Arriving at the Club with blue skies and thermals already evident it was good to see all the Club gliders out of the hangar as well as the Pawnee.
With a number of private gliders being rigged whilst other private gliders were being towed from the parking area, as well as a long flying list, including some visitor Trial Lessons, clearly today was likely to be busy - and it was!
With a number of private gliders being rigged whilst other private gliders were being towed from the parking area, as well as a long flying list, including some visitor Trial Lessons, clearly today was likely to be busy - and it was!
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| Busy day at North Hill (Mike Sloggett) |
The morning duty team of Peter Field and Nick Redfern had the launch point well organised and soon gliders were being launched into a sky which promised much - but as ever did not always provide the necessary and important first climb away from the winch launch. So no surprise that some private owners decided to take an aerotow to allow more thermal hunting time.
For those who managed to get away from the winch or aerotow the sky was looking good enough to encourage ventures farther afield.
For those who managed to get away from the winch or aerotow the sky was looking good enough to encourage ventures farther afield.
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| Nice clouds (Mike Sloggett) |
Pete Startup 230 turned Eaglescott - Beaminster - Wellington - Cullompton for 206kms, Ron and Dan Johns in 711 went to the seaside - South coast.
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| Ron & Dan in 711 over Chesil Beach (Ron Johns) |
Rowan Smith in CLM had a good day out turning Eaglescott and Barnstaple on the North coast...
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| CLM over Eaglescott (Rowan Smith) |
" Best day of the season for me. Although the wind was strong (18 knots) the thermals were also strong and very reliable. A thoroughly lovely day out. Let's hope the rest of September will bear more soaring fruits." - Rowan
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| CLM at Chivenor Taw estuary (Rowan Smith) |
Pete and Jill Harmer in OL wombled round South Molton and Wellington. Eric Alston in G29 did Club 100. We welcomed the Linees from Dorset GC with Tim in the
Nimbus 2 enjoying Devon weather. Altogether there were 15 private
gliders out enjoying the local conditions.
The afternoon duty team of Guy Adams / JB and Martin Bennett ensured that the flying list continued to make progress and with everyone who wanted to fly having done so by soon after 5pm the decision was made to return Club gliders to the hangar and put the winch and other ground equipment away.
Tom Sides was busy all day looking after the Trial Lesson visitors with relevant flights in the DG505. Pete Bennett completed revalidation of his BI rating under the watchful eye of Simon Leeson.
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| Pete Bennett enjoyed a testing day (Simon Leeson) |
Robert Lee, Peter Warren and James Flory shared the tug pilot duties whilst John Street and Mike Sloggett helped out with some instructing in Club two-seaters.
During the day, Stu Procter and Guy Adams in Falke (G-BKVG) and James Hood in Falke (G-CDSC) returned from the LAA fly in at Sywell Airfield - following which William Pope and David Cottingham took off for a local flight.
During the day, Stu Procter and Guy Adams in Falke (G-BKVG) and James Hood in Falke (G-CDSC) returned from the LAA fly in at Sywell Airfield - following which William Pope and David Cottingham took off for a local flight.
With a total of 55 winch launches, 14 aerotows and in excess of 50 hours soaring it was indeed a good day for the first day of Autumn. Thanks everyone. - Mike Sloggett
