Sun 16th June

Apparently we are in the month of June, although the general weather including wind strength and temperature today suggested it was more like February. The ‘not very optimistic’ forecast had, unsurprisingly, deterred a number of the Sunday regulars from turning up. But by mid-morning, enough members had arrived to be able to start to get the gliders and ground equipment out. But with grey clouds and regular rain showers, as well as the likelihood of more rain arriving from the West, the only decision which could be made was whether to have tea or coffee?

Decision making? (Mike Sloggett)

And then with some optimism about a positive break in the weather, together with enthusiasm being generated by those members present, the hangar doors were opened and gliders brought out - but almost as soon as the gliders were out in the open air then more rain arrived, followed by more rain.

It was then a question of whether to put the gliders away or wait for an improvement in the weather? - meanwhile Mark Courtney and Ian Mitchell had started to complete Mark’s 5 year refresher with some classroom discussions.

Brightening skies (Mike Sloggett)

With brightening skies and a suggestion from the weather radar that some flying might be possible both K21s were taken across to the North East corner of the airfield and soon gliders were being launched skywards - the only question now was whether full height launches could be achieved?

North hill Airfield (Mike Sloggett)

For Mark and Ian who had now moved from theory discussion to practical activities such question was irrelevant as simulated launch failures were clearly the order of the day.

Early afternoon the rain reappeared with a vengeance and with a freshening wind the decision to put everything away was under serious consideration. But after much looking at the weather radar there was an element of confidence that more flying might be possible during the afternoon and that is how the afternoon turned out - albeit the ‘interesting’ conditions on the approach and during landing made for some focused flying and handling of the gliders.

During the afternoon we welcomed Ben and Argentine Person, brother and sister solo pilots from Mendip GC at Halesland, who are visiting various gliding clubs to add to their gliding experience - and there was just enough time to get them both into the air.

Cloudbase (Mike Sloggett)

Then with everyone who wanted to, having flown by late afternoon, it was evidently a suitable time to put everything away. As someone said at the end of the day “Well we made as much as we could out of that day!”

Thanks as always to everyone for the teamwork to help get others into the air. - Mike Sloggett