As we left Plymouth in the dark, and drizzle, we lamented the lack of flying in recent weeks and potentially another day of no flying. So with a number of Club days having been unflyable in recent weeks due to poor weather of various aspects it was pleasantly surprising to arrive at the airfield under blue skies and a light South Westerly wind.
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| Blue skies to start (Mike Sloggett) |
Rain showers were forecast for later in the morning but with members steadily arriving two by two it was clear that we needed to make the most of every available minute of flying time to get as many people in the air during the day and there was a suitable air of anticipation in and around the Clubhouse
An airfield ‘pitch inspection’ confirmed that as thought the overnight rain had drained away well but nevertheless with the rain of recent days, aerotow launching only would be the plan
(Mark C, as Duty Tug Pilot, managing to keep his excitement at hearing such decision under control as he ran with a skip and a jump to the tug hangar and threw the doors open!)
An airfield ‘pitch inspection’ confirmed that as thought the overnight rain had drained away well but nevertheless with the rain of recent days, aerotow launching only would be the plan
(Mark C, as Duty Tug Pilot, managing to keep his excitement at hearing such decision under control as he ran with a skip and a jump to the tug hangar and threw the doors open!)
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| Club gliders on the grid (Mike Sloggett) |
With a number of currency flights needed (including Instructors) both K21s, the DG505 and the Perkoz were all brought out of the hangar and readied for the day’s flying with a Junior also made available for “current” solo pilots.
And then it was on with the day’s flying with a pre-flight briefing agreeing that activity would continue through lunch to make the most of the day and with members encouraged to land short by judgment, rather than using the glider wheelbrakes, so as to not damage the airfield too much.
And then it was on with the day’s flying with a pre-flight briefing agreeing that activity would continue through lunch to make the most of the day and with members encouraged to land short by judgment, rather than using the glider wheelbrakes, so as to not damage the airfield too much.
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| Lunchtime storm (Mark Courtney) |
As it happened some rain showers worked their way across the airfield around lunchtime so an ‘enforced’ break in flying was needed but early afternoon the gliders were again in continuous action. Throughout the day the weather moved through in phases, ranging from orographic cloud hanging around the circuit to nice blue skies and everything in between.
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| A bright slot is on the way (Peter Smith) |
Some flights were extended by convection under the clouds, and others by some wave in front of the clouds, but nothing spectacular except for the cloudscapes.
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| Some gentle wave (Mike Sloggett) |
Rob Hender enjoyed his "Amey Community Day", working at the launchpoint and on the simulator wiring, just fitting in a small cross-country triangle in the simulator at lunchtime.
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| Cloudscapes and rainbows (Mike Sloggett) |
As the afternoon came to an end the flying list was not quite beaten, with just one member missing out due to a darkening sky of the next rain and cloud heading towards the airfield concurrently with the Pawnee needing it’s second refuel of the day (sorry Andrew!)
A nice early Christmas present for everyone else today in terms of some flying after a torrid run of poor weather - Thank You to everyone for the teamwork to get others into the air.. 18 flights in total. - Mike Sloggett
In the evening, there was a DD3 / Eagle Christmas Party with JP spending hours on the catering with the 'hangers-on' doing the washing up.
A nice early Christmas present for everyone else today in terms of some flying after a torrid run of poor weather - Thank You to everyone for the teamwork to get others into the air.. 18 flights in total. - Mike Sloggett
In the evening, there was a DD3 / Eagle Christmas Party with JP spending hours on the catering with the 'hangers-on' doing the washing up.
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| Washing up (Nick Jones) |
