The dodgy forecast must have put most members off from turning up today, and there was a slow start with Robin working his way through the short flying list. Morning DLM Andrew even found enough time between organising the team to rig his Ka6 GDE.
The day turned out better than expected and Pete St was surprised to find himself rigging Discus 230, having been put off by the dodgy forecast from bringing any gadgets and had to resort to using an m.a.p during his flight round Mudford Gate and Ilminster, the bit from Honiton to Ilminster and back in a sea breeze front.
The forecast showers never materialised and most members present enjoyed some afternoon soaring, though no great heights or distances were achieved.
Lisa converted to LS3 KMV and soared for an hour while Stu looked on, wondering whether he was going to get a turn.
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| Lisa in KMV |
Ruth was surprised to convert to her beautiful, newly acquired Libelle L18, having been put off by the dodgy forecast from bringing her own parachute (fortunately there were plenty of club spares), and after much briefing(or was it badgering?) by the assembled throng, flew 3 nicely handled flights. Much grinning was in evidence so I think she likes it!
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| Ruth in Libelle |
Congratulations to Paul C, who flew his first solo in Falke VG.
Moral of the day: forget the forecast, come and fly and bring your kit! - Ruth(with Pete S editing)
News from last day of Comp Enterprise
The task Ever Decreasing Circles was set, this consisted of rings of
20km, 40km, 60km etc radius based on NYM, you could fly to the further
circle and back to NYM and then if you wished go to a smaller circle and
do the same thing.
I chose to fly to the 40km circle with the idea to
fly the 20km if there was still time we also had a small window of only 2
and a half hours where distance would be scored to ensure everyone got
home in time for the party.
I had a relight (ed: lesson from day 1) but after the second launch
managed a lovely climb to 4000ft with the sky looking amazing to the east.
I naturally went to the north for 3 reasons: 1) There was a strong
westerly wind and I didn't fancy pushing into wind so kept across it
where possible, 2) there was a convergence line set up in that direction
and most importantly 3) I had wanted to go to Wales all week.
The
convergence line wasn't working great if at all but it allowed me to fly
without turning for a good 20km, plus the views of the Malverns was
excellent (ok, not quite Wales). After turning the 40km line, I just
couldn't find a climb and ended up gliding slowly towards some west
facing hills some 10/15km away. At this point the convergence had gone
completely and I never quite made it to the hills. After scratching
around a bit, I choose my field and was trying to work out if I would
miss the party or not, just as I came to the conclusion of no, I stumbled
into 7 up. It was very rough but after several turns attempting to
center in it, I managed to climb up to 4000ft. I could just make out the NYM
ridge and the PDA said I was 600ft above glide and the sky ahead of me
was completely blue, so I pressed on and then the 600ft turned into 400ft. Then the crushing moment that this was calculating a glide to the turnpoint 5km out
from the airfield, but I carried on pushing, arriving at the ridge just above
it. There was a bowl in the ridge that I thought had to be working, with
the rest of the ridge being across the wind it was my last hope. I
managed to get just a small kick from it of about 150/200ft, but it was
enough to allow me to land on the airfield.
So I got back from an
Enterprise task - which is a first for me, but I also got 5th place for the
day on handicap. - Liam
