Wednesday 21st April
The forecast promised much, private owners rigged before the launch point was set up, people took time off work, on the expectation that it would be better than yesterday.- But here in the South west peninsula there was not a cumulus in sight. Plenty of cirrus turned the blue sky to white haze and a substantial inversion at 2500ft QFE. During the afternoon there were some fairly good smooth, strong thermals if you bumped into them. Nobody ventured very far - the fallback tasks were scrubbed - even the buzzards weren't flying. Meanwhile, club training flights enjoyed the day.
Tuesday 20th April
Another great day for the second day of the EUGC mini-course. The day started very cold, and ragged cloud at about 1200' was visible before 10:00. Any lift was unusable, the clouds grew quickly and looked quite black and menacing, but it all broke up and cloud base rose very quickly to 4500' QFE with 6-8 knot thermals all afternoon. All the students had their fill, Rowan had 90 minutes in a K21 then climbed into a Junior and soared that as well, Ed converted to the Junior and soared that, Joao completed his Bronze checks (only the exams now) after 90 minutes in a Junior. Mark and Andrew progressed well through their training. Many thanks go to Les, Dick, Dave, Francis and Wendy for helping on the ground and with the winch, to Pete and Robin for instructing and H for preparing the lunches.
Dave was out in AM again and completed as many lengths of the Lyme Bay to Chivenor cloud street that he could in 4 hours at 75 knots. The Cirrus appreciation society spent the day in the workshop doing the annual on Joe D's recently aquired model.
Lisa took over the field at about five o'clock for an aerotow trial lesson evening, the course retired to the Keeper's.
Dave was out in AM again and completed as many lengths of the Lyme Bay to Chivenor cloud street that he could in 4 hours at 75 knots. The Cirrus appreciation society spent the day in the workshop doing the annual on Joe D's recently aquired model.
Lisa took over the field at about five o'clock for an aerotow trial lesson evening, the course retired to the Keeper's.
Monday 19th April
First day of EUGC mini-course - weather similar to yesterday, blue in the morning, stonking thermals to 3600ft (but no convergence).
A lot of progress was made, Ed resoloed following checks, Joao completed his 50 solos and started Bronze checks, Rowan had his first solo soaring flight and then converted to Junior. Andrew, David and Mark E continued training flights.
A lot of progress was made, Ed resoloed following checks, Joao completed his 50 solos and started Bronze checks, Rowan had his first solo soaring flight and then converted to Junior. Andrew, David and Mark E continued training flights.
Sunday 18th April
A slightly slow start as we had to change ends almost immediately. There was a long two-seater list and a shortage of instructors. The blue hazy sky didn't look too promising initially, but Cu started popping about 12:00, and the day became nicely soarable, but the cross country pilots reported that it was fairly localised. Pete St (230) struggled to get east several times and then decided to visit CFI's turnpoint at MUD. Dave(AM) took a tour of the three Devon gliding sites and a bit of Cornwall.
The sea air came in about 17:00 from both coasts forming a nice convergence over the site providing soaring 'til gone 18:00 to 3600ft. There were 2 trial lessons and we welcome new member Dave. There were 40 launches for 22 members, Henry (CVV), Paul (KHA) and Trevor (DG1) all flew for more than 2 hours.
The Official Observer has confirmed swallows have returned, and there were plenty of flies out today to greet them.
The sea air came in about 17:00 from both coasts forming a nice convergence over the site providing soaring 'til gone 18:00 to 3600ft. There were 2 trial lessons and we welcome new member Dave. There were 40 launches for 22 members, Henry (CVV), Paul (KHA) and Trevor (DG1) all flew for more than 2 hours.
The Official Observer has confirmed swallows have returned, and there were plenty of flies out today to greet them.
Saturday 17th April
It was blue and soarable.....there were 55 launches with 25 members and 4 private gliders - anymore info please?
Friday 17th April 2010 Portmoak Tales
Friday's promised westerlies arrived just before lunch time and Nick Harrison leaped into the Oly and completed his Silver 5 hr duration and height badges, climbing in the wave which set up later in the afternoon. Congratulations dude!
Thursday 15th April
A stiff North easterly breeze persists and welcomed the Thursday crowd. The usual leisurely start with launches to 1200ft broken cloudbase for the morning. Our new Skylaunch winch arrived in time for lunch, and following swapping ropes from the loaned Skylaunch to our new one, launching continued through the afternoon. Although there were some beautiful looking cumulus the wind broke up the thermals and cloudbase was only 2000ft. Thanks to Pete the Winch from Skylaunch for delivering our new winch with a 10 hour round trip.
Our new Skylaunch winch on the right, alongside its 'brother' kindly loaned by the company for the last few weeks.
And that well known and hardworking tuggie looks for a way to lengthen the aerotow queues.
Our new Skylaunch winch on the right, alongside its 'brother' kindly loaned by the company for the last few weeks.
And that well known and hardworking tuggie looks for a way to lengthen the aerotow queues.
Wednesday 14th April
A cold N/E wind and overcast sky kept all but the hardy away, the rest of the Wednesday crowd are at Portmoak sunning themselves, even so we had a very useful day.
We welcomed Joe back from NZ and he managed a soaring flight it was only 7500ft less than he managed down under but he didn't have his camera on him this time to record it!
Also we had three new members flying today Jeff, Chris and a member from Eaglescott.
The swallows that were around last Thursday have vanished we all looked out for them, a prize was even offered for the first sighting but to no avail.
Late in the afternoon the thermals arrived and all the flights after 4pm were soaring flights, Tim had the longest flight of 64min. - JSt
We welcomed Joe back from NZ and he managed a soaring flight it was only 7500ft less than he managed down under but he didn't have his camera on him this time to record it!
Also we had three new members flying today Jeff, Chris and a member from Eaglescott.
The swallows that were around last Thursday have vanished we all looked out for them, a prize was even offered for the first sighting but to no avail.
Late in the afternoon the thermals arrived and all the flights after 4pm were soaring flights, Tim had the longest flight of 64min. - JSt
Wednesday 14 April 2010 Portmoak Tales
Nick H spotted the improving weather and after cajoling some helpers into action, got the 505 to the launch point and had a soaring flight with JB in the late afternoon sun, as did Peter G.
Tuesday 13 April 2010 Portmoak Tales
Tuesday did not hold much promise, but Peter W took some punters into the air in the 505 and explored the eastern flanks of Vane hill, where clive managed 40 min in the Oly and climbed to the base of the grey overcast at 2200'. Those that didn't fly, climbed Bishop or went out touristing.
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