Author: StephenO

After a pretty dismal October, November got off to a good start with a fine turnout from the Wednesday crew.  Although an up-and-down kind of a day we did get lots of launches in (34) and 19 folks got their backsides off the ground.  Not only that but donut service was resumed.  Bill C reported a tantalising sniff of weak wave but it only got him just into the double digit flight time.  A little while later Charles Mc equaled Bill’s 10 minutes.  Despite 3 attempts Martin S was not able to better (or match) that time.  We were treated to a fly-by from a biplane which we guessed may have been Steve Jones from Southern Sailplanes at Membury.

Wednesday 23rd October and out come the beany hats and off go the jumpers.  This is not what we have come to expect from October.  Lots of sun but it failed to trigger the thermals.  Out of 43 launches (yes 43!) only 2 managed to get into double digits flight time.  Denis G with Colin B managed 12 minutes but it was Martin S who took the crown with an astonishing (for the day) 23 minutes.   Martin had 2 reasons to celebrate – he also got fully signed off on the winch.  The family Brind K7 made an appearance.

Colin B, Peter E and myself were kept busy providing back seat services.

Weekend of 21st and 22nd maintained the October standard we have come to expect.  Thanks to duty debts Jim G was duty instructor on both days.  Saturday was a complete non-starter with a overly lively wind.  Jim’s reflections on Sunday follows:-

“First flight was a weather check and a half. Big mistake was letting Martin H fly the glider, he has a slightly higher pucker factor than me, I think both of us rounded out together! It was marginal when I let Nigel fly a newbie but as he took off the wind picked up even more. Comment from the ground was ooo didn’t he lose a lot of height getting to the hangar. This was followed by a rapid return to a downwind base leg and a final turn over our heads with a landing in dingly dell. Nigel mentioned that he didn’t managed to demo anything let alone hand over control. We measured a 22 knot gust while I was waiting for Nigel to be retrieved (the wind was gusting outside the glider as well?). Discretion seemed appropriate so I called a halt until the wind abated. Unfortunately the rain, that wasn’t forecast, turned up so we had to pack up. Nigel wasn’t very complimentary when I offered him my cable, (something like “not bloody flying in that again”).”

Having reported all those great stats for last flying year the new year is not going very well so far.  Of 7 potential flying days we were only able to fly on 3 of them and this coming weekend looks far from promising (due to an excess of wind).  I wasn’t at the club on either of the flyable days since the 4th (already reported on) but since no one else has reported on them I can provide a summary from what I’ve seen from the log sheets.

Last Saturday (14th) was fairly unremarkable for the time of year.  20 launches and no one breaking into double digit flying time.  The highlight was Charles Mc converting to the K8.

The previous Sunday (14th) was a different story – 34 launches and 3 of those over 1 hour.  Bill C taking longest flight honors with 1:35 in his K6 (reported cloud base of 2,500′).  Now that is remarkable for October.

As to the other days not a lot to say other than Rowland and Colin used the time to give the winch a comprehensive annual service and Ken H and Tony P progressed the new launch point wagon.  Paul B was seen providing some TLC to the cable ‘chutes and weak links.