A promising forecast certainly drew a crowd with hanger unpacked and DIs largely done by the time I arrived as duty instructor shortly after 9:00am. Despite the gentle northwesterly wind, the field was laid out on the north side to try and get the longest run.
John Sillett joined me as a masked backseat driver and the likes of Ashley Thomas and Trevor Russell were given checks to go solo and the Juniors kept busy with the list of those wanting to keep current. The Perky was used to amuse those current and the DG505 allowed Barbie and Mike to keep to their household bubble and fly.
The clear blue skies filled with some convection clouds that inevitably clumped and got damp later but allowed for some thermalling midday. Flights extended out to 30 mins or so and we almost got the whole fleet in the air at once.
Usual supporting stuff from James Flory who tirelessly assisted DLM Tim Johns keeping the launch point buzzing. Tim did a grand job and delays kept to a minimum. Long stints on the winch from David Wojnar and Rob Hender and with the longer run 1500’ launches were obtained. Glenn Turpin took over DI staff of office for the pm slot, ground based but ever smiling he kept the flow going.
Ridge, thermal and possibly wave kept the interest high along with rainbows and a stunning sunset. Visibility with the low sun heading south was poor but common sense and good lookout kept things tidy.
After being flown it was nice to fly myself and enjoy nearly an hour at the end of the day in that sweet spot twixt 600ft and 700ft on the ridge. There have to be some perks for instructing...
With largely benign conditions and some leeway on cards I hope most got the flying they wanted and went home with a smile, I know I did! Thanks to all, apologies if not mentioned. - John Pursey
