Given the long run of anticyclonic gloom that has beset the UK in recent weeks, there was a surprisingly small number of members gathered at the club this fine Sunday morning but we had enough to warrant breaking out the kit. KEK remains u/s while we wait for some German folks to fashion some canopy support arms but HCX supported by the Perkoz and a Junior (plus a couple of private gliders) were more than adequate to get everyone airborne.
Duty Instructor Peter Field held the morning briefing and by the time we were set up and ready to fly the canopies had just about stopped misting and we got going. The field was still surprisingly soggy but I think we all did a good job of going easy on it. The wind, though strengthening and gusting a little through the day was westerly, straight down the track and very gentle in the morning. The improving sky enabled Mike Rigby and James Flory to take an early aerotow to 3,000ft in order to undertake spin and stall refresher. Added to some launch failures, this got Mike his red card! (ed: Well done Mike). The day saw regular use of Alan Rappaport and BumbleBee as well as frequent motorglider activity and a decent launch rate on the winch too.
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| KEK looking on, Launch Control at the end of the rainbow (DSGC North Hill cafe) |
Club stalwarts such as Ron Johns, Pete Startup, JB and Martin Woolner were all present for the decent conditions. As expected, there wasn’t a huge amount of lift around but the still conditions meant that it was possible to stay afloat for reasonable periods.
Vikki and her little helper kept everyone fed and watered in style. Fading light, approaching showers and dropping temperatures brought an early end to activities but our instructors got through the 2-seater list and all the solo flyers got away too.
Aside from Monday, the forecast this coming week looks mostly fine and dry so let’s hope we can keep this run of flyable conditions going. - Mike Rigby
