Thursday 30th April
The cold front never cleared, rain and low cloud all day. Unfortunately the first Evening Group of the season had to be postponed.
Wednesday 29th April
Bright morning with fresh south westerly wind, but as the warm front approached the wind backed to the south and eventually cloud base came down enough to stop play.
The usual Wednesday crowd were on the field having returned from Portmoak, I have no report of what happened up there yet.
It was quite thermic in the morning up to 2000ft.The high upper cloud after lunch restricted the thermals but the south ridge worked well up to 1500ft.
The usual Wednesday crowd were on the field having returned from Portmoak, I have no report of what happened up there yet.
It was quite thermic in the morning up to 2000ft.The high upper cloud after lunch restricted the thermals but the south ridge worked well up to 1500ft.
Sunday 26th April
The third day of this weather - strong, gusting southerly, cloudy with the occasional rain.
However some enthusiastic hopefuls set up the field, and had a few winch launches. There were some thermals once the sun got round onto the west ridge, but never really above circuit height, longest by James Hood at 25 minutes.
Best flight of the day 693kms in 8 hours up and down the middle of the country from Lasham in a 15 metre LS6! hey-ho
However some enthusiastic hopefuls set up the field, and had a few winch launches. There were some thermals once the sun got round onto the west ridge, but never really above circuit height, longest by James Hood at 25 minutes.
Best flight of the day 693kms in 8 hours up and down the middle of the country from Lasham in a 15 metre LS6! hey-ho
Saturday 25th April
The strong gusty southerly from yesterday continued but this time with rather heavy showers as well - 3 launches was enough! Unfortunately a Visitor's birthday surprise had to be postponed, however the onlookers may well book an evening group session.
Friday 24th April
"Media Day"
The Club invited an MP, several other local dignitaries, representatives from Exeter airport ATC and sporting associations, and journalists from local newspapers, magazines, radio and television. The idea to show to the 'outside world' how gliding is affordable and achievable by all. The guests were welcomed by the Chairman - Mike Fairclough, a short presentation by Simon Leeson on the Club and gliding in general, and a safety brief from Mark Courtney. All over tea and biscuits supplied by H and Mandy.
We then moved outside to fly. The sky was hazy with a veil of upper cloud and a strong blustery southerly wind. This wind was a bit fickle, causing us to change ends twice and providing some interesting approaches. With the DG505 in Scotland, one K21 in Poland and conditions too rough for the K13 we were a bit short of two seaters, so Duo OL helped out flying the guests and Mark in the Falke flew photographers to take aerial shots.
The south ridge was just about working to help extend the circuits, with a little bit of wave to tantilise. The ITV crew were recording a feature on flying for the disabled. John Street flew with Sonia a 25 year old paraplegic, the ridge was a little rough for Sonia to take the controls, but luckily John managed to latch into the wave up to 3000'QFE which gave Sonia plenty of time to fly in the smooth air. This should be broadcast sometime next week. All guests were exhilarated by their experience, and the press coverage should give the Club and the sport of gliding good publicity.
H provided a lovely cold buffet for lunch. Flying lasted all day with a total of 15 flights. Thanks must go to all the Club members who turned up to run the field and for all the preparatory work in organising the day.
Anyone got any pictures?
The Club invited an MP, several other local dignitaries, representatives from Exeter airport ATC and sporting associations, and journalists from local newspapers, magazines, radio and television. The idea to show to the 'outside world' how gliding is affordable and achievable by all. The guests were welcomed by the Chairman - Mike Fairclough, a short presentation by Simon Leeson on the Club and gliding in general, and a safety brief from Mark Courtney. All over tea and biscuits supplied by H and Mandy.
We then moved outside to fly. The sky was hazy with a veil of upper cloud and a strong blustery southerly wind. This wind was a bit fickle, causing us to change ends twice and providing some interesting approaches. With the DG505 in Scotland, one K21 in Poland and conditions too rough for the K13 we were a bit short of two seaters, so Duo OL helped out flying the guests and Mark in the Falke flew photographers to take aerial shots.
The south ridge was just about working to help extend the circuits, with a little bit of wave to tantilise. The ITV crew were recording a feature on flying for the disabled. John Street flew with Sonia a 25 year old paraplegic, the ridge was a little rough for Sonia to take the controls, but luckily John managed to latch into the wave up to 3000'QFE which gave Sonia plenty of time to fly in the smooth air. This should be broadcast sometime next week. All guests were exhilarated by their experience, and the press coverage should give the Club and the sport of gliding good publicity.
H provided a lovely cold buffet for lunch. Flying lasted all day with a total of 15 flights. Thanks must go to all the Club members who turned up to run the field and for all the preparatory work in organising the day.
Anyone got any pictures?
Thursday 23rd April
St George's Day, that has nothing to do with it, but let's be patriotic!
Fourth day EUGC course and Club day. Hazy low cloud to start, but it soon cleared to give a bright warm day with a fresh southerly wind, a sheet of high cover appeared late afternoon to cut down some of the sun's warmth. There were no thermals at all throughout the day.
The EUGC students seem to be wilting in the heat, only four today. Note to prospective soloists - make sure you have your medical signed up early in training or you will not be able to go solo when that ideal day arrives.
It was a busy Club day, a couple of Thursday regulars returned from long winter holidays to get checked out and return to flying the Junior, others' training continued and welcome to new member Richard, one of Flybe's Dash 8 pilots.
Fourth day EUGC course and Club day. Hazy low cloud to start, but it soon cleared to give a bright warm day with a fresh southerly wind, a sheet of high cover appeared late afternoon to cut down some of the sun's warmth. There were no thermals at all throughout the day.
The EUGC students seem to be wilting in the heat, only four today. Note to prospective soloists - make sure you have your medical signed up early in training or you will not be able to go solo when that ideal day arrives.
It was a busy Club day, a couple of Thursday regulars returned from long winter holidays to get checked out and return to flying the Junior, others' training continued and welcome to new member Richard, one of Flybe's Dash 8 pilots.
Wednesday 22nd April
Third day of EUGC course, and Club day.
Slow start due to fog on the airfield, and not that many members, probably because several regulars are on the Portmoak expedition.
Fog cleared to a cloudy day with southerly breeze, some weak and not very high thermals. By late afternoon the sea air brought a clear sky and bright sunshine.
The EUGC students progressed well through the training card, Club members had check flights and solo progression.
Congratulations to Tim and Joe on their first flights in Astir 266.
Tuesday 21st April
Second day of EUGC course week.
Day started with fresh NWly breeze, haze and cloudbase at 700ft, so cable break demos used up the time until the cloud broke. There was no soaring during the morning, and everyone had their turn of three circuits. Soaring through the afternoon was in bubbles of lift, not really thermals, lucky if you bumped into one at the right time, otherwise the broken lift and sink made it difficult. All had their fill by the end of the day.
A family of holiday makers from the caravan site visited and had a trial lesson each.
Day started with fresh NWly breeze, haze and cloudbase at 700ft, so cable break demos used up the time until the cloud broke. There was no soaring during the morning, and everyone had their turn of three circuits. Soaring through the afternoon was in bubbles of lift, not really thermals, lucky if you bumped into one at the right time, otherwise the broken lift and sink made it difficult. All had their fill by the end of the day.
A family of holiday makers from the caravan site visited and had a trial lesson each.
Monday 20th April
First day of the Exeter Uni.GC course week.
Quite a hazy start with gentle, cold north easterly wind. It soon warmed up and the visibility improved as haze burnt off to give good thermals to 4000'asl for a while, until the spreadout stopped convection. Late in the afternoon the spreadout broke as a convergence formed right over the winch to give very strong lift to cloudbase at 5000'asl.
Well done to Joao for his first flights in the Junior.
Quite a hazy start with gentle, cold north easterly wind. It soon warmed up and the visibility improved as haze burnt off to give good thermals to 4000'asl for a while, until the spreadout stopped convection. Late in the afternoon the spreadout broke as a convergence formed right over the winch to give very strong lift to cloudbase at 5000'asl.
Well done to Joao for his first flights in the Junior.
Sunday 19th April
A quiet day on the airfield today, as most of the Sunday regulars have gone to Portmoak for the week.
Those that stayed had a good soarable day, particularly after the strong north easterly wind of the morning moderated a little through the afternoon.
Cu's formed quickly after about 1400 and began to spread across the sky. Visibility was poor and cloudbase was only 2800 ft QFE. Climbs were easy to come by and the mushy grey cloud base could be reached quickly. The cu's cleared as quickly as they formed, at around 1730.
There were several friends and family flights and a couple of trial lessons.
Mike and Barbie arrived in their Cub late in the day, and the Caravan Committee met for most of the afternoon.
Those that stayed had a good soarable day, particularly after the strong north easterly wind of the morning moderated a little through the afternoon.
Cu's formed quickly after about 1400 and began to spread across the sky. Visibility was poor and cloudbase was only 2800 ft QFE. Climbs were easy to come by and the mushy grey cloud base could be reached quickly. The cu's cleared as quickly as they formed, at around 1730.
There were several friends and family flights and a couple of trial lessons.
Mike and Barbie arrived in their Cub late in the day, and the Caravan Committee met for most of the afternoon.
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