We spend a lot of time each year, whether driving or as a passenger. sitting in cars at traffic lights, roadworks and general traffic jams - but maybe not as much time that glider pilots spend looking at weather forecasts trying to work out what a tomorrow or today will be like for flying.
Today’s forecast was for showers and a brisk Westerly wind, and as it happened that is pretty much what we had as actual weather today so we did not have to spend too much time trying to second guess the forecast.
The gliders were left in the hangar whilst the briefing was completed and as part of which, discussion between those present focused on various Threat and Error Management aspects - should we fly including the importance of looking after canopies and making sure that gliders were parked carefully. With ridge flying likely the opportunity was taken to discuss and remind re ‘ridge rules’.
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| Ridge Day |
With Mike Sloggett, James Flory and Peter Smith all in agreement that it was flyable the winch run was set up for the ‘traditional’ launch run of the winch in the NW corner and Launch Control next to the trailers.
And progress was soon being made with the flying list, with the morning’s conditions providing continuing opportunities for pilots of all levels of experience to have fun trying to work the ridge - with the longer flights delaying the eventual return into circuit and to fly the approach in ‘interesting conditions’.
North Hill Airfield from the ridge (Peter Smith)
Around lunchtime an imminent shower suggested that a stop for food and drink would be good use of everyone’s time and with all suitably fed and watered the afternoon’s flying continued.
By now the showers had disappeared with more and more blue skies appearing and some thermic clouds too - but as is often the case in gliding some clouds promised more than they could provide so the ridge provided a good ‘fall back’ for some pilots.
The wind was forecast to reduce in strength as the day progressed but this did not happen to the extent that late afternoon with everyone having flown that wanted to, a decision was made to put everything away.
During the day Dave Perriam took a Trial Lesson visitor for a couple of flights in the DG505 and we welcomed Dan Hayday, as a reciprocal member from Cotswold GC, who had a couple of flights with Mike Sloggett.
Great teamwork today, thanks to all for a really good day from start to finish. - Mike Sloggett
