The weather to date in 2021 has been varied with actual weather versus forecasts often quite different.
Today it was again a question of whether the forecast would be accurate - if the weather was slightly worse than forecast no flying would be likely but if the weather was slightly better than forecast some flying might take place, during the morning at least.
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| Making the most of the early good conditions (Mike Sloggett) |
James Flory, as Duty Instructor for the morning, put out a suitable note on GG and those members who were there first thing were optimistic that the latter might transpire. With blue skies and a light South Westerly wind it was evident that making the most of the favourable conditions would be essential before the wind strengthened and the rain showers arrived if the forecast proved accurate. By the time that the winch and launch point had been set up, with both K21s and a Junior walked across to the North East side of the airfield, the wind had indeed freshened to the extent that a Yellow card rating was set for flying.
James and Mike Sloggett started to work their way through the flying list with the brisk South West wind providing full height launches to over 1500 feet and with one launch achieving 1900 feet. As the morning progressed, so the wind strengthened further making the approach over the East end trees even more “interesting” with James and Mike independently deciding that a Blue card rating was now appropriate.
James and Mike Sloggett started to work their way through the flying list with the brisk South West wind providing full height launches to over 1500 feet and with one launch achieving 1900 feet. As the morning progressed, so the wind strengthened further making the approach over the East end trees even more “interesting” with James and Mike independently deciding that a Blue card rating was now appropriate.
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| Work to start on the next area for levelling very soon (Mike Sloggett) |
The conditions allowed Charlie Stuckey to achieve his Yellow Card rating and for others general flying experience. By late morning with most members having flown and with increasing likelihood of the rain on the horizon reaching the airfield fairly soon a decision was made to put the gliders safely away in the hangar.
The ground equipment was left out in the hope that the afternoon weather might improve to allow more flying to take place but unfortunately with more rain showers evidently on the way and with the forecast suggesting the potential for thunderstorms around the airfield it was decided that the gliders should be left in the hangar.
A day of two halves with as much flying as could sensibly be achieved with the weather as it was today. - Mike Sloggett
The ground equipment was left out in the hope that the afternoon weather might improve to allow more flying to take place but unfortunately with more rain showers evidently on the way and with the forecast suggesting the potential for thunderstorms around the airfield it was decided that the gliders should be left in the hangar.
A day of two halves with as much flying as could sensibly be achieved with the weather as it was today. - Mike Sloggett
