A cracking Bank Holiday Monday, the warmest ever UK May Day holiday on record in some parts, didn’t disappoint at North Hill with temperatures well into the 20s. The temperature inversion made visibility a little murky with a distinct haze in all directions. What little wind there was suggested a set up at the westerly end of the field, necessitating a long walk from the hangar. After an exceptionally wet spring, the last fortnight of dry weather has helped bring the field into excellent condition; no more dragging mud out of the wheel-boxes. The Junior enjoyed a few launches, but it was the two-seaters (Perkoz and KEK) that saw most of the action.
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| Harry Rigby preparing for his aerotow (Mark Courtney) |
The shop at Dunkeswell must have done well out of members, as Graham and Cheryl (North Hill Cafe) took a well-deserved day off and we found what shade the clubhouse afforded to tuck into various microwave “specialities” at lunchtime.
As the afternoon wore on, the wind veered round to the west, leading to my first experience of a switch-around, with all the gear swapping ends. Once done, James Hood (Tuggie) got to take Mark Courtney, Duty Instructor, and Harry Rigby on a 3,000ft aerotow so that Harry could get some more sticktime. He was chuffed with lots more ticks and signatures on his training card. It was also good to see fellow junior Daniel Hender continuing his training in the morning.
Dick Stevens and Roy Boddy returned from their winter hibernation, Roy and Mark scratched away in the valley to the south of the clubhouse in the Perkoz and managed the longest flight from a winch launch (26 min).
Dick flew with John Street and despite being “ rusty” got cleared for solo as did Roy, great to see them back!
As the afternoon wore on, the wind veered round to the west, leading to my first experience of a switch-around, with all the gear swapping ends. Once done, James Hood (Tuggie) got to take Mark Courtney, Duty Instructor, and Harry Rigby on a 3,000ft aerotow so that Harry could get some more sticktime. He was chuffed with lots more ticks and signatures on his training card. It was also good to see fellow junior Daniel Hender continuing his training in the morning.
Dick Stevens and Roy Boddy returned from their winter hibernation, Roy and Mark scratched away in the valley to the south of the clubhouse in the Perkoz and managed the longest flight from a winch launch (26 min).
Dick flew with John Street and despite being “ rusty” got cleared for solo as did Roy, great to see them back!
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| Dick Stevens and John Street walking up the field (Mark Courtney) |
Oscar Leeson put in a great shift on the winch and deserves special thanks, sending many willing participants upwards, including Matt Williamson with Simon Leeson, Matt was looking to book the requisite number of flights in the Perkoz. Many of us stopped to admire Stirling’s Pinzgauer when he arrived, no it’s not a glider or a German sausage,look it up!
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| Harry Rigby's gloves are whiter than Roly's (Mark Courtney) |
By the end of the afternoon there was some modest thermal action to the south of North Hill but it was pretty fickle stuff and didn’t amount to much. Despite that we got a fair number of flyers into the air for currency and training. Thanks to Mark, Simon, and John Street for instructing in the heat, and everyone who came and spent their Bank Holiday at the club. - Mike Rigby & Mark Courtney
