Despite the optimistic forecast, only a small number of members turned out to keep a higher number of instructors busy.
It was mild (at least considering it’s January) and a light southeast wind greeted the group as Peter Field gave a quick briefing about canopy misting and then challenged Fran Knowles with various cable breaks.
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| A few breaks in the cloud (Mike Sloggett) |
Tom Sides took the first full height launch and found the sky a bit overcrowded with cloud scud. The sky gradually improved, but there was little lift through the rest of the morning as Mike Sloggett put Dave Cowley through his checks and Sam Flory received some refresher training. A wind shift dictated a field end change, then James Flory elected to help the Treasurer by taking aerotows and beginning his instructor coaching with Mark Courtney.
Around noon, Simon Leeson took a Junior launch and showed the rest of us pups what big dogs do in tall grass, i.e., soaring in thermals forming off the south ridge for almost an hour. After a quick lunch, Ellie Carter had a few check flights and then was sent off solo. New member Simon Rickard had the last two flights of the day as the canopies started misting up.
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| A few more breaks (Mike Sloggett) |
All in all, those who decided not to come out missed a good day for gliding. Thanks to John Street and Paul Summers for their help on the ground. - Tom Sides
