Sat 8th March

 Not sure which part of my Friday night message put people off but it was only a select few at the club house when I arrived. Shame because we did fly and it was fun!

Cloudy but not low  cloud (John Pursey)

The select few included Tristan Oxer (14) returning from a recent “first flight” experience, and usual stalwarts Shaun Dayman, Alan Turner, duty man Nick Harrison, Ashley Turner and of course James Flory.  

Tristan Oxer with John Pursey (Shaun Dayman)

 

To keep to my word about flying, we pulled two K21s to the west end and set the winch out in the middle of the field to avoid soft spots. Short-handed, we did manage to keep both 21s flying, thanks to Alan then Shaun winching and retrieving. Things got easier when we were joined by Mike Wilmott and Stuart Procter! The fresh breeze gave near 1500ft launches (thanks Alan) and with Tristan on a rapid learning curve (14..!) as we went through the effects of controls I subtly tried to work out if there was any soaring to be had! 

Looks like it should have been waving.... (John Pursey)

 

The internet forecast had suggested low cloud but in truth it was plenty high and had a vague wavy feel. No classic SE wave, however, and the with sporty approaches the fun aspect was still in doubt! With all who wanted to having flown I took Tristan’s mum....

Coat holding in the cold wind (John Pursey)

 

....who had nobly stood in the wind, coat holding, for a flight. With no wave,  I gambled on the far side of Hembury ridge and had a very pleasant 50 mins soaring the hill lift having a chat with Sheena! 

John going soaring on Hembury Hill (Shaun Dayman)

 Shame fewer folks turned up than usual, you have to be “in it to win it” as they say, but thanks to the stalwarts, I at least had fun!

The other side of Hembury Hill (John Pursey)

  PS  People forget that the other side of Hembury ridge is even steeper than the side we see from the club. Driving down to Honiton took a look at the bit that worked and it is short but a great shape. - John Pursey

Tug Hangar insulation completed (James Hood)

 And thanks to James Hood, Dave Weeks and Simon Leeson for completing the insulation of the tug hangar doors.

 

Thurs 6th March

 The forecast for Thursday was for a southerly or South Easterly wind increasing in strength during the day and highish cloud cover. Thankfully the easterly element didn’t materialize and it was certainly warmer than recently. 

Not quite the blue skies of recent days (Mike Horwood)

 

The ground equipment and three gliders were all out and DI’d before the 9:30 briefing with Ron Johns, in charge for the day. A small group assembled for the briefing without a number of the Thursday regulars, but good to see Aston Key and Geoff Lawrence in attendance after a break. After a spell of dry weather the field was dry enough  to set up the winch for a NE-SW run.

Peter Smith's latest project (Tom Sides)

Thanks to Peter Smith for installing the replacement wind sock after the winter storm damage, and to George Sanderson for installing the LED flasher in both K21s.

The first flight got away just after 10am with Ron instructing in a ASK21 and reported weak wave to the south of the field, having an extended flight of 27 minutes. Chris Wool  joined us to help with the instructing list. 

A lot of overcast (Mike Horwood)

 

Thermal activity was never going to occur but the weak wave was in evidence throughout the day. Ron recorded the longest flight of 39 minutes and there were a number of flights around half an hour. The wave rotor which was in evidence below the wave, made for some interesting moments. The southerly wind, which is always the worst direction at North Hill due to the gusts coming up the gully, made for some interesting approaches, but thankfully didn’t strengthen as forecast.  By 3pm everyone had flown at least once so an early finish was called. A total of 18 flights, 7 solo and 11 dual instructional, just short of 6 hours airborne. Not bad for a grey day. Thanks to Ron for running the day and good to see Chris back in the slightly warmer weather. He needed it warmer as he arrived on two wheels. - John Borland

Wed 5th March

 The cold frosty night turned into a thick misty morning by the time we all arrived at North Hill. The forecast was for it to clear and so it did, eventually. In the meantime five of the six club gliders were DI'd and taken to the north west launch point, we were Daily Briefed by Glenn and many cups of tea were drunk before the sky cleared enough for the first launch. 

More blue skies (Mark Layton)

 

Glenn Turpin and Pete Smith aided by Andy Pincombe worked through the two-seater flying list which was not very long as most of those present were solo pilots. Charlie West (Julian's son) had his first glider flights, Aston Key returned from a long layoff and there were two trial flights carried out by Dave Perriam and Shaun Dayman. 

The gridline (Mark Layton)

 

Flights were unspectacular and relatively short in the begin conditions with only the crosswind to contend with. The misty conditions that had plagued the start of the day were present further afield with a stunningly sharp inversion line on the horizon in all directions. Towards the end of the day it wasn't the misting canopies that halted the flying but the bright setting sun. Luckily everyone had flown at least once.

Working through the two-seater list (Dave Clements)

Despite the later than normal start there was plenty of flying to be had and enjoyed by all. Everyone worked hard all day keeping things flowing without many stoppages which was much appreciated by the instructors. - Mark Layton

Sun 2nd March

 A clear day dawned, and on the second meteorological day of spring the clouds were non-existent, the sun was shining and there was plenty of interest in flying!

The clubhouse was full and there were plenty of people to get the gliders up for flying, although there was some confusion on timings, we were set up and flying, and as the day progressed the thermals and lift got better and better and we experienced the one problem of a good flying day...  Lack of gliders!

Same as Saturday above but without the clouds (James Hood)

But we persevered and while working through the flying list was slow, by the end there were plenty of pilots that had shaken off the dust from a long winter, and here is to more flights as the weather (hopefully!) continues to improve. Thanks to all - Paul Warren (first time blogger)

Sat 1st March

The first day of Meteorological Spring  - delivered!

Clear blue skies, then wispies, and tempting looking clouds  out of reach! So James Flory was  standing in as Duty Instructor, with Stu Procter Tuggie and Andy Batchelor Duty Launch Marshall (all day).

Clouds to the south (James Hood)

 

Winching was possible with the airfield drying out in the sunny weather and  fairly strong north easterly wind. And the good forecast brought out the members and private owners in force,  with the soaring starting just before lunchtime,  Simon Minson SM, Pete Startup in 230, Rich Roberts in V5, plus the SF27  and Dan Hender rigged K6 DRE. 

Hoping the wispies work (Pete Startup)

 

Pete 230 completed a 101km out and return to Eaglescott, and Dan landed out at Brentor, but most were happy to stay local. - J&P