Author: StephenO

The drizzle didn’t clear as forecast so briefing was set for midday.  Closest thing of any relevance on the NOTAMS was the Red Arrows passing north-south to the east of us – no Shalbourne special show this time as they were far enough east not to worry us (or vice versa).   Colin set to putting Paul M through his paces for off-checks check.  First notable achievement of the day Paul M is now off-checks.  Next up was Matt B (of the Southampton Uni group) discovered the joys of training launch failures.  Then he got coaxed to fly further from the airfield than he normally would off the launch only to discover strong (instructor induced) sink heading back to the field, neatly resolved with a reciprocal landing.  After that I secured the straps in the back seat and sent him off on his own for his first solo.

The next person to fall victim to my instructions to the winch driver to “have fun” was Gillian B.  This was followed by Gillian taking her first solo in about 20 years.

Soaring opportunities were limited with Martin S taking top slot with 27 minutes in his (and Charles) K6.  Second place went to Gillian with 19 minutes on her second solo of the day.  Despite the late start we clocked up 38 launches

Congratulations to Paul M, Matt B and Gillian B

With a decent flying day in prospect it’s interesting to see just how many members can get along to fly on a Wednesday.  This Wednesday it was 27 plus a couple of visitors – one a BA pilot wanting to sample some real flying (not quite how he expressed it) and the other who took is first trial lesson a month ago and is now a member – welcome to George R.  Lots of rigging activity with 9 private gliders out to play plus 4 club gliders.  Only 4 because a small team helped Andy B at the start of the day to derig EUF ready for its 1,000 hour check.

For a change the wind was pretty much aligned with the field and there were soaring opportunities from the start.  Colin B, my esteemed and generous syndicate partner, rigged our LS3-17, put it online and insisted that I fly it while he took over back seat duties.  Difficult to turn down an offer like that.  By the afternoon the gaps between the clouds were filling in and thermals more difficult to find.  Sitting north of Kintbury I was faced with the choice of heading north to the better looking (but not great) sky and out of gliding range or wimping out and heading for Rivar Hill.  Discretion being the better part, it was south west I headed.  From Kintbury to the south end of the field and round to the ridge not the hint of any lift.  Arrived there to find several gliders in the area sitting above me (but not by much) I followed the ridge east as that would take me to a nice position for a right hand circuit.  Stumbled into weak lift and scratched away.  From that vantage point I watched 4 gliders land within a 3 minute window so my plan was to continue to scratch until the runway was cleared.  Best laid plans …. by the time the runway was clear I was over 3,000 feet (cloud base most of the day was 3,500′).

While I was away indulging myself with some solo flying plenty was happening on the ground.  The manual light switch was periodically staying on so a switch was made to the “old ways” – car headlamps.  Two gliders from Lasham dropped in.  One of them took a relight and was not seen again.  the other decided on an overnight stay.  It got members puzzling as to what type of glider it was.  turn out it was the last 2-seater to be manufactured in Britain – a YS53.  Colin B found this link to the fascinating story of this glider  Once you have read the first page continue to page 5 to find out more.

Of the 41 launches 5 were over an hour with Ken R and Bill C taking longest flight honors in the Duo Discuss with 2:22.  Lots of 30+ minute flights with over 24 hours flown in total.  After the last launch (18:30) and once everything was put away Geoff G, Alan Saunders and Trevor G set-to to try and fix the signal lights.

Another excellent Wednesday with thanks to Colin B, Peter E and Ken R for helping out with back-seat services and, as ever, to the winch drivers.  Also, must not forget to thank those who arrived early to get set-up and those who stayed around to the end to put the toys to bed (a few who did both).

I feel something should be recorded about Open Week 2018 even if it’s bit after the event and memory is fading.

This year opening the club for flying everyday for a week was for a Wednesday to Wednesday.  The week started of on 15th August with what was pretty much a “normal” Wednesday but a little quieter than usual and not a lot of soaring on offer.  32 launches with Chris K nabbing top dog slot with a mere 33 minutes. Main entertainment was Martin S practicing cross field landings with Colin B into the westerly wind.  Rain forecast for Thursday so a late start was posted and enough folks turned up in the afternoon for us to fit in 9 launches – all circuits barr one.   Colin B with Paul M somehow found something and stayed aloft for 41 minutes.  Friday proved to be a better soaring day but not always easy to connect.  About half the 23 launches resulting in some soaring.  With Colin B, Bob B and Peter E providing back seat services I was free to get my backside into the LS3-17.  After two very short circuits the freebie launch magic kicked in and I scrapped away to wander around for over 2 hours.

I wasn’t able to get back to the club for the next 4 days but looking at the log the weekend was far from inspiring.  23 launches on Saturday with only John D and Martin S creeping into double digit flight times.  No flying Sunday.  Monday saw a modest turnout, only 11 launches with Rob J taking longest flight honours with 33 minutes.  Tuesday was a better day but again a modest turnout.  Duty instructor, Ken R, only had one person requiring his services so he found ways to avoid boredom by having soaring flights in the Swallow and the LS4.  14 launches but Steve B, Stan O and Ken R all had flight of an hour.

The final day was a typical busy Wednesday with some soaring.  30 launches, this time Alan P taking top dog slot with 44 minutes.

Sadly no epic flights or achievements to report on but it was good to have the opportunity to fly every day (well, if you ignore the Sunday).

Another busy Wednesday with 22 folks taking to the air and thanks to help from Peter E and Bob B were we able to ensure everybody got to fly.  Bob B also managed to get in some much needed solo time in the Vega.  Only two private glider rigged (Colin B with the Ls3-17 and Bob S with the LS4) who, along with others, took advantage of the 4,000’+ cloud base.

One unusual aspect of the day was that jumpers made an appearance

No Wednesday would be complete without home baking from Tony P and we weren’t disappointed.