That the two-seater flying list was into double figures by just after 8:30 was a reflection of general optimism as to flying happening today. The forecast suggested a day where patience might be needed first thing but that the weather would probably improve as the day unfolded.
An inspection of the airfield surface identified suitable launching and landing areas and so with an element of confidence the hangar was unpacked and gliders prepared for flight - all under a low cloudbase but with glimmers of blue skies here and there suggesting that the forecast might just be turning out to be reasonably correct. The launch point was set up on the North boundary with a landing area designed to minimise delay in launching gliders - and a morning brief completed by Mark Courtney to explain the preferred normal landing area to reduce damage to the airfield surface.
Lined up and ready at the Launchpoint (Mike Horwood)
As the skies continued to brighten the launch point was soon as full as it has been for some time with all four two-seaters and a Junior lined up ready to be launched.
Skies breaking nicely (Mike Sloggett)
All that was needed now was for the cloudbase to improve and late morning the first flight of the day was a met flight finding that cloudbase was around 500’ so a good opportunity for launch failures to be practiced if nothing else. Then slowly but surely the cloudbase continued to improve and soon the launch point was busy with gliders being launched regularly and progress starting to be made with the (by now) very long flying list.
46 winch launches today (Mike Sloggett)
There were odd bits of lift here and there which meant extended circuits from early afternoon onwards. Apart from a short lunch break flying took place all day and by shortly after 5 the flying list was completed with most members having had a couple of flights whether to maintain or regain currency.
Currency for most (Mike Horwood)
A good day had by all, thank you to everyone for the teamwork today. - Mike Sloggett
