Wed 23rd August - Junior Nationals

 Groundhog Day!!? - However this time the decision-making was a little prolonged! So we managed to make it to the clubhouse for a coffee and chat, and caught the unusual sight of a certain junior emptying bins!!

Rebriefing (Sally Hender)

 The briefing at 10am gave options of tasks A,B and C. Although at 11:25 a rebrief was called at the front of the grid suggesting Tasks D and E!!! The initial start ‘not before 12:00’ message was then put out. This was pushed back a total of seven times, the first launch finally being called at 13.45 on task B 140km! Much to the consternation of the pilots, the weather briefing this morning had advised failing conditions by 16.30!

Grid squatting (Rob Hender)

 The grid was cleared in 32 mins and the start line was announced very quickly at 14:33. As ever, our impatient young pilot started early at 14:40, along with a handful of other early birds, up the first leg of the task, all managing to keep heights of about 3000ft. 

Halfway up the second leg he took the lead keeping his speed up. Turning the second turnpoint MTD Methwold after approx 50 mins of flight. The last leg was slower into a slight wind, but Dan was first back on to the airfield, which meant when he loaded his trace he was temporarily in first place, needless to say he took a screen shot of that one!!!

First back on the airfield (Rob Hender)

Overall he came 11th for the day, a significant jump to the previous days placings, putting him 20th for the week so far, and he even got asked in the debrief as to his decision making. - Sally Hender

Wed 23rd August - Course week

 A sharp start to the day for the course and the first flight commenced around 9:40.

The conditions were very mild with a weak southerly wind. The sky was blue and clear making flights relatively short from morning to early afternoon. A lunch break was taken at around 12:30 as the regular Wednesday flying group carried on flying operations. Course flying restarted at around 13:30 with mainly planned launch failures. Flying slowed down after this as there were some difficulties with cables - thanks to Dave Perriam for changing the cable. 

Proud Dad Ivan with Joel Roulson (Peter Smith)

 

Today was a very successful day for some of the course participants as Joel (Junior member) achieved two solo flights in the early afternoon, 

 

Mike congratulates Jake Stabb

I also managed to achieve my first solo and would like to thank all instructors and ground crew that have helped me throughout my training. Julian also did a re-solo after a break from gliding since last year , so congratulations to all. 

Peter congratulates Julian West resolo (Mike Sloggett)

Everyone on the course managed to fly and gliders were passed over to the Wednesday evening crew at 18:30, - many thanks to Mike Willmott for winching all evening and not flying, as the only winch driver. - Jake Stabb (Junior Member)

Tues 22nd August - Two-seater Comp

In the early morning briefing, the meteorological forecast didn't promise much, casting doubt over the possibility of soaring for the day. Thus, a pragmatic choice was made – no task was set, and a midday rebrief was scheduled to reassess the conditions.

After a refreshing cup of tea, we reconvened for the rebrief session. Though the sky had taken on a more hopeful appearance, the persistent low cloudbase and unwavering strong winds necessitated a decision in favor of safety. Regrettably, the competition day had to be scrubbed. Yet, in the spirit of embracing the unforeseen, we seized the opportunity to inject a dash of adventurous flying into the mix.

With a gesture of encouragement, reduced-price aerotows were offered, paving the way for a unique kind of challenge. Pilots embarked on the skies, not in pursuit of a task but with an open-ended quest for soaring joy. The day's exploits weren't in vain, for rewards awaited the pilots who achieved the longest flight and demonstrated the most enterprising aerial endeavors.

AXB Blue Eagle (Connor Williams)

 As the North Hill team launched into the expanse above, the initially promising sky underwent rapid transformations, cycling through changes that were both unpredictable and fascinating. The journey of AXJ, carrying the skilled duo of Mike Armstrong and Stirling Melhuish, concluded with a graceful landing back at the Pocklington base.

BBB Yellow Eagle, Lovely field (John Pursey)

Meanwhile, the hum of DD3's engine could be heard as Phil Morrison and JB decided to utilize the iron thermal and BBB, a stalwart competitor, JP and Alan Rappaport embraced a downwind journey that ultimately led to an outlanding in the picturesque wolds.

 

East coast with Hornsea under DD3 wingtip (JB)

The end of the day marked the successful retrieval of BBB from its scenic resting place. As twilight descended, we gathered once more to share camaraderie and delectable sustenance. John Pursey, as ever, treated us to a sumptuous meal, wrapping up a day filled with unexpected turns, flying pursuits, and the enduring spirit of adventure. - Connor Williams

Tues 22nd August - Junior Nationals

 Eat, sleep, glide, repeat!!!

 Same timings as every other day, with the first launch taken at 11:55am, the challenge, a 205km task - this time the first heading towards the west for 58km. Dan was the fourth glider to launch today, so we didn’t hold out much hope of Mr Impatient starting at the back!!! 

 

Near the front of the grid today (Sally Hender)

Although with the whole grid launched in 34 mins, he didn’t have too long to wait. However, the start was called for 12:39, and Dan crossed the start line at 12:49!!! He was in the pack on the first leg, turning with the leading gliders, although he’d started earlier than the more experienced pilots.

The second leg was downwind and he reached speeds of 112 knots with a big grin on his face. The last leg he flew with three of the very experienced competitors, and held his own to begin with, but with water in their wings, they beat him with much better penetration. Another great flight, with amazing thermals, going up to 5000ft!

(ed: Devalued task again as the leaders completed in less than 2 hours, but well done Dan with a provisional 17th place and a handicapped speed of 104kph - 24th overall.)

Pizza tonight (Sally Hender)

Now just waiting for the pizza van to arrive! - Sally Hender

Tues 22nd August - Course week

 With a positive forecast for the day ahead, the course members were keen to get flying.  With all vehicles and gliders ready for 9:30, flying commenced around 9:40.

Westerly light winds and a developing blue sky, a handful of private members turned up and began to rig their single seaters. The first three course flights came back swiftly due to it being fairly early in the day.

KEK on approach (Luke Stabb)

 Ambitiously Sir Chris Colville  decided to take the Junior for a launch and achieved 64 mins! From then on everybody managed to soar and get away meaning the ground became quiet .

DKU landing  (Luke Stabb)

 

Breaking the silence  Pete Startup, Dave Perriam and Robert Lee all launched within the space of half an hour and all achieved over 2 and a half hours ! Thank you to everybody who helped out today to get the gliders turned around quickly. Also thank you to the Instructors for making sure everyone had some good flights today! - Luke Stabb  (Junior member)

Mon 21st August - Junior Nationals

 Another day of flying ahead, although it looked like it could be out into the blue! Again the grid was opened at 8am with Dan moving further towards the front. Briefing at 10am and ‘A’ task was a 178km with the longest leg heading east. CAX-ACB-ELM-STD-WTB-GRL.

 

Getting on the grid (Sally Hender)

The call was made 11:55am for the first launch, and the grid was airborne in a record time of 34mins, with approx ten tug planes involved, what a spectacle! The start line opened at 12.52pm with very few taking the challenge. However, an ever-impatient Dan was again in the group starting early, crossing the start line at 1:14pm.

He made good progress through the first two turn points, leading the pack again and making his own choices. After turning Elmswell W (ELM) however, things changed, struggling to find lift his height dropped to 900ft, and we were biting our finger nails at this point, as he was at the furthest point from the airfield and it would have meant an hour and a half drive to get him! But he saved it again and got his height back up to 3000ft!

Completing the task - no penalties today (Sally Hender)

 The fourth leg was also a difficult run with some more low points on his trace and flying close to Cambridge Airport. The last run was a dash for the finish, hitting unexpected sink along the way. He was the first of the competitors back to the airfield, with a final placing for the day, at time of writing, of 22nd, and overall 23rd. An improvement on his previous flights. - Sally Hender

Mon 21st August - Course week

 Day 1 of course week started with introductions and the course briefing with instructors Mike Sloggett & Peter Smith. Course participants were Michael Fawcett (welcome back), Joel Roulson, Tara Ashwood, Luke Stabb, Jake Stabb, & Julian West.

Weather looked slightly promising, quite dry & light westerly winds to start, with cloud base estimated at 800 feet. Course helpers worked hard to get the airfield set up with the winch at the West end. The two K21’s & the Junior were carefully DI’d ready for the days flying. 

Stabb family with Mike Sloggett (Julian West)

 Early launches achieved around 1,350 feet and as the morning progressed cloud base started to lift.  Final approaches were tricky due to the turbulence over the trees. 

Jake skillfully dealt with an instructor induced launch failure on his very first flight, landing ahead with no issues. Even more impressively Jake shared his delicious birthday cake with everyone!

The instructors worked hard & all students had three flights before we all stopped for lunch just after 13:00.

Joel Roulson with Peter Smith (Julian West)

 The afternoon sky looked a little more promising with some mild thermal activity over Broadhembury. Conditions improved enough to tempt a couple of the more experienced pilots to take the Junior up. As the day drew to an end the air cooled and flight times remained fairly short. 

Turbulence over the trees (Julian West)

 The last few flights were cut short due to simulated launch failures. All in all a great first course day & everyone very much looking forward to day two. - Julian West

Sun 20th August - Two-seater Comp Pocklington

 On Friday, the North Hill Nomads set up their encampment consisting of 4 tents, 4 camper vans, Nick's caravan and a large gazebo for the barrel of Otter!
Saturday was a non-contest flying day and young Connor weedled his way into the back seat of Chris Fox’s Duo Discus for a couple hours of wave hunting to the west near York.

North Hill Nomads (JB)

The Two-seater comp started on Sunday with a 234k task with 4 turning points. Similar to Competition Enterprise, competitors can choose to return to Pocklington finish from any of the turning points which provided a choice of tasks for the varying performance of gliders in the comp. Phil Morrison and Connor Williams won first place for the ‘hot ships’ class in DD3. Mike Armstrong and Stirling Melhuish won the Wood class and were overall winner of the day with an amazing flight up to Sutton on Forrest and down to Gainsborough and back - a flight which many of the modern plastic gliders failed to complete!

Humber Estuary heading South from DD3

 Unfortunately JP and JB in BBB didn’t fare so well and after a struggle to get the first TP found themselves stranded and had to fly east for miles to Pickering and beyond, slowly getting further and further offtrack from Pocklington in a desperate attempt to remain airborne in the hope that they would eventually find a route of ‘energy’ to get them home!

Mike and Stirling collecting the Bubbly (Nick Jones)

So on Day 1, AXJ Blue Eagle came overall 1st, DD3 came 2nd overall and BBB came 2nd to last!  But the winners got bottles of bubbly so after an uneventful 2nd day of the comp the Nomads still had some bubbly from the first day to celebrate together with another of John Pursey’s amazing suppers! - JB

Sun 20th August - Junior Nationals

 Another good flying day was predicted at Gransden Lodge today, with similar weather to yesterday, but less bumpy! The grid was set up at 8am again, and the briefing set a task of 150km,  this time there was less distance into wind!

Unfortunately, Rob and I missed Dan’s launch by seconds, due to a mistimed visit to the Supermarket!!! (Gliding or wine??🤔). However, we again spent an afternoon sat in the sun watching his progress on glide and seek, wine sitting unopened in case of a land out, need to be able to give the farmer something!

Back on the airfield today (Sally Hender)

 

It was a good flight, Dan set off after waiting longer this time, letting others mark the lift for him. Although Dan was again in the leading pack after the second turnpoint (RDN, Rattlesden). Coming back third to the airfield, unfortunately 32ft below the finish line, for which he was awarded 32 penalty points!

Straight in approach (Sally Hender)

 He finished in 23rd place out of 40, with only a few landing out. Another great day. - Sally Hender

Sun 20th August

 The weather forecast for today suggested flying from first thing through to the end of the day with improving  skies as the day unfolded. But as has been the case recently the actual weather was somewhat different.....

The members present had all four two-seaters and a Junior out of the Hangar well before 9am so with the winch and launch point set up soon after the only question was whether the cloudbase was sufficient to allow full height launches.

As it happened the first winch launch was a simulated ‘land ahead’ launch failure anyway and the second winch launch was released just below cloudbase which was only around 750ft.

And so it was an appropriate time to return to the Clubhouse for coffee, which was timely as the Women’s’ World Cup Final was about to start.  The next few hours saw various members watching the football avidly, whilst other members were seen regularly wandering in to the Clubhouse to check on the score and watch a few minutes of the match before returning outside to see if the weather had improved to allow gliding to re-commence.

Skies improving (Mike Sloggett)

And then with the blue skies starting to become more prevalent in and amongst the wispy clouds Pete Warren and Mike Sloggett took a met flight which confirmed that the afternoon might just allow some gliding.

With the afternoon weather steadily improving the rest of the day saw Robert Lee look after our Trial Lesson visitors, the flying lists for training and solo pilots completed and James Flory flying with Simon Minson for James’ Full Cat Rating preparation.

Thank you to all who stayed patient today and helped others to get into the air. - Mike Sloggett