Saturday 4th April

A cold front cleared through in the early hours providing a bright sunny day. The cold w/nw wind gave plenty of streeting with cloudbase about 3000' above North Hill and plenty of soaring. But all reported that lift was inconsistent, with lots of "good looking" cu producing no lift, resulting in one or two uncomfortable moments.

Thursday 2nd April

Early morning mist and low cloud took a dissappointingly long time to burn off, and when it did, after lunch, visability was not a lot better. Dave and Colin took off in the Falke and soared to 1000' overhead the field, pleased with the thought that they might be the only people up there. However they were tempted to file an Airprox incident with a very large buzzard.

Wednesday 1st April

An area of high pressure was drifting across the north North Sea, bringing it's typical anticyclonic haze and gloom across us in a chilly, fresh north easterly wind. But it was soarable, some learning that speed control without a horizon was tricky, others wondering where the world had gone.
Tim and Joe went out with Simon in the Falke to perfect their field landing techniques, and Tim got his Bronze exam signed off. Well done to both of you.

Sunday 29th March

WOW! What a super day.
After yesterday's disappointing strong winds, the forecasts were spot-on with a cold ridging airmass for superb thermals. Cloud bases on the peninsula were up to 6000ft AMSL, with sea breeze fronts staying close to both north and south coasts. Reports suggest that it was better west of North Hill than to the east.
Many cross-countries around 100-200kms in the area north of Dartmoor towards Barnstaple.
Cheryl converted to the Junior and to celebrate soared for over an hour to 5000ft, (next time with a logger).
82 launches including 18 aerotows kept everybody busy.

Saturday 28th March

A cold blustery northerly enabled mainly circuits only. John P in the Junior made a dash to explore the North ridge and managed to pick up some thermals.

Thursday 26th March

The cold front did not clear until lunch time, and then only to showers and a very strong blustery westerly wind. So no flying.
The few of us at the Thursday Morning Tea Drinking Group gathered around the computer to work our way through the new "Safe Winch Launching" bit on the BGA website. Watching the video clips of simulated winch launches not reaching their wished for final outcome bought the point home. Working through the quiz was a very useful tutorial.
We then had lunch and went home.

Thursday 19th March

Most of the Thursday regulars started flying under a clear blue sky and cold easterly wind, it was circuits all day except for a little soar by Joe, Matt and three buzzards just as one of the inversions broke - good opportunity for training and check flights. Joe converted to the Junior, and Ian enjoyed a 4000ft aerotow for spin checks in the DG 505.

Wednesday 18th March

The enthusiastic Wednesday regulars were at the club early and were setup in good order, but the remnants of a weak front were slow to burn off. John Street not wanting to waste the chance quickly press-ganged a few members into some hole-filling duties, while waiting for the fog to clear.

Dave and Carl finished off the C of A on the DG and rigged it ready for the Thursday crowd, while Joe had some help installing lights in the Tug hangar so that the tuggies won't be left in the dark.

Flying was fairly slow paced in the very poor visibility and a good few cable break practices were performed. Not much soaring was on offer, with highlights being the chance of doing hanger landings at the end of the afternoon.

All in all a very pleasant day out in the fresh air.

Sunday 7th March

Flying was short lived and 'interesting' as the very blustery wind became too strong and accompanied by squally showers of rain/sleet/hail!
Work went on in the glider workshop and the CFI held an impromptu Instructors brief.

Sunday 1st March

A Cold front had gone through on Saturday leaving a cold west north-westerly airstream. Streets set up during the morning from coast to coast. Some wave interference was shown by lower cloudbases and no lift along sections of the streets. All the available Club fleet and 8 private gliders enjoyed the streets which lasted all day.