It was a blue sky at North Hill and the mist in the valleys took a while to clear with the light south southwesterly wind. There was a good turnout of Thursday regulars with a pleasant but not very soarable forecast.
It was training circuits and simulated launch failures in the two-seaters for most of the day. There was a little soarable time over lunchtime with Mike Sloggett and new member Andy Pincombe in the Perkoz, Dave Perriam in the Junior, Mike Harris in Open Cirrus and John Pursey in the Blue Eagle.
Launch queue (Mike Horwood)
There were 2 separate genuine rope failures in the Juniors with Ashley Thomas and George Vojtisek, thought to be caused by burning through the 2nd cable on the pullout. Both were handled very well, and there is talk of some satnav to be used for cable retrieves to help keeping a straight line over the brow of the hill.
A patient wait in the queue (Mark Layton)
34 launches in all, with Mike Harris taking the prize for longest flight just over 2 hours. Thanks everyone, a lovely warm enjoyable day - start of summer? - J&P
