A small but hardy group of members turned up more in optimistic hope than real expectation having seen the forecast - with much ensuing looking up at grey skies, followed by orders for breakfast and mugs of tea and with evident wishing for the sun and blue skies to appear. Conversation and cuppa over, the decision was taken to make the most of the day before a forecast weather front arrived.
The launch point and winch run were set up in the South East and North West corners of the field respectively, meanwhile the K21s, the DG505 and a Junior were brought out of the hangar and readied for the day, as was the Pawnee.
Simon M (SM), Mark C (ENW) and Pete S (230) rigged their gliders in the confidence that the sky would improve as the day unfolded.
As launching got under way mid-morning then the sky did improve and with some thermic activity evident, as well as the ridge working reasonably well in places, at one stage there were 6 gliders and the Pawnee all in the air at the same time.
Paul Summers completed an aerotow trial lesson and family and friends in KEK during the morning. Paul Kane had some 'fun' flying the DG505 in preparation for flying the Pegase.
However the approaching weather front had steadily been creeping closer and closer to the field and by around lunchtime the private glider pilots had all decided that it would be good to land and put their gliders away dry.
As the light rain appeared the decision was made to stop for lunch with the gliders all parked carefully 'just in case' the weather deteriorated further.
Lunch taken, and with the weather radar suggesting there might be a clearance later in the afternoon, most of those present decided to test their skills on the simulator.
And then there was a knock on the door saying that the light rain was getting heavier so with coats and hats on (it is October after all!) the gliders and kit were all put away for the day.
The launch point and winch run were set up in the South East and North West corners of the field respectively, meanwhile the K21s, the DG505 and a Junior were brought out of the hangar and readied for the day, as was the Pawnee.
Simon M (SM), Mark C (ENW) and Pete S (230) rigged their gliders in the confidence that the sky would improve as the day unfolded.
As launching got under way mid-morning then the sky did improve and with some thermic activity evident, as well as the ridge working reasonably well in places, at one stage there were 6 gliders and the Pawnee all in the air at the same time.
Paul Summers completed an aerotow trial lesson and family and friends in KEK during the morning. Paul Kane had some 'fun' flying the DG505 in preparation for flying the Pegase.
However the approaching weather front had steadily been creeping closer and closer to the field and by around lunchtime the private glider pilots had all decided that it would be good to land and put their gliders away dry.
As the light rain appeared the decision was made to stop for lunch with the gliders all parked carefully 'just in case' the weather deteriorated further.
Lunch taken, and with the weather radar suggesting there might be a clearance later in the afternoon, most of those present decided to test their skills on the simulator.
And then there was a knock on the door saying that the light rain was getting heavier so with coats and hats on (it is October after all!) the gliders and kit were all put away for the day.
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| Putting gliders away, mid-afternoon in August, wearing coats - what!! - (Mike Sloggett) |
Thank you to those members who helped get others in to the air but due to the weather did not get the same opportunity. Let us hope that the forecast of more sunny weather for the rest of August is correct... - Mike Sloggett
