After a shortened flying day on Saturday due to weather, it was thought that there would be lots of members keen to fly today - although rain was forecast for first thing it was expected that behind the rain the day would improve and provide the opportunity for some gliding to take place.
Unusually, the actual weather was exactly as forecast with the rain front being replaced by blue skies albeit a fresh wind generally from the South.
So where was everyone?
At 9:30am there were just about enough members to start getting the gliders out but not enough to run winch launching and with the field still draining the decision was made to run aerotows only. With the hangar unpacked R37 was taken down to the workshop and derigged ahead of it's annual inspections being completed.
With a freshening crosswind and a Yellow card just the K21s were in use initially with Jordan Bridge, a visiting staff instructor from Lasham and a friend of Lizzie Westcott, taking the first aerotow. Then Will Stainer, Paul Kane, Robin Street and Geoff Lawrence all had the opportunity to fly in the 'interesting' conditions both on take off and on the approach/landing.
Mid-morning, the first Trial Lesson visitor of the day arrived and the flight was completed in the DG505 by Stu Procter with tug duties being shared between Simon Jordy, James Hood and Simon Leeson. With most members having flown and with the weather all looking good for the afternoon a decision was made to stop for lunch.
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| DG505 over the south ridge (Mike Sloggett) |
After lunch the skies improved nicely providing some good thermals in places up to a cloudbase of around 2300ft - with the afternoon flights all enjoying around half an hour in duration and during which time everyone had fun. Mike and Barbie Fairclough doing so in the DG505 and Pete Warren in the Junior. Rowan Smith flew the second Trial Lesson visitor of the day and those who wanted to fly again did so.
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| Improved conditions (Mike Sloggett) |
With everyone having got airborne and with the take off and approach becoming 'even more interesting' the decision was made to put the toys away.
With the hangar doors shut at just after 5:00pm all agreed that it had been a good day and one to talk about next time at the Club - 'You should have been here last Sunday...' - Mike Sloggett
...and at Mendip GC
Just as the front had cleared early morning and there were beautiful blue skies over North Hill, "Billy-no-mates" H5 Matt left with 611 in tow. Was chasing the bad weather to the west the best prospect of fun today? Passing other people on the way to the Club and catching up with a torrential downpour on the M5, I started to think otherwise.
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| Cheddar Reservoir (Matt Williamson) |
Thankfully, as always, it was worth the effort, after it had cleared at Halesland a blustery 20kts at 190 degrees meant the run from the M5 gap to Wells was working.
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| Cheddar Gorge (Matt Williamson) |
A very warm welcome and great hospitality from the members as always. - Matt Williamson
