Author: Blogger

Since joining the syndicate Richard has become rather possessive when it’s his turn to fly.

So today I told the rest of the Compette that my one objective for the day was not to get lower than 700′ above Shalbourne which is broadly what’s happened the last couple of times I’ve gone past – although I hasten to point out that as ever it proved thermic and I got away. Well, as those who were around today will know it was pretty much 8/8 most of the day – but we set a Compette task regardless – LAS/CBN/YTT/RIV/LAW/LFW – and indeed it proved possible to get round. I however took a calculated risk to go via RIV very low into a thermal and missed the bubble. As I rolled to a halt, the landrover drew up alongside, towed me back to the launch point offering the first cable.. I declined saying “no no, after you Mark (and you’re grounded forever if you don’t mark a thermal)” – which he duly did and I got away slowly and pootled gently back through the gloom to Lasham. Proves what’s possible even on a duff day! Have fun tomorrow – forecast is excellent and I fancy I WILL successfully pass RIV…

… well,spring anyway; it’s mayday.  So called because summer doesn’t come in smoothly, but springs to and fro between extremes.  Today we had a cracking good day, with climbs to over 5000ft and most flights of extended duration, over three hours in at least one case.  The best Paul McG found on his check flight was 4kt … sink, but then made up for it by getting his two hours 🙂 …sadly, it’s no longer a badge requirement 🙁 , but well done anyway.

A day that had everyone going back to their cars to find more layers.  The forecast clear sky for the start of the day did not materialise so it was a day for seeing who could break into double digits with their flight.  Mark P was first with 10 minutes but his crown was immediately stolen by Rob J with 11 minutes who then got pipped by Paul P with 12.  Paul’s record looked safe as we returned to single digit flight times but we did not allow for the Trevor Effect.  He pulled a 26 minute flight out of thin air.  Last flight of the day was equally unexpected as James W started circling off the top of the launch to return 22 minutes later from 2,400.

The other high spot (different kind of high) was Jon S taking his first solo.  Well, first solo in something without an engine and inflight services.