The Club was again relatively quiet first thing with only a few members' names on the flying list. A promising day, though rain showers were forecast for a few hours in the middle. But an enthusiastic crew unpacked the hangar with Peter Field (Duty Instructor) and John Sillett, and flying started shortly before 10:00am.
Josh Funnell and Charlie Stuckey both began their day with good flights. Then, to the surprise of everyone, Mike Sloggett actually rigged his ASW-20, launched and flew it for over 2 hours. (We were sure BBC Spotlight was going to come back for interviews given this rare occurrence!)
Josh Funnell and Charlie Stuckey both began their day with good flights. Then, to the surprise of everyone, Mike Sloggett actually rigged his ASW-20, launched and flew it for over 2 hours. (We were sure BBC Spotlight was going to come back for interviews given this rare occurrence!)
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| Devon countryside and large cloud streets developing (Mike Sloggett) |
The cloud streets started lining up, so Ron Johns and Pete Warren took flight in in ASH25, then Simon Minson ASW20, Rowan Smith Libelle and Pete Startup in Discus promptly followed suit, finding convergence and showers along the way. Locally, the rain came just about as scheduled, but the worst of it bypassed the field and flying quickly resumed. The result was booming lift but also equally daunting sink with some challenging turbulence on the approach prompting the flag colour to be changed four times during the day.
At lunchtime Guy Adams took over instructing duties and as the afternoon progressed so did the flying list. During the day the sky 're-cycled' several times providing continuing opportunities for soaring flights in Club and private gliders
Three happy Trial Lesson flights and a few family and friends aerotows kept Pete Stapleton busy in the tug.
Mike Sloggett (ASW20 ENW), Rowan Smith (Libelle CLM), Paul Medlock (DG100 HMS), Ron Johns and Pete Warren (ASH25 711), Robin Willis-Fleming (ASW27 JPM), Jeff Taberham (Mosquito 380) all enjoyed some local soaring.
Pete Startup and Simon Minson both got to Shepton Mallett, Pete managed to park at Crewkerne before getting back, but commiserations to Simon for getting caught in the sink and finding what looked to be the perfect field under a cloud street in which to land.
At lunchtime Guy Adams took over instructing duties and as the afternoon progressed so did the flying list. During the day the sky 're-cycled' several times providing continuing opportunities for soaring flights in Club and private gliders
Three happy Trial Lesson flights and a few family and friends aerotows kept Pete Stapleton busy in the tug.
Mike Sloggett (ASW20 ENW), Rowan Smith (Libelle CLM), Paul Medlock (DG100 HMS), Ron Johns and Pete Warren (ASH25 711), Robin Willis-Fleming (ASW27 JPM), Jeff Taberham (Mosquito 380) all enjoyed some local soaring.
Pete Startup and Simon Minson both got to Shepton Mallett, Pete managed to park at Crewkerne before getting back, but commiserations to Simon for getting caught in the sink and finding what looked to be the perfect field under a cloud street in which to land.
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| Simon's perfect field - but just look at the sky! (Simon Minson) |
And with everyone happy from a very pleasant day's gliding, the gliders and kit were all put away shortly after 5pm... - (ed:mashup from Tom Sides, Mike Sloggett and J&P)
