Author: Blogger

Not a promising start to a new month with rain over the airfield in the morning.  However, those few who had looked at (and believed) the forecast were rewarded in the afternoon.  Behind the band of rain there was brighter weather, even if there was also plenty of wind – a day for lot of height and lots of speed on finals.  Above Ham at, what will be, our Olympic ceiling I spied the Janus being tempted on-line.  After a couple of circuits the Janus boys claimed they had only wanted to complete their ARC by checking deflections.  One grotty band of rain passed to the north but the next lot got us.  Once that passed the wind swung further south adding about 300′ to the launches.
On a day that could so easily have been missed 10 folks (between them) got 15 launches and over 2 hours of fun flying.

Not everyone was convinced by the new back seat technique

What a cracking day. 4 club gliders being kept busy plus the LS3 and LS7 rigged.  Stonking – provided you were in the right place at the right time. 4 flights of over and hour (sorry Steve you Wednesday record was short lived – Colin flew the LS3 for 1:35 today) and another 5 of over 30 minutes.  When Pete S had to rely on his third (free) launch to get away you know it took more than just skill.  Climb rates of 5.6 (on the averager) and climbs up to 4,000′ QFE were available – so you can now kick yourself for not getting along to partake.  A Duo Discuss from L was seen over the gibet being outclimbed by one of our members (I suspect that might provoke a response from Liz about L folks doing cross-countries).

It was good to see Evelyn return after her hibernation having being distracted from flying by things like getting married.  Just as gliders were being launched for hangar landing our first TL of 2012 appeared.

Thanks Bob for arranging such good weather for your duty day.

Wednesday had it all – ridge, thermals and wave.  The fact the wave was seen in the distance and the thermals interfered with the ridge just meant the lift could not be taken for granted and one had to work at it.  Four club gliders in operation and at times an empty launch point.  The Vega blinked as it emerged from the hangar for the first time this year.  Only 3 launches taken in it but it did clock up 99 minutes of flying time.  Honours for longest flight of the day (and for 2012) went to Steve B with 48 minutes.  12 members flew and we did 22 launches.  JMX was rigged and JPC derigged and into the workshop.