Tues 26th September - Long Mynd

 The forecast for Tuesday was not good with a strong south to SSW wind and low cloud initially.- It wasn’t wrong. The morning briefing suggested flying would be possible by late morning improving during the afternoon as the wind went further west. Morning coffee and cakes called and a visit was made to Church Stretton. 

Some of the gang on the bench in Church Stretton (Rob Hender)

 The Mynd K13’s were the first to fly just before midday. Six short flights followed. The wind strengthened and veered more  to the west. The sky looking more promising.

Waiting to go (Mark Courtney)

 The DG505 launched with Mark Courtney and Simon Leeson and didn’t  come straight back down. From this point, flight durations steadily improved, however problems with an ever increasing crosswind and a troublesome retrieve winch (replaced mid-afternoon) plagued the afternoon with the ever-patient winch driver having to retrieve the cable from the rough terrain downwind as the need for layoff became more extreme. 

Scaring the birds (Rob Hender)

 

Prize for the best layoff going to Andy Davey who also gets the prize for getting his Libelle rigged early. The prize for the worst layoff was not awarded but resulted in 35 minutes of time lost in launching as the cable was retrieved.  

Waiting (Shaun Dayman)

 

The only other North Hill single-seater rigged, Dan Hender DG200, who then had the longest flight, 2 minutes short of two hours. In all three DG505 flights one Libelle and one DG200. Stewart Henshall also flew a Mynd K13 for 96 minutes. 

Another Sunset (Simon Leeson)

 

The hangar doors were eventually closed by 18:30. Storm Agnes is promised for tomorrow!! - John Borland