"If in doubt, don't..."
The weather forecast for the final day of the May course week had provided suitable optimism of a good day to finish what had been an 'interesting' week weather wise. However with the weather forecasts and actual weather over the previous 4 days being rather changeable there should not have been much surprise that the wind was stronger than forecast and not just in general speed but particularly the strong gusts.
Over an early morning cup of tea the course members had an opportunity to talk through what they had learnt from Jill's meteorology briefings the previous day, but despite much endeavours to do so were not quite able to find any forecast that suggested there would be some flying at some stage in the afternoon.
That the end of course photo was taken mid-morning reflected the general acceptance that launching gliders would not take place but a decision was made to review matters again at lunchtime in the fervent hope that the wind would calm down suitably during the day.
The weather forecast for the final day of the May course week had provided suitable optimism of a good day to finish what had been an 'interesting' week weather wise. However with the weather forecasts and actual weather over the previous 4 days being rather changeable there should not have been much surprise that the wind was stronger than forecast and not just in general speed but particularly the strong gusts.
Over an early morning cup of tea the course members had an opportunity to talk through what they had learnt from Jill's meteorology briefings the previous day, but despite much endeavours to do so were not quite able to find any forecast that suggested there would be some flying at some stage in the afternoon.
That the end of course photo was taken mid-morning reflected the general acceptance that launching gliders would not take place but a decision was made to review matters again at lunchtime in the fervent hope that the wind would calm down suitably during the day.
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| Course members, Instructors and Helpers (Mike Sloggett) |
With the
members pretty well 'briefed out' due to the weather seen during the
week the new flight simulator was used by several members to see whether
they could complete a winch launch or aerotow and in turn landing. (Thanks to Martin Woolner and Pawel Belskinski for getting the simulator finished - it will now be handed over to Matt Williamson to organise how it will be used)
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| First chance to use the new simulator in unflyable weather (Mike Sloggett) |
Thank you to the Helpers Richard Harris, Roly Clarke, Ian Hunt, Aston Key, David Clements, not to mention the Instructors Mike Sloggett and Peter Smith for helping the course members get airborne during the week. - Mike Sloggett
