After a spell of poor weather the prospect of a semi-flyable day
brought out a lot of members as well as the usual Thursday crew.
I did arrive at 08:23 as planned, I expected to be the first at the club but to my amazement the launch point vehicle and ground equipment were already out! Who was up this early? Richard Harris of course, some say he never sleeps, but simply stands in his caravan fully dressed waiting for first light, and that if pushed can recite the periodic table in 14 different languages, all we know is ---- he's very handy!
Many members arrived by 9:00 and were treated to a quick lecture on approach control and spot landings, everyone promised to do better today, would it turn out that way ?? A light northerly wind did nothing for launch height and the first flight had to dodge some low orographic cloud.
I was the only instructor on site and also the duty Tuggie, I do wear two hats regularly but never at the same time! I started going through the list and was beginning to wonder how I could possibly be in the tug and the DG at the same time for the trial lessons.
Fear not, I looked towards the clubhouse and there I could see a black van, out stepped Chris Wool, his little legs whiter than Donny Osmonds teeth, a sight for sore eyes! It got better, I then received a message that Paul C was on his way ---and relax.
The juniors were both on the go from the start, Dave Albasiny returning after an op showed that he had forgotten little and was soon settling into one of them.
Two friends arrived for their trial lessons, I must say the two youngest 70+ year olds I have ever seen! They put it down to a lifetime of sailing, well they do preserve fish with salt after all.Most flights were short with little lift about but as the day drew to a close the clouds began to clear, weak lift appeared in patches on the north ridge and flights of 25 minutes were possible Just. Eric back from his 6 weeks in Turkey, all suntanned and content gave the two trial lessons a great introduction to the sport, they are keen to come back for more. NB please look out for two men looking 40ish with genuine bus passes.
Stu Procter turned up, and after telling everyone what a hard couple of hours at work he endured, volunteered to drive the tug so I could fly with Rhodri.
Rhodri Davies has been away from us for a year or so being paid to winch drive at Lasham, 6 days on 3 off, you can guess what he did on his days off ? No not drink beer fly! And it showed! brilliant performance.
Wyn Davies in W7 was seen to be maintaining height pursued by Chris Wool K21. Who would last longest. The contest was narrowly won by a determined Chris. Paul C and Chris worked tirelessly through the list so that everyone got to fly, John Borland held back over the last few months by bad weather re-soloed AND spot landed!
Motor VG was on the go most of the day and even the Rotax Falke came out for a Nav X test for David Woodward, Ian being the man with the examiner hat on.
Toys to bed at 5:45pm just in time for Champagne on the veranda, Pete and Jill arrived back from their sunny gliding expedition in Spain with lots of stories of 10,000 ft cloud bases and wave, jealous? me ? no way!
I have particularly missed Jill, the ship always needs a captain, and of course a person capable of giving 20 lashes, my back has just healed up as well, hey ho.
So did everyone succeed in spot landing? Yep they sure did! Just shows the benefit of a lecture before flying, as long as it's about flying and not the best grape for our Champagne - or was it tea and biscuits on the veranda!
Great day all round. - Mark Courtney & John Borland
I did arrive at 08:23 as planned, I expected to be the first at the club but to my amazement the launch point vehicle and ground equipment were already out! Who was up this early? Richard Harris of course, some say he never sleeps, but simply stands in his caravan fully dressed waiting for first light, and that if pushed can recite the periodic table in 14 different languages, all we know is ---- he's very handy!
Many members arrived by 9:00 and were treated to a quick lecture on approach control and spot landings, everyone promised to do better today, would it turn out that way ?? A light northerly wind did nothing for launch height and the first flight had to dodge some low orographic cloud.
I was the only instructor on site and also the duty Tuggie, I do wear two hats regularly but never at the same time! I started going through the list and was beginning to wonder how I could possibly be in the tug and the DG at the same time for the trial lessons.
Fear not, I looked towards the clubhouse and there I could see a black van, out stepped Chris Wool, his little legs whiter than Donny Osmonds teeth, a sight for sore eyes! It got better, I then received a message that Paul C was on his way ---and relax.
The juniors were both on the go from the start, Dave Albasiny returning after an op showed that he had forgotten little and was soon settling into one of them.
Two friends arrived for their trial lessons, I must say the two youngest 70+ year olds I have ever seen! They put it down to a lifetime of sailing, well they do preserve fish with salt after all.Most flights were short with little lift about but as the day drew to a close the clouds began to clear, weak lift appeared in patches on the north ridge and flights of 25 minutes were possible Just. Eric back from his 6 weeks in Turkey, all suntanned and content gave the two trial lessons a great introduction to the sport, they are keen to come back for more. NB please look out for two men looking 40ish with genuine bus passes.
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| Stu flies the Pawnee (Stu Procter) |
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| Rhodri back in the fold at North Hill |
Wyn Davies in W7 was seen to be maintaining height pursued by Chris Wool K21. Who would last longest. The contest was narrowly won by a determined Chris. Paul C and Chris worked tirelessly through the list so that everyone got to fly, John Borland held back over the last few months by bad weather re-soloed AND spot landed!
Motor VG was on the go most of the day and even the Rotax Falke came out for a Nav X test for David Woodward, Ian being the man with the examiner hat on.
Toys to bed at 5:45pm just in time for Champagne on the veranda, Pete and Jill arrived back from their sunny gliding expedition in Spain with lots of stories of 10,000 ft cloud bases and wave, jealous? me ? no way!
I have particularly missed Jill, the ship always needs a captain, and of course a person capable of giving 20 lashes, my back has just healed up as well, hey ho.
So did everyone succeed in spot landing? Yep they sure did! Just shows the benefit of a lecture before flying, as long as it's about flying and not the best grape for our Champagne - or was it tea and biscuits on the veranda!
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| Evening sky (Mark Courtney) |
