Day 3 of our course and the weather looked promising, and so it turned out to be. After a couple of early check flights and launch failure simulations, the thermals kicked in by 10:00 and people were away soaring, off a winch launch. The staggered, but single line of glider system seemed to work well, with less hanging about and efficient launching, though the help of a decisive ground controller is a big asset. Club flying easily slotted in between course launches despite the numbers.
With the thermal base rising in the afternoon it got trickier to connect without an aerotow, so course flights became a bit shorter.
Many private gliders came out to play enjoying the cross country soaring conditions, all disappearing over the horizon to the envy of us lesser mortals.
CFI Same pose as yesterday (Jack Sewell)
All in all a very good day, with everyone getting at least one long flight during the day and all making steady progress and instructors being hassled for their training card 'ticks'.
A big thank you to Vicki and Layla, the day was very busy and they worked hard keeping us all fed and watered all day long. - Andy Pickrell
Cross-country stories
230 NH2 - Nunney - Molton - NH2 218km
"Task set to get home before the high cover/sea air ended soaring at NHL. Great run to Nunney and across Exmoor, slightly trickier around Molton where the high cover was already present, but then back to the sun and good air home.
Normally my ladder posts have 'started too early' in there somewhere - today I should have started earlier!" - Pete Startup
V5 NH2 - Molton - Okehampton - Molton- NH2 150km
"Just getting the excuses in.......on a 150km only, I had a loan car today, no tow hitch, needed to collect my car before 5pm, late on site as had to drop car off........
That should cover it I think, but it was a 300km in the SW obviously, if you got going early enough . Well done JA good flight from Dartmoor." Rich Roberts
FAJ NH2, - Knowstone - North Tawton, NH2. Club 100.
"The initial climbs were good, but became more difficult as Knowstone was approached. I got uncomfortably low after turning Knowstone and ended up regaining height after a good climb over MUD. (Jill and Pete's house) well off track. Eventually turned North Tawton then the run back to NH2 became much easier." John Borland
