As Duty Instructor, but with a Friday afternoon works Xmas pub do, I was mightily relieved that James Flory did the honours broadcasting the night before and getting the field going! The forecast was really encouraging for the time of year and there was a long list by the time I joined James at 9:30. With Pete Smith also on hand and 3 two-seaters plus two Juniors, we cracked on.
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| North Hill Airfield ( John Pursey) |
The North Westerly wind gave fairly decent launches which got higher as the day wore on. Suggestions that by high key the ridge was working and by midday the thermic bumps became real thermals and Simon Minson in SM, as the sole privateer, had the longest flight of around an hour. Smiles from him and photos straight to Facebook!
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| Thermals and gaps at times ( John Pursey) |
With good gaps in the cloud the tug did good service enabling some more advanced training exercises to be performed which was excellent. By the time Stirling Melhuish took the last launch for a solo in the K21, it was already late afternoon with the ridge and possibly weak wave giving him an extended float around as the rest of the fleet was washed down and packed away.
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| Winter skyscape ( John Pursey) |
Alan Rappaport managed a couple of tows in the club EuroFox having recently done the conversion from Bumble Bee (tail wheel vs nose wheel). Welcome also to Callum Ellis who is joining us from Wolds GC having moved to Devon.
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| Duty Instructor John (John Pursey) |
A fabulous day for mid-December, hopefully more to come over Christmas. Thanks to all who helped, especially Wyn Davis who volunteered to Launch Marshall for most of the day and helped keep up the launch rate! 31 winch launches and 13 aerotows on one of the shortest days - John Pursey
With all the kit away, thoughts transferred to the evening entertainment, a Christmas Party with Sally's fun quizzes, (Thanks everyone £65 to the DSGC Charitable Trust) and a fantastic posh / retro buffet spread....
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| Fab spread of posh / retro buffet (Jill Harmer) |
.... from Vicki North Hill Cafe.
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| New Log Burner ( James Hood) |
Clubhouse full with the roaring log burner going full belt. - J&P
