RASP predicted good soaring conditions for Sunday but as the the forecast period shortened so did the expectations. Plenty of club members around first thing and as predicted a difficult choice for how to set up the field.
Despite many being away at Portmoak and the Mynd there were lots of instructors on hand to enable the Airfield to run like clockwork. Many thanks to Peter Smith, JB, James Hood, Roly Clarke, Paul Summers, Peter Warren, Chris Wool and John Street for helping out.
South east launch point seemed the best option and first launch with Mark Wallis and Peter Smith was away soon after 9:30 to tackle a list primarily of check and currency flights with trial lessons as well. We persevered from the east end until late morning but the wind was occasionally veering making simulated launch failures of which there plenty potentially too challenging so the decision was made to change ends and sides.
Inevitably the wind made the same decision, (why don't we learn?) and before the field was set up the forecast westerly component arrived. With that the Sky improved and there were some good soaring flights. Glenn Turpin found lift straight from the launch that went to 3000ft and others followed.
There were also a number of family and friends flights and 3 booked Trial lessons in R37 flown on the winch or aerotowed behind the Rotax Falke (Thanks Ian).
John Pursey (HOG) flew to Okehampton and a few local turnpoints for 214 kms in 3hrs39 and Pete Bennett started off the season (attempting to follow JP) in HEB but turned back at Crediton for the better weather in not quite 2 hours.
A lovely day at North Hill with 57 winch launches and 4 aerotows and great team atmosphere. - Peter Smith & Lisa Humphries
Despite many being away at Portmoak and the Mynd there were lots of instructors on hand to enable the Airfield to run like clockwork. Many thanks to Peter Smith, JB, James Hood, Roly Clarke, Paul Summers, Peter Warren, Chris Wool and John Street for helping out.
South east launch point seemed the best option and first launch with Mark Wallis and Peter Smith was away soon after 9:30 to tackle a list primarily of check and currency flights with trial lessons as well. We persevered from the east end until late morning but the wind was occasionally veering making simulated launch failures of which there plenty potentially too challenging so the decision was made to change ends and sides.
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| Ready after changing ends (Peter Smith) |
Inevitably the wind made the same decision, (why don't we learn?) and before the field was set up the forecast westerly component arrived. With that the Sky improved and there were some good soaring flights. Glenn Turpin found lift straight from the launch that went to 3000ft and others followed.
 |
| Steve Cotteril and Paul Summers waiting to launch (Lisa Humphries) |
John Pursey (HOG) flew to Okehampton and a few local turnpoints for 214 kms in 3hrs39 and Pete Bennett started off the season (attempting to follow JP) in HEB but turned back at Crediton for the better weather in not quite 2 hours.
A lovely day at North Hill with 57 winch launches and 4 aerotows and great team atmosphere. - Peter Smith & Lisa Humphries
