Forecast not overly encouraging with a strong suggestion that low cloud could be sitting on the hill, certainly by late morning but possibly from the off. My trip up from the cloud-locked South Hams got suddenly much brighter by Haldon Hill and with blue skies up to the Blackdowns fingers were crossed. But orographic cloud was already clinging to the south ridge and blowing overhead. A small band with Team Batchelor as DLMs were hiding in the clubhouse watching James Flory scour the met reports looking for something positive. Having foolishly posted on Google groups about flying if at all possible I was honour-bound to be cup half-full and so we did set up the field - more for something to do than real hope. Calling Exeter tower I got a “good luck” and calling the parachute club “ you flying - really?” so the cup started to leak…
Towing to the launchpoint (John Pursey)
The Falke with Ian Mitchell and JimBob scurried off to Dunkeswell at about 300ft which didn’t help James and me one iota with the cloud height - but it didn’t look great. The only way was to try it and strangely James thought me more the type to have a go so let me take Joel Roulson for a Met ride. Luckily we caught a well timed gap and though out of sight of the winch we were in clear air to 1500ft. Great winching by Batchelor Snr! Joel pointed out we passed the low stuff around 600ft, so we were definitely in a hole. Good demo of how to keep a safe station with lower cloud but a good strong hole upwind. Keeping good speed we had a spectacular cloudscape around us (sorry no pics) and as the strands of cloud upwind closed in, we airbraked down to a closein high key at 650ft. Clearly the ridge was working but being a responsible adult I took us back! Landing I sensed that maybe it was a good decision as the cloud filled in.
A break for coffee and James to give some good “how gliders fly” chat allowed the day to make its mind up and we had the last glider away just as the rain really started.
Big thanks to all for pitching in to get Joel flying and especially Team B for winching and putting away kit in the rain! Well at least we flew. - John Pursey
