Looking at the weather for the next few days Monday looked about the best of the bunch with the best conditions forecast around North Hill(for a change and they were right), an ad-hoc day was called. We winch launched today as the tug had to got to Bodmin for something or other.
Well the weather did eventually play ball although the clearance was a couple of hours later than forecast but when it did arrive it was worth the wait. Soarable from about 13:30 although tricky to start with it very quickly became very good indeed so unstable was the airmass. The viz was astonishing and from overhead Devon you could see the South coast all around Lyme Bay, the North coast and even the Welsh coast was crystal clear all the way up the Severn to the bridge - all at the same time.
The wind was about 10-12kts and a bit gusty on the ground and up to 17kts at flying height. Pete S in 230 had a task of about 150km round TIV then going East. But before even reaching Chard the Somerset Levels were completely devoid of cloud due to the wind direction and strength. Such was the viz I could see Yeovil reservoir about 25km away(my next turnpoint and where I reckon the next cloud was), and my gadget told me I'd get there at 2500' - well it would running with a 17kt tailwind but coming back would have been a different matter! So I settled for a circular tour via Taunton, Wimbleball, Tiverton and home and just taking in the views.
Many others enjoyed similar flights with regular climbs of between 4-6 kt averages to 4,000' above North Hill.
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| HCX Library pic (Mark Layton) |
Dan Hender had a couple of check flights with JB and even though he flew very well the gusty crosswind conditions were just a bit much for any more early solo flights. Still, every cloud.............he got to fly with Phil Morrison, skipper of the MV Calypso, in DD3 for a couple of hours. Dan did most of the flying, landed it too and got to do some proper cross country flying - did he have a smile on his face! I think his Dad Rob is dreading having to ask the 'what would you like for Xmas' question! Thanks Phil.
Also out playing today were Gordon Bonny, Geoff Taberham, Andy Davey, Rob Hender flew with JB and the Faircloughs. Carl and Dave Cottingham flew the Falke( I even saw it with the engine stopped!) and Ian was flying the Rotax Falke all day with some students from Mendip.
Many thanks must go to Gordon Hutchinson for winching, Sally for launch point controlling and Jonathan Erskine for dogsbodying, all very much appreciated.
Chariman Nick arrived late from work, de-rigged DD3 ready for it's trip to the 2 seater comp 'Oop North this weekend, and then bought the Otter debrief beers - many thanks Nick - nice end to a good day!
Sadly given the great viz, nobody took any scenery pics so you'll have to settle for this mugshot of Rob enjoying himself - at least I think he is!
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| Rob near cloudbase(JB) |
