With the continuing ‘lockdown rules’ preventing two-seater flying - this has understandably reduced the number of members turning up to fly at North Hill.
However, there were enough keen solo pilots arriving for the launch point vehicle to be taken down to the North West corner whilst a K21 and a Junior were taken out of the hangar. With a reasonable weather forecast but suggesting limited thermal activity there was little interest from private owners in towing their gliders down to the other end of the airfield, so much fettling could be seen to be going on in the glider paddock.
Meanwhile flying had started under a cloudbase of not much higher than circuit height and as ever it was a question of catching the first thermal off the winch launch otherwise it was simply an extended circuit as a reward for getting to the top of the launch.
Late morning the wind had developed more of a Westerly component so the decision was made to change ends. With an improving sky and a launch point closer to the glider paddock soon various private owners were towing out their gliders to see if the sky was as good as it had started to look. And with more members turning up to fly and a lengthening flying list, the Perkoz was brought out of the hangar for the rest of the day.
However, there were enough keen solo pilots arriving for the launch point vehicle to be taken down to the North West corner whilst a K21 and a Junior were taken out of the hangar. With a reasonable weather forecast but suggesting limited thermal activity there was little interest from private owners in towing their gliders down to the other end of the airfield, so much fettling could be seen to be going on in the glider paddock.
Meanwhile flying had started under a cloudbase of not much higher than circuit height and as ever it was a question of catching the first thermal off the winch launch otherwise it was simply an extended circuit as a reward for getting to the top of the launch.
Late morning the wind had developed more of a Westerly component so the decision was made to change ends. With an improving sky and a launch point closer to the glider paddock soon various private owners were towing out their gliders to see if the sky was as good as it had started to look. And with more members turning up to fly and a lengthening flying list, the Perkoz was brought out of the hangar for the rest of the day.
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| Perkoz was brought out (Mike Sloggett) |
The afternoon saw much ‘scratching’ in the skies around the airfield which meant busy thermals due to cloudbase not being very high, but the most was made of what was available. Late afternoon with everyone having flown it was time to put the gliders and ground equipment away to end a pleasant if unspectacular day.
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| Private owners grid (Simon Minson) |
Pete Startup (Discus 230), Simon Minson (ASW20 SM), Wyn Davies (LS7 W7), Mark Wallis (Open Cirrus CEC) and Jeff Taberham (Mosquito 380) enjoyed getting their gliders into the air.
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| Strange patterns on the levelled area (Simon Minson) |
During the day James Flory and Guy Adams had separate flights in Falke VG. - Mike Sloggett
And in the evening, the Condor racers Matt Howard, David Clements, Geoff Lawrence and John Davis all completed their Silver distance race to The Park - well done all. - J&P
