A crystal-clear blue sky (and emails the day before indicating the condition of the airfield had improved) meant that over 15 hopeful members,each with the usual strong desire to fly, were on site by 9.00 a.m. Prior to today, due to poor weather and a waterlogged airfield, the last flying day had been an ‘ad-hoc’ day on Monday 2nd January.
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| Simon and Stuart (Simon Leeson) |
With everyone wanting to make the most of the relatively good conditions, the ground equipment and vehicles were all present and correct by 9.00 a.m. and shortly after the gliders had their Daily Inspections. Therefore, by just after 10.00 a.m. one K21, the Perkoz, the DG505 and the Junior were at the Western end of the airfield ready for launch. Due to a slight crosswind, the day was coded as ‘Red Card’.
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| View from Pawnee as the cloud moved in (Simon Leeson) |
James Flory (D.I) and Peter Smith were instructing and as the ground remained firm until about 1 p.m., a dozen or so winch launches took place. However, to ensure the field remained unrutted, winch launching understandably ceased and from then on, the club switched to 1500 ft aerotows. The tug pilots were James Flory and Simon Leeson.
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| Good to be flying again at North Hill (Simon Leeson) |
By late afternoon with Steve Westlake, as Duty Instructor (and Peter Smith plus Glenn Turpin assisting),the continued good weather meant all pilots (20+) had either had a couple of winch launches or an aerotow. A great way to spend a day! - Karen King
