The prediction of a nice warm and sunny day, based on the previous evening’s forecast, turned out to be slightly awry as a weather front moved across the South West in the early hours of Thursday. So members arrived at the airfield under grey skies, with the lack of sun and the forecast Westerly brisk wind seeing jumpers, coats and hats aplenty.
Morning briefing completed the winch run was set up for the Northerly side of the airfield to make the best use of the launching and landing areas at the East end of the airfield. Both K21s, the DG505 and a Junior were soon being walked across to the launch point, daily inspections having been completed, and with the sun and blue skies starting to appear above the airfield.
Chilly west wind in the sunshine (Mark Courtney)
The first launch of the day, just after 10am, a met flight by Mike Sloggett and Ashley Thomas, saw a rope break at the top of the launch - with a thermal right above the winch and the rope needing to be sorted out it seemed rude not to make the most of the ‘lucky thermal’, so the met flight was slightly longer than originally planned.
The approach and landing made it an easy decision to put up a Yellow flag which limited use of the Junior but with Mike, Chris Wool and Steve Westlake working their way through the flying list steady progress was made. Dave Perriam looked after the day’s trial lesson visitors and an early arrival for next week’s Course keen to get into the air.
Happy Trial lesson visitor with Dave Perriam (Mark Courtney)
During the morning whether gliders stayed up depended on the timing of the winch launch against the arrival of thermals which unsurprisingly were moving quite quickly across the sky in the brisk wind. The ridge was also working ‘here and there’.
A short lunch break over, the afternoon continued with the thermals in plentiful supply but with patches of strong sink ready and waiting to catch the unwary.
Throughout the day starting the circuit with some height in reserve ‘just in case’ was a sensible plan for handling pilots with final turns being made at a good height ensuring a ‘high energy positive use of airbrake’ approach and resultant safe landing.
Nice looking sky to the East of North Hill (Mike Sloggett)
The forecast had been for the wind strength to increase as the day unfolded so no surprise that a blue flag was raised mid-afternoon - and late afternoon with the flying list having just been completed both Mike and Mark came to the same conclusion that the wind strength was now such that continuing to fly was outside the ‘risk v reward’ equation. So gliders were returned to the hangar and Thursday evening flying reluctantly cancelled.
A good day with some ‘interesting’ flying to be had. - Mike Sloggett
