Well for the first Sunday of November! (sorry September), it was good to get some gliding in today - made possible by great teamwork all round.
A generally positive weather forecast suggested that the Club might be busy particularly after the poor weather on Saturday had prevented any flying.
However, it was soon evident from the grey skies and lowish cloud over the airfield that some members clearly either had psychic powers or did not believe the forecast was correct. There were only a few members on site at the start of the day but with just about enough to allow flying to take place should the weather improve.
It was agreed that a decision would be made at 11:00am so that if there was to be no flying everyone could go off and make better use of the day.
With the skies trying to brighten and with an element of keenness to fly, at 11:00 it was decided that the decision would be delayed further and just before 11:30 the decision was made to get some gliders out.
With a small number of members and an even lesser number of winch drivers, a call to the Treasurer was made asking for permission to run a reduced price aerotow day - with the Treasurer agreeing (thanks Tom!)
Both K21s were brought out of the hangar whilst the launch point was set up in the South East corner of the field.
A generally positive weather forecast suggested that the Club might be busy particularly after the poor weather on Saturday had prevented any flying.
However, it was soon evident from the grey skies and lowish cloud over the airfield that some members clearly either had psychic powers or did not believe the forecast was correct. There were only a few members on site at the start of the day but with just about enough to allow flying to take place should the weather improve.
It was agreed that a decision would be made at 11:00am so that if there was to be no flying everyone could go off and make better use of the day.
With the skies trying to brighten and with an element of keenness to fly, at 11:00 it was decided that the decision would be delayed further and just before 11:30 the decision was made to get some gliders out.
With a small number of members and an even lesser number of winch drivers, a call to the Treasurer was made asking for permission to run a reduced price aerotow day - with the Treasurer agreeing (thanks Tom!)
Both K21s were brought out of the hangar whilst the launch point was set up in the South East corner of the field.
 |
| Aerotowing (Mike Sloggett) |
Late morning Mike Sloggett and Sam Flory took the first aerotow to complete a weather check particularly around cloudbase - it was found possible to climb to 2000ft in a gap albeit with a watching eye needed on some of the clouds, around the airfield, which were lower in height.
And then it was a question of making sure that everyone flew with the team on the ground working away quietly and efficiently helping each other to fly - and with instructors and tug pilots all changing seats (on the ground!) to ensure that everyone flew in something.
There were some pockets of lift here and there which meant that the flights were able to be extended suitably. The weather never really improved to any great extent but it was evident that the decision to wait patiently, was worth it.
And then it was a question of making sure that everyone flew with the team on the ground working away quietly and efficiently helping each other to fly - and with instructors and tug pilots all changing seats (on the ground!) to ensure that everyone flew in something.
There were some pockets of lift here and there which meant that the flights were able to be extended suitably. The weather never really improved to any great extent but it was evident that the decision to wait patiently, was worth it.
 |
| Pockets of lift amongst the grey skies (Mike Sloggett) |
During the day James Flory completed two of the threee booked Trial Lessons and Simon Minson (SM) showed how to make the most of the weak lift around the field completing a flight of 1hr 39.
Thanks to all who helped to get each other in to the air today, patience was rewarded with 15 aerotows in total! - Mike Sloggett
Thanks to all who helped to get each other in to the air today, patience was rewarded with 15 aerotows in total! - Mike Sloggett
