Author: StephenO

A very brief report from Bob S on his adventures in France (so far).  Plus his picture taken of one Ash 25 from another Ash 25

“12 hours mountain gliding out from Sisteron so far. 12000 ft every day several times so far.
A completely new and out of this world experience. 12 hours clocked up so far – missing Shalbourne”

The sun teased out a number of folks from hibernation.  Beany hats dusted off and out for an airing.  The sky promised much but delivered little.  Shortly after midday it looked as if the spell had be broken when Martin S clocked up 37 minutes but the rest continuing with extended circuits (up to about 20 minutes).  Feeling secure Martin went off and busied himself with other things until Tony P returned from his flight with Peter E to let Martin know that the target now stood at 50 minutes. This galvanised Martin to try to regain his crown.  Unfortunately the sky had turned blue by that time (the colour not the language).  The wind had also livened up.  Martin did manage to get more time in the air than Tony and Peter but it took 4 launches and his 58 minutes in the air was beaten (by me with 1:50 from 14 launches).

It was good to see Peter M again (and not just for the donuts though these were very welcome) and Geoff G has rejoined after his 4 year layoff.  Tony P excelled himself with both homemade brownies and cookies – yum.  Big thanks to Bob B for getting flying started and helping with the long list of folks looking for back seat ballast, Ken H for fixing the plumbing, the winch drivers and the folks that stayed to the end to help pack away.  Actually, just thanks to everyone for pitching in and helping us clock up 47 launches

The plan to avoid the rain and have a firm (enough) airfield worked by moving midweek flying to Thursday.  However, the challenge was finding the clubhouse from the airfield entrance.  There were certainly enough to operate the field – if only we could find the field.  After trading of tales, bemoaning this year’s weather and eating lunch we discovered the low cloud had lifted enough to be able to find the airfield entrance, so most headed home.

 

Where was everyone?  For weekenders this was the first flying day for 4 weeks (for mid-weekers 2.5 weeks).  The forecast had been pretty much consistent that Saturday was the only opportunity to fly and yet just a select few turned out.  This time last year flight times were being measured in hours but this year just getting off the ground is an achievement.   Martin H thought he had an unassailable flight time of 13 minutes, having gained 300′ at one point, but Chris K pipped that with14 minutes.

Bit of a late start as monthly guillotine checks were done and HCF rigged but we still managed 29 launches.  The advantage of relatively few folks there – a chance to get seconds of Tony P’s excellent home made brownies.