A quiet morning at the Club first thing, well inside the Clubhouse anyway - outside the fresh Northerly wind was blowing around the rafters and with low cloud around the circuit this all deterred any immediate enthusiasm of getting any gliders or ground equipment out.
So, with breakfasts ordered from North Hill Cafe, it was a question of looking at weather forecasts to see what the day might hold - with an indication that the wind strength was likely to reduce as the day unfolded and after much monitoring of the wind speeds, including gust strengths, a decision was made mid morning to set up the launch point and winch run for launches to the North West of the field.
So, with breakfasts ordered from North Hill Cafe, it was a question of looking at weather forecasts to see what the day might hold - with an indication that the wind strength was likely to reduce as the day unfolded and after much monitoring of the wind speeds, including gust strengths, a decision was made mid morning to set up the launch point and winch run for launches to the North West of the field.
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| Tricky crosswind (Mike Sloggett) |
With a Blue Card rating designated both K21s were brought out of the hangar, the Junior put straight back in, and the Trial lesson visitors cancelled.
And with various Instructors available flying started both to provide less experienced pilots with the opportunity to watch Instructors dealing with the take off and landing aspects of flights and with other pilots able to demonstrate their ability to handle the 'interesting' cross wind.
And with various Instructors available flying started both to provide less experienced pilots with the opportunity to watch Instructors dealing with the take off and landing aspects of flights and with other pilots able to demonstrate their ability to handle the 'interesting' cross wind.
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| North Hill airfield - sunny at times (Mike Sloggett) |
During the day there were suggestions of limited thermal and possibly wave lift in various parts of the sky but only sufficient enough to provide extended circuits rather than anything else.
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| Tom solo in DG505 (Mike Sloggett) |
As forecast the wind reduced in strength as the day, and flying list, progressed - after a short break for lunch the afternoon saw the flying list completed including Tom Sides going through his paces with Simon Minson before being the latest non Instructor to be cleared to fly the DG505 solo, Well Done Tom.
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| The end of another weekend (Simon Minson) |
With the flying list completed the gliders and kit were put away - with 30 launches in total a good day to end October. - Mike Sloggett
