Unusually, there had no weather update from Pete for today, as the forecast had been fluctating between good and bad and it was anybody's guess as to what would ensue. The day started with a large amount of top cover although cumulus clouds could be seen widely on the horizons. The wind was very light but with a north easterly bias, and the forecast showed a change likely to north west at some point during the day.
With RASP now showing RED this morning, the optimistic private owners rigged and towed and parked at the west end in readiness. Whilst training commenced in earnest with Mike Horwood and Daniel Hender in the K21s, the Junior pilots and private owners decided to 'wait for better things'.
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| Cumulus starting under the top cover (Jill Harmer) |
By lunchtime, Tom Sides managed to get the first soaring with the Trial lesson visitor. This led to a minor frenzy for launching, with some great soaring conditions all afternoon.
Just after 15:00 we had managed to empty the launchpoint and the windsock started swinging out with a westerly wind so a swift end change was completed with nearly all airborne.
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| Godd afternoon skies (Jill Harmer) |
Pete Bennett completed his BI revalidation checks with Chris Wool. Mike Horwood resoloed after a significant layoff. The Junior members rigged the K6 DRE and Charlie, Josh and Ross all enjoyed flying it, with Ross converting for the first time and Josh managing 1½ hours.
The cross-country pundits flew round the Club 100 but as conditions were so good, continued the westerly leg to Barnstaple.
230 made it back in the deteriorating conditions, but Wyn in W7 went for a pint at The Keepers Cottage - 3 km short. Chris Wool and Peter Bennett in the Perkoz ventured out beyond Tiverton. Rob Rand with JB in K21 (supposedly practicing an aerotow) flew west nearly making MUD and the furthest that Rob has explored.
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| Trial flights launching into stunning skies (JB) |
The evening group was made up from Capital Aviation and Ashill friends and the remaining Unity 5 group who missed out last week, enjoying flights with some stunning skies.
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| John Street and Guy Adams at Flybe (Mike Sloggett) |
The second group of Instructors/Committee members visited Flybe to discuss mutual airspace considerations and fly the Embraer simulator, thanks again to Flybe and training Captain and DSGC member James Smart. Another great day for DSGC.- J&P
