There was hope after wet Wednesday, that flying might be possible on Thursday. Following a pitch inspection, the gliders were prepared for aerotow-only operation. But then the sky got darker and darker and the rain started. So it was back for coffee, and CFI Mark and Instructor Development Chris spent some time in the Club Simulator conducting an evaluation of which flying training exercises can be simulated with our current club setup.
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| Rain stopped play, before it even started (Mark Layton) |
Once the rain had passed, it was all systems go with 6 Instructors, 5 Tug Pilots taking turns and Robert looking after the Trial lesson visitor, using the 3 available two-seaters and a Junior.
By 13:00, the conditions had improved to provide some lift, although there were no clouds as markers initially, but the ridge started kicking off the thermals. Pete and Geoff Lawrence were the first to benefit by pushing out to the north.
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| Cumulus started building nicely (Mike Horwood) |
"Left my gadgets at home today(plonker), so my plan when the showers stopped was to bimble upwind to have a look at the new turnpoints we put around North and West Exmoor this year. Conditions deteriorated going West, hardly surprising in a WNW wind and resulting in a tricky patch around South Molton, but navigating using that paper thingy when the TP's aren't marked on it and hidden in the gnarly valleys of Exmoor was interesting. Beautiful over Exmoor though." Pete Startup 230
Eric Alston turned Knowstone and Chard:
"Set to do the Club 100, North North, Knowstone, North Tawton. Turned Knowstone, the sky was becoming broken, so headed east, turned Chard and then headed for home. Pleasant changed from the recent bad weather." Eric Alston G29
Wyn Davies completed Tiverton and Crewkerne:
"Following the morning showers, conditions improved through the afternoon. club 100 was underset, but very pleased to get a cross country flight after what has seemed a slow start to 2023" Wyn Davies W7"
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| Pawnee turning round quickly on 1500ft tows (Mark Layton) |
And soaring continued until everyone had flown - 22 reduced price aerotows in all, with Joel Roulson and Tom Gunner enjoying some Easter holiday soaring with the Thursday Regulars, at last a decent half-day, thanks all - J&P
