A limited number of pilots arrived first thing, with a question mark over whether there was a duty instructor for the am slot. However, James Flory kindly stepped in after arriving back from a flight in G-BKVG. But with some low orographic cloud arriving, a met flight was taken at 10:40am, and with cloudbase reported as 500ft the decision was made to pause for a teabreak, when a number of bacon baps were consumed. Flying resumed at about 12:00 and progress was made through the list, with FZF in constant use by the solo pilots.
Junior launching library pic (Andy Mayson)
Ian Mitchell took over instructing and working through the list for the afternoon (meaning James actually left on time for a change!). With four Trial Lesson flights being shared between Tom Sides and Robert Lee. JB took a launch in JB at 13.22 and came back over three hours later.
By 2pm the conditions were improving and flights were getting longer, so pilots were having to be called back to make sure everyone could fly.
Hans Jenssen managed 64mins, Ruth Comer did 51 mins before being called down, Stirling Melhuish lasted 101 mins well deserved after all his time and effort with the winch earlier this week.
Peter Warren kindly took a visiting instructor pilot from Keevil up for a flight, then sent him solo. While Dan Hender took his opportunity with Ian being on duty, and took an aerotow to do some aerobatic training, and was signed off on basic manoeuvres.
Thank you to everyone that helped during the day, we had limited numbers, but a successful day. - Sally Hender
