Sunshine all day and conditions rather better than forecast with thermals from almost the first launch until fatigue and diminishing numbers drew a long day to a close. 33 flights and over 20 hours flying including two out and return 300km flights by Ron & Dan Johns in 711 and Simon Minson in SM to Chieveley Services north of Newbury.
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| North Hill Airfield - end of July and not even slightly brown yet! (Peter Smith) |
An early dilemma over a light tailwind delayed the first launch for a trip to the western windsock where conditions were more favourable, so we resisted the temptation to change ends before starting flying and thus it remained.
Minimal headwind meant only a short window to find and centre on thermals but a good training day for finding and using thermals for several of our younger (and some not so young) members . The forecast sea air didn’t materialise. Paul Summers flew the 3 booked trial lesson visitors, all enjoying extended flights.
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| Wall to wall sunshine (Peter Smith) |
Glenn Turpin stepped in at short notice to share the instructing workload and James Flory helped when not flying the tug enabling us to fly almost everyone by close of play, apologies to anyone who didn’t get airborne. A really good day, thanks to all who helped, particularly including our launch marshalls David Wojnar who didn’t fly and did a long stint in the winch in the afternoon and Chris Woodward who managed the afternoon session very efficiently. - Peter Smith
O/R to Chieveley 305kms
SM
"Great day out with 711, low and weak across the Somerset levels, conditions improved from Keevil onwards, good solid climbs to 5500QNH giving a good run into Tp, and return to around Trowbridge.
Looking towards home (across the levels) the sky looked challenging, and it was ! Needed a climb at Taunton to get home, thankfully Taunton gave a good 3Kt to run home." - Simon Minson
711
"Slow start Devon cloudbase 2200ft, poor over Somerset levels, big improvement from Westbury .
Getting home proved the usual challenge with a southerly airflow knocking out any convection from Glastonbury. Low save once we got onto the high ground of the Black Downs. Close one but very enjoyable…I think !" - Ron Johns
W7
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| W7 landing safely at Smeatharp (Wyn Davies) |
"Landed at Smeatharp airfield. Learner drivers on runway, so landed safely at edge of "peas" with right wing on tarmac. Thanks Stirling for putting it in the trailer with me. " Wyn Davies
