Second launch of the day, Mark P is thrown at the sky and sticks. The K13’s just stuck to circuits while Trevor G and Bob B pulled out the Vega. Bob took a launch ready to grab some of the rising air that the K8 continued to enjoy but was back on the ground within minutes reporting that he only just got back having found some 6 down (or it having found him). Mark returned after being observed practicing spins and climbing back to cloudbase at 2,000′. Everyone else continued to do circuits until Nigel managed a whole 12 minutes in the K8. A little later I made an attempt at Nigel’s record (no need to be too ambitious) and managed to record the shortest flight of the day thanks to a failed weak link. Next attempt somewhat better with a launch to 2,000′ and a climb to 3,000′ drifting to the gibbet. Mark’s record remained completely safe all day.
Richard D (as duty instructor) was kept busy and we clocked up 35 launches.
Wednesday 19th February
After the fog and drizzle cleared there appeared a ragged cloud base of between 800 and 1400 feet which lifted by degrees until the sky briefly cleared in the afternoon. The faithful had broken into two cohorts, one completing the repair to the hangar roof and cladding while the other took unusual pleasure in squeezing every last minute out of each flight and celebrating 12 minutes airborne as though it were a Silver Duration. Such is midweek gliding. 🙂
Having now had both fuselage and wings recovered JPC looks brand new and handles likewise having been beautifully restored under Andy Brind’s supervision. Just how he got a paint finish like that in the winter weather is a mystery!
And in it I had the privilege of introducing Jonty’s seven year old son to the sport of gliding. Get your dad to bring you again in the summer William!
Sunday 16th
After two weeks of wind and rain we get a great day – and at the weekend! Launches to 2,000+’ and 4 knotters to almost 3,000′. Flights of over an hour were available for the taking. JPC came out to play for the first time sporting its newly covered wings and was much admired. I was kept busy with check flights and Ken P pitched in with test flying JPC and a visitor who immediately joined the club after his 42 minute flight. We also welcomed Allison and Geoff as refuges from Bicester where a soggy airfield stopped play. Being at the top of a ridge, having 100′ difference between field ends and well drained soil certainly has its advantages at the moment. Steve T took the last launch at 2 minutes to sunset and was reminded of the need to land before half an hour after sunset. Maybe he misunderstood as he managed to land before sunset – mind that probably had more to do with one of those launch failures we practice for. At least that got Steve another entry on his post solo progress card signed off.
39 launches in total and 10:42 of flying time. 22 people flew. A cracking day.
Sunday 2nd Feb
Busy day for the time of year with 27 launches and just a K13 and the Puchacz flying (a touch breezy for the K8). It wasn’t until launch 16 that the challenge of a double digit flight was achieved, by Colin (11 minutes) but his victory was short lived when Carol landed a few minutes later having clocked up 12 minutes. It was then back to single digits flights until I took a 1,900′ launch in the K13 and thought I might be in with a chance. Unfortunately, I descended relentlessly to 800′. Fortunately there was some very weak lift that should help delay the circuit for a couple of turns. That weak lift improved and took me to 1,400 before it disappeared (er, was lost). That was enough to take longest flight honours with 21 minutes.