When I came out of the caravan this morning it looked like it could be another lovely day…. until I realised that the wind was pretty much straight across the field, from the South at about 20 knots. The cloudbase wasn’t great either, so I began to get the feeling that I wouldn’t be getting any solo flying today.
When I got to the clubhouse Graham and Cheryl were busy cooking breakfasts, one of which had been bought for me! Thanks Bev.
Somebody else clearly got to the club early and got all the ground equipment out and DI’d, Thanks Dave (I think).
Whilst waiting to see how the weather panned out, Dave Perriam, in preparation of his BI training, got a short notice request from Mark Courtney to think up and present a minimum 20 minute briefing about any subject he liked. Dave was then asked to brief Mark, Simon and Dan on that subject. He chose "General Airfield Safety" and by all accounts gave a very good briefing, (Mark was even heard to say he learnt some new things)!
Even though it looked like it was going to be challenging and there were only a few club members on site, with the usual glider pilot optimism ,we decided to give it a go.
The winch was set up at the West end and the launch point in the North East. The Perkoz, KEK and LRD were readied and taken to the launch point.
Dave Perriam took the first launch in LRD at 11:02, followed by an aerotow for Paul Summers in the Perkoz. Paul was having B.I currency check flights with the AM duty instructor Simon Leeson. Dan Hender had check flights with Mark Courtney and Mark has now signed Dan off as a blue card pilot. Well done Dan!
Chris Wool and Pete Warren braved the conditions and had the longest flight of 46 minutes.
Peter Warren with Chris Wool (Chris Wool)
As I feared, I had no chance of flying solo as the conditions were considered to be “upper blue” by the CFI, which also meant that today's trial lessons had to be cancelled.
Total flights, only eight, but a productive use of a very challenging day. Thanks to those who came and tried, but couldn’t fly. It's always appreciated. - Rob Hender (birthday boy)
