The weather forecast for Easterly winds had seen various Club members decide to not make the long trip North to Portmoak. However with trains, flights and holiday accommodation booked, David Cowley and Mike Sloggett decided that a week ‘up North’ would make a change from usual routines.
Arriving late Sunday morning at the Scottish Gliding Centre, in the rain and low cloud, David and Mike saw that Andy Davey was already well established in the SGC Clubhouse completing the usual “peer out the window looking at the Bishop Hill” exercise hoping that the weather would improve to allow some gliding to take place. Mid-afternoon it became evident that the weather was not going to improve so David and Mike decided to find their holiday accommodation for the week.
Arriving late Sunday morning at the Scottish Gliding Centre, in the rain and low cloud, David and Mike saw that Andy Davey was already well established in the SGC Clubhouse completing the usual “peer out the window looking at the Bishop Hill” exercise hoping that the weather would improve to allow some gliding to take place. Mid-afternoon it became evident that the weather was not going to improve so David and Mike decided to find their holiday accommodation for the week.
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| The Bishop shrouded in cloud (Mike Sloggett) |
Monday morning saw that the weather had changed for the better with blue skies and sunshine now in abundance.
On arrival at the airfield it was evident that the local members were confident of a reasonable day with gliders already at the West end of the field. Paperwork and introductions completed, David was soon in the air with an SGC Instructor and finding out the fun of flying the circuit and approach over Loch Leven.
In the afternoon Mike and David were able to use an SGC K21 to make the most of the improving weather, whilst during the day Andy Davey (Libelle) was continuing to enjoy flying his relatively new glider.
On arrival at the airfield it was evident that the local members were confident of a reasonable day with gliders already at the West end of the field. Paperwork and introductions completed, David was soon in the air with an SGC Instructor and finding out the fun of flying the circuit and approach over Loch Leven.
In the afternoon Mike and David were able to use an SGC K21 to make the most of the improving weather, whilst during the day Andy Davey (Libelle) was continuing to enjoy flying his relatively new glider.
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| Andy Davey in Libelle (Mike Sloggett) |
With a good forecast for Tuesday and as this was an SGC Club day it was decided that an early start would be a good idea, but even though we arrived at the the airfield around 8:30, there were three K21s and a Junior already down at the West end of the airfield with the winch in place and ready to launch.
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| Loch Leven (Mike Sloggett) |
And so it was on with the flying for the day, with Mike being invited to help out “in the back seat” with local SGC members and clearly feeling it would be rude as a visitor to not take up the invitation.
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| Nice sky (Mike Sloggett) |
After lunch David was able to complete his final checks before being cleared to fly solo in the SGC Club gliders and taking the opportunity to fly a K21 to end the day.
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| David Cowley solo at Portmoak (Mike Sloggett) |
Throughout the day Andy Davey (Libelle) continued to enjoy the fun of flying above and around Loch Leven.
With a good forecast for Wednesday we may even have to set the alarm clocks a little earlier this evening. - Mike Sloggett
With a good forecast for Wednesday we may even have to set the alarm clocks a little earlier this evening. - Mike Sloggett
