Predicting what the actual weather will be like on a particular day, when looking at the day before forecasts, can be tricky at the best of times - not least with the rather changeable weather we have seen in recent months. And such was the case on Sunday - the forecast on the day before suggested a reasonable flying day from the start and with a Westerly component for much of the day. But arriving at the airfield under grey skies with a distinct chill to the air, it was evident that the actual weather was not keeping to the forecast.
However with suitable optimism gliders were brought out of the hangar and Launch Control set up on the Northern boundary of the airfield - with the windsock showing an Easterly component just to really throw the plan for the day. As the morning briefing was taking place orographic cloud started to sweep across the airfield to also add to the ‘confusion’. Undeterred the gliders were moved across to the launch point and taking the hint blue skies started to appear- it was now a question of whether the wind direction would improve - and steadily but surely it did with Mike Sloggett and James Smart soon taking a met flight in what had now become a crosswind rather than a tailwind. And then it was on with the flying list which made steady progress during the morning.
North Hill Airfield (Mike Sloggett)
After a short lunch break to allow the few winch drivers, loggers and instructors available to recharge their batteries the afternoon allowed further progress with the flying list with the arrival of Glenn Turpin helping same. The improved weather conditions of the afternoon saw Robert Lee undertake some aerotows with the EuroFox and during the day Paul Summers looked after our trial lesson visitors.
The day’s flying was unfortunately brought to an end late afternoon, and before everyone had flown, as the few available winch drivers and loggers had done more than their fair share during the day…. Mike Sloggett
