Author: StephenO

Once again a distinct lack of posts which does not mean we haven’t been flying.  In fact we have had far more launches than last September, 313 compared to 222 last year.  Came as a bit of a surprise to me as this year we have had to contend with the various COVID precautions and not all members have returned and not all instructors are ready to take up the back seat again.  However, we only managed 8 flying days last year compared to 13 this year.  When it comes to hours flown we have clocked up slightly less this year (105) compared to September last year (119).  This may be due to the shift to midweek flying when fewer private gliders are rigged and off flying cross-country. Last year about one quarter of launches were on a weekday whereas this year midweek launches were about one third.

Looking back on September last year one weekend accounted for about one third of the launches for the most but almost half the time, with 40 hours on the Sunday of that weekend.  This year the distribution was much more even with the best single day only manging 20 hours – unusually a mid-week day.  The weekend of the 26th and 27th was rather memorable with enough wind and direction for our ridge.  Mind, it was also thermic.  One of my rare weekend visits to the club and only the second outing this year for EEF.  Top of the soaring heap for the month was Pete S with 7 hours but Jim C snapping at his heels with 6:55.  The Duo syndicate also clocked up lots of flying either in their Duo Discuss or K6

Strictly speaking the last three mid-week flying days in August (a Wednesday and two Thursdays).  We start of on Wednesday 12th on a somewhat ‘warm’ day of around 35 degrees C.  With a bit of extended flights were possible with climbs to over 3,000′ but only half a dozen, of the 27 launches, managed more than half an hour.  Longest flights of the day were both 1:03 achieved by Ken R in JRL and  Pete S + Alex J in LTC.  Thunder storms threatening by the end of the day.

The following week the forecast were unusually united Wednesday wet, wet wet.  So, we went for Thursday which offered a decidedly lively wind,  Fortunately it was straight down the runway so we went for it with brief of complete finals no less than 500′, not far back and 65+ knot approach.  Most of the 22 launches were circuits but Bob B with Stan B managed 32 minutes.  Colin B made a welcome return after a long enforced layoff but demonstrating the flying must be in his DNA as there was no hint of not being current.  It was also good to see Chris K who had to take his car out to blow off the cobwebs (and charge the battery) and somehow ended up at Rivar Hill.

One week on and forecast wind for Wednesday was rather similar in strength to the previous Thursday but direction was decidedly cross.  Thursday had possibility of rain late afternoon but only a 40% chance.  In the event Wednesday started of as promised but wind calmed a lot earlier that forecast and Thursday rain got forecast earlier and with more certainty.  Got that one wrong by opting for Thursday.  The hard-core stalwarts appeared and we got in 6 launches before the rain stopped play.  I took the last launch which was to 1,900′ in EUF and a gentle descent in mainly 1 down.

More wind than expected but but less from the west than forecast.  I assume the forecast was the reason for a fairly modest turnout for a Wednesday but easily enough to operate.  A day for throwing the duty instructor at the sky for a weather check.  Launch to 1,700′ in a Puchacz gives a clue to the volume of wind.  Straight into a thermal and at 2,000′ I remembered this was a weather check and members on the ground would be waiting for a decision.  Against basic instincts, abandoned the thermal and exercised various methods for using the height and back on the ground in less than 10 minutes.  Unusually a few failed launches with cable overrun without leaving the ground and a day for breaking weak links (all at a comfortable height).  Longest flight honours went to Aliaksei with 21 minutes.

A good day for surplus garden produce being available – courgettes, cucumbers and plums.