The fact that the first flight of the day was just gone 5pm will tell the story of today’s weather....
The day had started with low cloud as forecast but with the usual optimism of all glider pilots that the weather would improve later to allow some flying - and on the basis that the only change would be for the better, the ground equipment and three gliders were brought out of the hangar and daily inspections completed.
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| Fogged out in August (Mike Sloggett) |
Unfortunately as the morning progressed the change in the weather was for the worst in fact it fogged out - and therefore the morning was spent discussing various aviation topics, drinking tea and coffee, with Mark Courtney completing a Field Selection briefing for some of those present. New member Iain Fairbairn sampled the skies in the simulator with Pete Harmer. But 16year old Dan Hender, keen to complete his Cross-country endorsement, has to wait for better weather.
Lunchtime came and went with as ever weather forecasts being regularly studied for any sign of brighter weather arriving from the West.
As the afternoon continued, and with minimal optimism of any flying, the gliders were put away but for some reason a small group of members seemed to be ‘stuck to the verandah area’, and as the sky started to get a little brighter with a suggestion that late afternoon might just provide some flying the few continued to peer westwards hoping to see a suitably high cloudbase appear.
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| Glimmers of hope (Mike Sloggett) |
Shortly after 4:30 and with Mark Courtney happy to get the Pawnee out, soon James Flory and Mike Sloggett were getting the same three gliders back out of the hangar!
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| Pawnee in action (Mike Sloggettt) |
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| Great stripes! Thank you to the grass-cutting team (Mike Sloggett) |
