I set out to the Club this morning in bright sunshine, looking forward to the day's flying. As my journey progressed along the A30, sunshine turned to cloud, which turned into fog, and then back into low cloud by the time I reached North Hill. After Course introductions, we set up the field then waited not very patiently for the orographic cloud to lift.
The morning's flying started at 11am: Tim Butler progressed his pre-solo training under Mike Sloggett's expert tuition, while Chris Coville (Prodigal returned from The Park) had check flights with Pete Smith. Pete was suitably impressed and Sir Chris flew solo in the K21 just before lunch. Meanwhile, Dave Perriam notched up some more flights in the Junior.
The morning's flying started at 11am: Tim Butler progressed his pre-solo training under Mike Sloggett's expert tuition, while Chris Coville (Prodigal returned from The Park) had check flights with Pete Smith. Pete was suitably impressed and Sir Chris flew solo in the K21 just before lunch. Meanwhile, Dave Perriam notched up some more flights in the Junior.
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| Sir Chris back solo (Mike Sloggett) |
With lunchtime came rain, which cleared around 2pm so then we only had to wait for the low cloud to clear again. Pete gave new junior member Reuben Renton some lessons in the simulator while Mike conducted Ground School with Mike Meatyard and Tim.
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| Low cloud starting to break (Mike Sloggett) |
By 4pm, the cloud had lifted enough to allow launch failure practice, which the two Mikes took advantage of. Tricksy instructor Pete convinced me that we would also practise launch failures, but then left me to pull my own bung to avoid the cloud. Eventually, the cloud broke enough to allow full height launches: Reuben enjoyed his first real flights with Pete, Chris and Dave had a flight each in the Junior, and I took the last cable for a solo in the K21.
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| Chris and Dave keeping the Junior busy (Mike Sloggett) |
Thanks to course helpers William Pope, James Smart and Andrew Logan, as well as unofficial helper Andy Williams for keeping everything running smoothly. - Ruth Comer
