Unusually very few pre-solo pilots today. Rather low cloud base with a threat of rain to begin with, but once we saw a few private gliders being rigged, we sensed there must be a chance of good soaring conditions.
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| Blue sky at times (Emma Kendall) |
Soon enough, the cloud lifted and a steady westerly activated the ridge. Next the thermals kicked off and had pilots extending beyond the ridge and out towards Cullompton, while nimbly dodging the cloud and showers.
There were plenty of instructors around: Phil Morrison to
kick off, our CFI, John Sillett, James Flory, Paul Summers, Ian Mitch,
Peter Smith, Ron Johns all helping out in the afternoon.
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| Cloudy at times (Emma Kendall) |
Pete Startup 230, Simon Minson (SM whose electrics threw a wobbly), Eric Alston G29 and Rich Roberts from Dartmoor GS V5 flew. Rowan did some more stuff in the Falke with Ian and VG was well utilised by several punters.
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| DG505 in circuit (Emma Kendall) |
Ridge worked for a while but went soft as the wind slowly backed and there was the tiniest hint of wave out from the ridge. A bit like Portmoak, one minute it was clear, the next a lot of orographic around which seemingly formed in seconds. Quite showery to start with which is why the privates didn't launch until nearly midday.
A busy day with nearly 40 launches and HCX was derigged for its Annual at the end of the day.- Emma Kendall (soon to be moving to RAF Leeming) / Phil Morrison / Pete Startup
