 |
| Clear on the South coast, but clouds hiding in the inversion over North Hill (Jill) |
Pete Startup in 230 flew 170km "A nice sightseeing trip along beautiful
South coast with thermals over the sea and everything! Particularly
enjoyed the views of Lyme Regis where the wife and I had lunch on the
seafront yesterday.
Fed up of waiting for Cu to appear at NHL, launched into the blue and took several weak climbs to get to a line of clouds on the coast. Going East it got better with much more cloud and a higher cloudbase.
To Bridport and West Bay, then NE to see the 'big' fella at Cerne Abbas. Back down to Dorchester as I hadn't been there this year and back along the coast going West until the sea air messed it up a bit so came inland and home via CCX.
Just a really lovely end of season bimble. Exeter ATC helpful."
Fed up of waiting for Cu to appear at NHL, launched into the blue and took several weak climbs to get to a line of clouds on the coast. Going East it got better with much more cloud and a higher cloudbase.
To Bridport and West Bay, then NE to see the 'big' fella at Cerne Abbas. Back down to Dorchester as I hadn't been there this year and back along the coast going West until the sea air messed it up a bit so came inland and home via CCX.
Just a really lovely end of season bimble. Exeter ATC helpful."
Meanwhile the training operation continued all day plus three trial lesson visitors enjoyed their flights. - J&P
