Category: Flying Reports

Some say it’s the call of the cuckoo that heralds spring others look out for the daffodils but glider pilots know better – it is the appearance of beany hats at the airfield.  I am pleased to report beany hats were in evidence on this Wednesday.

Mind the start of the day was not at all promising.  Driving up the hill from the village meant driving up into the murk.  That did not deter the ever optimistic Wednesday crew and the toys were out just waiting for the murk to lift/burn off.  It was then realised that the winch was due its annual guillotine checks.  Rowland P, our esteemed equipment officer, set to take apart, clean and grease the guillotine assemblies – ably assisted by Martin S, Paul B, Stan O and Colin B.

One guillotine needed adjustment but the sun was out so we got flying on a single cable.  Despite the sunny day and some promising looking clouds short flights were the order of the day.  The only folks to creep into double digit flight times were Chris K (10 minutes), Ken H (12 minutes) and soaring maestro Steve B (14 minutes).  With naff all flying in February there were a few folks looking for annual checks which provided some entertainment.  All 5 club aircraft were kept busy and the Swallow and K7 were rigged and flown.

Big thank you to Ken P and Colin B for pitching in to help deal with the strong demand for instructor services; Ken H for his marathon session on the winch; Tony P (ginger bread cake) and Rowland P (Lardy cake)  – and to every one who pitched in and helped (especially the few who were there at the end of the day to pack things away)

That wasn’t the only thermal seen on Wednesday.  Not exactly the most exciting thermal but after almost a month of no flying any flying is good and anything that sustains it is a bonus.  Andy B got stuck between 1,200′ and 1,250′ for at least half a dozen turns.

Only 14 launches before rain stopped play but that was 14 more than many had expected.    Add those launches to those on the following Saturday then 2 flying days into the new month and we are already 50% ahead of flying for the whole of March.

Whoops, almost forgot the main highlight of Wednesday – Tony P had been baking and we were treated to his fabulous bread and butter pudding (made with brioche – yum)

Time to rig?  Do the EFFy “boys” know something not shared with the rest?

Nope, battery charging system in the trailer being upgraded.

Yet another non-flying February day.  Even if there’s flying tomorrow this month has been the worst February we’ve experienced, by far (in terms of launches and time in the air).  At this rate we’ll all be back on checks.  Roll on March.

Having said that, it’s worth noting that the year to date stats (October to February) are the second best we’ve seen (based on 10 years of stats) – just shows how exceptional the previous 4 months have been.