Once again North Hill was blessed with a crisp blue morning sky, driving an early and productive start to the days flying. By half past nine five club gliders plus the K6 was rigged and ready to soar.
Cloud to the west had prevented Mark Courtney and Simon Leeson from landing at Brentor but the sun still shone over North Hill. A morning of check flights and simulated launch failures began with three instructors kept busy throughout the morning. Pockets of cumulus indicated the growing of some light thermals, mixed with very strong sink. Some did manage to find the lift, and Josh Funnell was awarded longest flight of the day in the K6 at 55 minutes.
Junior pilot Harvey Skeggs was introduced to cable breaks for the first time by Simon Minson and Stuart Thomson was given an introductory day to gliding by John Sillett before his place on the course next week.
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| Charlie Stuckey P1 back seat with Josh Funnell (Mark Courtney) |
However the wind began to swing more and more to the south delivering cooler air from the sea. The sink became much stronger and as a result a few gliders were forced to turn in early on their approaches. But this short spell of sink then turned into some light thermic activity dotted around the ridge. Charlie Stuckey was checked out for back seat flying in the Perkoz by Mark. In an historic moment Charlie was cleared to fly the Perkoz as P1 from the rear seat with Josh taking the front seat. Finally after years of training two Juniors and best mates could fly together.
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| Busy day at North Hill (Mark Courtney) |
Pete Harmer climbed up on the hangar roof to replace the weather station that had been struggling to report humidity for a while.
Thanks to everyone who helped make today possible in some varied conditions. More than 50 launches in total. - Jack Raybould
