First we had to clear the sheet ice from in front of the hangars!
The day started with squally showers with the attendant very gusty winds but around 13:00 a slight change in wind direction to 280/15 saw the worst of the showers passing down the South side of the field.
We were left in good clear air with plenty of ridge lift and weak wave in places to about 2,500', wind at flying heights being 30kts+.
Out playing were Pete in Discus 230,Martin W in Ventus G-KCHG,a couple in the Junior and some 2 seater work with Si Minson and John Street back seating.
JB flew with his son who enjoyed the flying very much.
Streety had eaten enough carrots over Xmas to be able to land in the dark - well,almost!
Many thanks to those who brought up their Xmas leftover biccies and buns for snacks.
Boxing Day Saturday 26th December
A glorious sunny day with a gentle south westerly wind - unfortunately the overnight rain had frozen to cover most of the field and all the hardstandings with sheet ice. Gradually the sun had some effect in melting the southern facing surfaces but not enough to enable the winch, tug or gliders out! The SuperFalke with Stu flew a few trips 'round the bay'. Seven of us sat down to a 'Christmas leftovers bring and share' buffet.
Wednesday 23rd December
A few stalwarts struggled through the road conditions to get to the Club.
Mike Fitz,John Street and John Sillett wandered round the field looking at the sky and Mikes barely twitching hankie,then just as they decided to do a few small jobs around the place while waiting for any improvement, the Heavens opened and it rained,sleeted and snowed.
The rapid thaw combined with the significant rain saw water running off the field in rivers!
Never mind, H's bacon butties were as good as ever - DON'T FORGET - H is not back until the 2nd Jan 2010, so any body flying twixt Xmas and New Year will have to take butties and tea making kit.
Mike Fitz,John Street and John Sillett wandered round the field looking at the sky and Mikes barely twitching hankie,then just as they decided to do a few small jobs around the place while waiting for any improvement, the Heavens opened and it rained,sleeted and snowed.
The rapid thaw combined with the significant rain saw water running off the field in rivers!
Never mind, H's bacon butties were as good as ever - DON'T FORGET - H is not back until the 2nd Jan 2010, so any body flying twixt Xmas and New Year will have to take butties and tea making kit.
Photo is of the first 2 glders to make use of the new glider workshop,ASK21 KEK and Petes Discus 230.
Merry Xmas and a stonkingly soarable 2010.
Merry Xmas and a stonkingly soarable 2010.
Sunday 20th December
After a night of rain/snow/frost the surface of the airfield was similar to an ice rink, a cold, unstable westnorthwesterly at 5knots gave a couple of soaring flights amongst the nice smooth circuits.
Rowan, Will and Heather are all making good progress, Henry completed his bronze after cable brakes with JB.
Very good day in the cold, but be careful where you stand when it's icy!
Rowan, Will and Heather are all making good progress, Henry completed his bronze after cable brakes with JB.
Very good day in the cold, but be careful where you stand when it's icy!
Saturday 19th December
A bright cold flyable day, reports of premature end in the middle of the afternoon with a little trough line.
Thursday 17th December
What a glorious day - perhaps a liile cold and blustery, but with only 4 stalwarts we never reached critical mass to operate!
Wednesday 16th December
A promising start with 2 winch launches but then fog / low cloud engulfed the airfield for the rest of the day. The afternoon was spent in the classroom discussing safe winch launcing.
Thursday 10th December
The air was much drier today so the fog cleared earlier to a glorious calm sunny day. Aerotows only again, the tug was refuelled at lunchtime - this is a first for a Thursday! High cloud covered the sun mid-afternoon and with a dramatic cooling the canopies instantly misted up. Pete & JB enjoyed spinning the K13 in as many different ways as possible. The Glider workshop is finished and the benches are being moved back in ready for K21 ARC inspection next week. Well done to all the workers ably led by Peter the Chair.
Wednesday 9th December
The day started with fog in the Exe valley and unfortunately it crept up the ridge to engulf the site until lunchtime. Misting canopies restricted us to 4 aerotows in the short afternoon (the ground is still too wet to winch but the price of aerotows are reduced).
Sunday 6th December
Very heavy rain over night meant a waterlogged field so no winching took place. Instead our lovely Treasurer, Pete C, agreed to cheaper aerotows!
The Pawnee was flown by Robert and Peter W. The blustery south westerly wind made the aerotows very challenging for both glider and tug.
Henry has completing his final bronze flights with Simon L. Martin W and Peter W completed their 3-year instructor standardisation checks. Well done everyone.
Simon M and Jimbob took a 4000ft aerotow and did a good show, including loops, rolls and flying inverted above the airfield! Great fun!!!!
The gliders were cleaned and put to bed ready for the next session.
The Pawnee was flown by Robert and Peter W. The blustery south westerly wind made the aerotows very challenging for both glider and tug.
Henry has completing his final bronze flights with Simon L. Martin W and Peter W completed their 3-year instructor standardisation checks. Well done everyone.
Simon M and Jimbob took a 4000ft aerotow and did a good show, including loops, rolls and flying inverted above the airfield! Great fun!!!!
The gliders were cleaned and put to bed ready for the next session.
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