What a busy Autumn’s day flying. Given the weather conditions from the previous day it was no surprise to see the clubhouse packed with members by 8:45. Kit was unpacked DI’d and walked to the SW side ready for a days flying.
Flying commenced just before 10:00am with check flights being carried out by Ron Johns and Mike Sloggett. It was hoped that wave was forming over the Dulford area. Myself and instructor Ron Johns went to check it out only to find massive amounts of sink present there.
The morning came to an abrupt stop, as it was discovered that grass tangled up in the winch was slowly melting both the rope and winch pulleys on the SkyLaunch. A decision to operate on reduced aerotows was made whilst JB and some club members readied the Supacat for launching.
The first couple of Supacat launches were fairly interesting to watch as winch drivers refreshed themselves with the controls.
Meanwhile the Motor Falke crewed by Simon Minson and Stuart Procter was flown to Bodmin for some late breakfast / early lunch. On the way they enjoyed some south coastal flying.
At around 1:00pm thermals were fairly strong with some obvious cloud streets forming. Soon there were a flurry of gliders in the air, staying up for around about an hour each. Matt Williamson had a 2 and half hours in 611,the longest flight of the day, only to air-brake his way down deliberately. Whilst Simon and Oscar Leeson took the DG505 for an hour long flight.
The 3 trial lesson visitors were flown by Roly, Pete Bennett and Paul Summers. With good visibility and good lift all 3 visitors enjoyed themselves over North Hill averaging around 40 mins. 3 friends and family flights were also squeezed in.
As the sun once again set early, thermals started to die off. Some local training flights were carried out by the remaining instructors, followed by a few hangar flights. Pete Bennett grabbed the chance to fly his mum Fiona Bennett in the DG505 for a quick 2000ft aerotow flight just before kit was packed away at 5:30pm.
Overall a cold, but busy flying day with some good lift around if you timed it right. -Will Stainer
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| Ready to go (Mike Sloggett) |
The morning came to an abrupt stop, as it was discovered that grass tangled up in the winch was slowly melting both the rope and winch pulleys on the SkyLaunch. A decision to operate on reduced aerotows was made whilst JB and some club members readied the Supacat for launching.
The first couple of Supacat launches were fairly interesting to watch as winch drivers refreshed themselves with the controls.
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| SkyLaunch and SupaCat winches (Will Stainer) |
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| Streeting on the way home (Simon Minson) |
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| Great sky for October (Will Stainer) |
The 3 trial lesson visitors were flown by Roly, Pete Bennett and Paul Summers. With good visibility and good lift all 3 visitors enjoyed themselves over North Hill averaging around 40 mins. 3 friends and family flights were also squeezed in.
As the sun once again set early, thermals started to die off. Some local training flights were carried out by the remaining instructors, followed by a few hangar flights. Pete Bennett grabbed the chance to fly his mum Fiona Bennett in the DG505 for a quick 2000ft aerotow flight just before kit was packed away at 5:30pm.
Overall a cold, but busy flying day with some good lift around if you timed it right. -Will Stainer
