Wind was always going to be a problem on this busy day... with the forecast showing a variety of random directions throughout the day. There was a long flying training and solo list, 3 booked trial lessons, a 1:1 day booked with John Sillett and almost a dozen private gliders getting ready. We also welcomed Shona Fenion a visiting pilot from Parham.
It started off with a strong enough easterly to mean a walk to the southwest corner. The clear blue sky soon filled in with relatively low cumulus clouds which enticed the private owners out of the Clubhouse. It was reasonably easy soaring providing you found the first thermal!
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| Chris Wool looked after the Trial lesson visitors (Mark Layton) |
The clouds cycled at lunchtime and it became easier to get away, however a sharp southerly breeze developed and winching became impossible with the winch in the north east corner. A change of ends was completed and flying recommenced.
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| The afternoon queue of gliders (David Clements) |
Towards the end of the afternoon, a strong tailwind sprung up, and winching had to stop again, with less enthusiasm for changing ends again on the winch, a couple of aerotows were launched from the west end into the convergence to the south, and it was decided that for once the wind had beaten the flying list. So sorry to those who helped launch gliders all day and didn't get to fly.
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| Peter Smith in the back of the K21 all day (Mark Layton) |
Pete Startup in 230 completed a fallback task Dulverton-Chard-Sherborne but with a very low working band, and Wyn Davies W7 enjoyed tea and cakes with the farmers 'Brian and Mary' at Crediton.
Ron Johns tried out the back seat of DD3 with Phil Morrison and was reported to say "it was boring because it was so easy to fly!"
A rather frustrating day flying for all. In the evening, Pete Bennett gave a cracking interview about gliding at DSGC on BBC Radio Somerset. - J&P
