Another scorching thermic day for gliding. Although temperatures were well past the 20’s by 09:00am it was apparent there were very few members that had turned up to fly and help on the ground. With the wind virtually non existent and after scrutinising the forecast the launch point was set up in the far south west corner.
A surprising visit was made by a Robinson R44 helicopter, who proceeded to hover taxi to outside the clubhouse, allegedly wanting fuel thinking he had landed at Dunkeswell.
Flying started at around 10:30, cumulus cloud was already spotted this early providing good, lift. With tempting soaring conditions a handful of private gliders rigged and were soon flying off to complete their individual tasks. Instructor Glenn Turpin and student Mark Worsfold had a great flight early on soaring for 50mins with beaming smiles back on the ground. Meanwhile instructor Peter Field worked his way through the list.
The temperature rose to a staggering 28.6 degC. Guy Adams put student Will Stainer through his paces on some aerotow training eventually signing him off solo, along with some local cross-country, flying to Tiverton and then abeam Chard and back. Paul Summers flew a whole family of Trial Lesson visitors in the DG505 giving them all an enjoyable first flight with great visibility and a remarkable 5,000ft cloud base. Chris Wool took Ellie Carter for a fantastic 73 minute bronze flight in the Perkoz.
Rowan Smith in CLM completed the Club 100, Pete and Jill in OL completed 298Kms to Eyres Field, the Park, Eyres Field and Mudford.
Around 4:30pm, the sea air off to the south that had been threatening all day finally invaded overhead North Hill, making getting up to the superb convergence quite difficult. Suddenly a mass of gliders all returned to be on downwind within 5 mins of each other. With kit packed away Chris Warnes in the Junior was one of the last to land around 5:45pm.
Congratulations to James Flory and Chris Warnes who got their Silver heights in FZF and LRD respectively.
A great day for some local soaring, 38 flights total, with blisteringly hot temperatures experienced by all. Many thanks to all who helped to make it a great day. - Will Stainer
A surprising visit was made by a Robinson R44 helicopter, who proceeded to hover taxi to outside the clubhouse, allegedly wanting fuel thinking he had landed at Dunkeswell.
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| Unexpected visitor R44 (Graham Barden) |
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| K21 ready to go (Will Stainer) |
The temperature rose to a staggering 28.6 degC. Guy Adams put student Will Stainer through his paces on some aerotow training eventually signing him off solo, along with some local cross-country, flying to Tiverton and then abeam Chard and back. Paul Summers flew a whole family of Trial Lesson visitors in the DG505 giving them all an enjoyable first flight with great visibility and a remarkable 5,000ft cloud base. Chris Wool took Ellie Carter for a fantastic 73 minute bronze flight in the Perkoz.
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| Exe Estuary (Rowan Smith) |
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| Pete and Jill - Visiting the seaside (Jill Harmer) |
Around 4:30pm, the sea air off to the south that had been threatening all day finally invaded overhead North Hill, making getting up to the superb convergence quite difficult. Suddenly a mass of gliders all returned to be on downwind within 5 mins of each other. With kit packed away Chris Warnes in the Junior was one of the last to land around 5:45pm.
Congratulations to James Flory and Chris Warnes who got their Silver heights in FZF and LRD respectively.
A great day for some local soaring, 38 flights total, with blisteringly hot temperatures experienced by all. Many thanks to all who helped to make it a great day. - Will Stainer
