It was a lovely sunny start with the high pressure over the North Sea, and a gentle easterly breeze, and RASP was saying it would be soarable - what's not to like in March.
 |
| FZF at the 'Menders' (Mike Horwood) |
There were a few issues to overcome first thing, with a wheel brake putting one Junior out of use, and some running modifications on the Perkoz. The Cable Retrieve Disco seemed to have a mind of its own wanting to go into 'Park' every time it stopped, and become immoveable (fortunately only just outside the hangar) Nick managed to find a Landrover man to take it away to fix it.
Two K21s, a Junior and the Perkoz were walked to the launchpoint at the west end with a number of private gliders being rigged. Soaring began almost immediately with a hotspot just over the sunny southfacing ridge. Martin Woolner started the private owners queue to launch and then disappeared for more than 3 hours.
 |
| Congrats to Stewart Henshall |
 |
| Dave Perriam converting to DG101 |
The conditions got really good in the very local area of the Blackdowns and the Exmoor foothills, with the higher land generating high blue thermals restricted by the Airway. But as usual fortune didn't favour all with some only getting short or extended circuits.
 |
| Work continues with the field leveling new area (Stewart Henshall) |
It was a lovely day for March after all the rain, and wind of late - hopefully a sign of things to come. 31 winch launches in total - thanks everyone - J&P
