Following on from yesterday’s successful return of gliding at North Hill, there was more solo flying to take place today. After a ‘socially distanced’ briefing, a few private owners rigged their gliders whilst the Club K21s and Juniors were brought out of the hangar for use by various members to enjoy their first soaring of the year.
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| Socially distanced briefing (Mike Sloggett) |
The skies were a tad grey initially and cloudbase limited some of the first aerotows to 1500’ release height, but as the day progressed then so the skies improved and aerotow release heights went to 2000’ - the Club gliders were in continuous use throughout the day with anti bacterial spray used regularly to protect pilots changing over and with everyone getting good local soaring flights.
During the day Andrew Logan (ASW15 FMS), Eric Alston (ASG29 G29), Steve Westlake (Discus FER), Ron Johns (ASH25 711) and Rowan Smith (Libelle CLM) all enjoyed the local soaring conditions.
During the day Andrew Logan (ASW15 FMS), Eric Alston (ASG29 G29), Steve Westlake (Discus FER), Ron Johns (ASH25 711) and Rowan Smith (Libelle CLM) all enjoyed the local soaring conditions.
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| Ron flying from the front seat (Mike Sloggett) |
Mark Courtney, Simon Leeson, James Hood and Ian Mitchell all re-familiarised themselves with the Pawnee, whilst both Falkes were similarly used by various members.
After a stone picking session by a small group of members before flying started, Nick Jones then spent many hours rolling the recently levelled area of the airfield just in front of the trailer park.
And a special ‘mention’ for Dan and Sally Hender who spent all day helping everyone else to fly with Dan evidently looking forward to getting ‘signed off’ for solo aerotow again soon. A good day had by all. - Mike Sloggett
For those unable to fly and wishing to keep their hand in, the Condor racing group pushed up to a 75k task, with TPs at MUD and DUL and a wind northwesterly 9knots. Conditions were good with strong wide thermals, as everyone was flying a Duo, some for the first time (unless they’d put in a bit of practice after Pete and Jill set the task the evening before.
With social distancing not a problem, Dan Hender took full advantage of Condor’s adaptable settings by flying with a virtual second pilot to shift the polar curve (ballast that doesn’t talk…bliss) and romped around the course at an average speed of 107Kph, with Matt and Phil also notching up 100+ speeds . And well done to David Clements and Geoff Lawrence for completing their longest tasks so far. Dan went back up the final leg after finishing to help John Davis get that last thermal.
There’s talk of less strong conditions for the next one… watch out for details on the Whats App group. - Geoff Lawrence (first time blogger)
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| Heading west for MUD (Condor screenshot) |
With social distancing not a problem, Dan Hender took full advantage of Condor’s adaptable settings by flying with a virtual second pilot to shift the polar curve (ballast that doesn’t talk…bliss) and romped around the course at an average speed of 107Kph, with Matt and Phil also notching up 100+ speeds . And well done to David Clements and Geoff Lawrence for completing their longest tasks so far. Dan went back up the final leg after finishing to help John Davis get that last thermal.
There’s talk of less strong conditions for the next one… watch out for details on the Whats App group. - Geoff Lawrence (first time blogger)
