After another wipe out during the week for rain / wind, it was a bright sunny morning following a cold frosty night with a cold northwesterly airflow set the scene for some really good thermal soaring flights.
The two-seaters were in high demand, and thankfully James Flory was able to cover for Mark Courtney who is sunning himself in Lanzarote. In the afternoon James was pleased to see Steve Westlake arrive for his duty and the two of them managed to get through the flying list with lots of check flights, cable break practice and some good soaring flights as well.
It was good to see Lukasz back to gliding after his DLM duty in the morning, following a temporary cross to the dark side (Power flying!)
The single seaters and a K21 solo were equally in demand with Chris Coville surprised to get in 40 mins soaring so early in the day, followed by George Sanderson, Paul Medlock and Chris Warnes, Charlie Stuckey, Josh Funnell, Andrew Broderick and Mike Harris, all having soaring flights.
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| Lovely Devon sky (Stewart Henshall) |
In the afternoon, the Juniors were less in demand, Ruth Comer enjoyed over an hour, and Stewart Henshall was able to fill his boots for over 3 hours, venturing out to Tiverton and Wellington. Hans Jenssen with his turn in the DG 100 also clocked up 3 hours - cross-country endorsement beckons......
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| Chesil Beach (John Burrow) |
Cross-country pilots were a little depleted with many private owners up at Portmoak but JP in his SF27 went to Crediton, Wimbleball, Sutton Bingham and return. JB bimbled round Whidden Down, Dorchester and Knowstone but Wyn was the winner of the cross-countries with a 300kms to Okehampton, Salisbury and return. OL made its first appearance of the season with a late shakedown flight following the energy to nearly Molton (sea air had come in), and Yeovil. The BGA ladder is full of visitors to Devon - some came down twice!
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| Sea breeze on the south coast (Wyn Davies) |
Thanks to Paul Summers and Chris Warnes who looked after the Trial lessons visitors. Thanks also to Stu for tugging although only 3 were needed as most got away from the winch launches - 40 in total.
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| A busy gliding day (BGA Ladder) |
WOW! what another great spring day in the sky and the swallows have been sighted.- JB & J&P
