Author: Blogger

We were open for flying all week. Overall we had a good time (bar Friday) local soaring despite it not looking so good, though we were rather fewer than expected. Several flights over an hour and 5000ft on Monday and almost as good for a while on Thursday. Thursday’s entertainment was enhanced by Ken’s little trip to Milton Lilburn by air, return by road. That’s what the sky looked like, for those not there to enjoy it themselves.

The day started looking good – too good, too early. Sure enough, by the time we were ready to launch it was filling in and signs of top cover approaching. First few flights were were around 20 minutes then all that was on offer were extended circuits. Early afternoon the sky started to open up a bit and Richard D disappeared with the Vega on a test flight for over half an hour (claimed the vario needed extensive testing). After that a mix of circuits and longer flights with it getting better as the afternoon progressed. The morning TL appeared in convoy – lots of family wanting to see the birthday boy flying on his 90th birthday.
All 5 club gliders out and only one syndicate one out to play. 32 launches; highest reported climb Ken H to 4,700′; longest flight Steve B 1:17.

I don’t know if anyone tried it, but Saturday finished with it still being soarable when the pub beckoned, then when we came back on Sunday the thermals were still going well, so presumably it was a cracking good night. Unfortunately on Saturday there had been overcast at high level, which made the daytime soaring almost impossible. On Sunday it evidently wasn’t so bad, because Phil and Chris amongst others set off on 300km flights. It seems the going got difficult though, and all gave up part way round and came home. Rumour has it Phil was looking up at the walkers on the Malverns before he got the saving thermal. (Did you get a photo Phil, or were you a tad too busy?)

Any other tales of derring do?