Thurs 10th March

 The morning was spent waiting for a wandering front to clear the area, it took all morning. But meantime the windsock was replaced with a new one, and the drive was cleared of tree debris from the recent storms. 

In the simulator, various training exercises were flown by several members, some launch failures, circuit planning, general handling and a little blast of ridge and wave soaring in the Alps. 

Pete Harmer supervising training in the simulator (Jill Harmer)

A pitch inspection just before lunchtime confirmed that the airfield had dried out sufficiently and a wind surprisingly almost down the field at launch height, just waiting for the southerly orographic to clear.

Just after the first circuit, there was a surprise radio call  from Ian Mitchell requesting a flyby in the Harvard, which was followed by a chase plane Lancair. 

Harvard flyby (John Borland)

 Training, check flights and solo flying continued in the benign conditions with extended circuits using the south ridge.  Late afternoon some scruffy cumulus formed and Chris Wool with new member James Dyke enjoyed some weak thermals in K21 having practised in the simulator earlier. We also welcomed John Allan from Dartmoor GS who had some North Hill familiarisation flights with Pete Harmer, also having practised some launch failures in the simulator in the morning. 

It turned out quite nice (Jill Harmer)

 Chris and James had the longest flight 24mins with Pete Startup (unusually) only managing 20 mins. A very pleasant afternoon with just 17 launches due to the late start, but at least everyone flew. - J&P