We were expecting to have to wait patiently during the morning as the cold front cleared through, but it had very little rain, just an increasing gusty wind from Storm Hector. An early lunch was called and Pete Startup 230 and Martin Woolner KMV were keen to get going in the still gusty, but improving soarable conditions.
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| Northwesterly streets (Jill Harmer) |
The northwesterly streets set up nicely over the airfield enabling an easy get away from the winch for all. With all four two-seaters going all afternoon, and being called down for crew changes it was the best Thursday soaring for a while.
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| Clear air now the wind has changed (Mike Sloggett) |
It was a day for following the energy and Pete in 230 turned Tiverton, Culmhead, Molton etc on his 3 hour flight. Martin and Stu were both keen to check out the recently returned LS3-17. Ron went searching for the wave in DG505 with first Ray Dodd and then Paul Medlock, but it was not useable - just nuisance value in the streets.
Fortunately, by 18:00 everyone had flown, and we handed over the gliders to the evening group from the Air Cadets Devon and Somerset Wing, some of whom had helped at Competition Enterprise last summer and had suffered up to 6 aborted evening attempts to fly due to the weather!
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| Air Cadets from Devon and Somerset Wing with James Flory (Mark Courtney) |
21 launches before 18:00 and another 22 launches after 18:00 - Thanks everyone - J&P
