The morning briefing was all about the wind, RASP was very optimistic about the soaring today but the wind at the Mynd was 20 gusting 30 due East, they don’t launch in a strong Easterly due to the danger of a falling cable crossing the right of way after a cable break. It was quickly decided that the Mynd course would “move” to Shobdon for the day. Shobdon is 1100 ft lower, has a East West tarmac runway, they use the EuroFox for launching, so what’s not to like.
We de-rigged the Discus, but unfortunately, when we put the wing into the trailer a support bracket gave way, this required a bit of DIY before we could leave. We debated over coffee and were torn between drinking coffee and flying models due to the late start we would have at Shobdon! After an uneventful 40 min drive we arrived at 12:00 to find the field all organised and ready to launch the first glider.
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| A special day at Shobdon in FER (Mark Courtney) |
The sky was alive with energy so we were keen to get airborne, after a briefing (required as this is a very busy GA airfield) and the necessary form-filling, Steve Westlake set off.
He was dropped in lift and quickly got to cloud base at 5700 AMSL under a cloud giving 8 kts up!
Steve explored the local area, from 5000ft that area was quite large, it was quite easy to return to the Mynd and hurtle back at 100 kts. Steve kindly returned to let me have a go.
Andrew Logan opted not to fly as he was not aerotow current, (a clear case for taking the reduced price aerotows at NH through the winter!)
I launched at 4pm, the lift was just as strong but the cloud base had risen to 6000ft AMSL.The run back to the Mynd was at high speed and no turn was needed either there or back. Runs into wind to Clee hill and down wind to Radnor forest were fast and very easy. The whole group was encouraged to land before 6pm because we all needed to get back for steak night!
Shobdon despite being very busy is an easy airfield to fly from, mainly because of the circuit discipline, well worth a visit if anyone fancies it! The decision to not drink coffee or go model flying was for once the right one.
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| Steve ready to launch (Mark Courtney) |
Steve explored the local area, from 5000ft that area was quite large, it was quite easy to return to the Mynd and hurtle back at 100 kts. Steve kindly returned to let me have a go.
Andrew Logan opted not to fly as he was not aerotow current, (a clear case for taking the reduced price aerotows at NH through the winter!)
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| Nice sky (Mark Courtney) |
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| Shobdon Airfield (Mark Courtney) |
Many thanks to Shobdon for allowing us to borrow their kit and the Midland gliding club for allowing us to tag along. - Mark Courtney
