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Sutton Bank Club Expedition May 2016

Sorry for the delay in posting a report but thanks to the good weather we flew most of days we were at Sutton Bank and the lure of the pub was just too strong each evening!

This expedition was very well attended by club members and I know that whilst we were there everyone without exception had a thoroughly enjoyable time.

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Our hosts at Sutton Bank were very accommodating and could not have been more helpful, especially as they were also running a course at the same time.

This year the normal attendees of Carol, Chris, Rod, Nigel and myself were joined by Richard, Tony, Jeremy, John, Andrew and Selvam.

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Selvam about to take a flight in the DG1000
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Nigel about to aerotow the Vega

Jeremy and Andrew managed to get cleared for aerotowing so were able to fly their gliders on tow for the first time, John also got cleared to aerotow so took the Vega.

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You can guess where Rod was hiding !

 

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All of this was just too much for Richard 🙂

During the week we were treated to two fabulous ridge days, 1 wave day and plenty of thermic days when cloudbase went up to 5,000ft (almost 6000ft asl).

So yet another very enjoyable expedition to Sutton Bank, plenty of good flying, company, banter, food and beer…….roll on the next one!

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Wednesday 4th May

The day started with Colin B and helpers doing the regular guillotine checks which turned into sorting a few problems.  The sky was looking good with fluffy cu nicely lining up in streets but by the time we were ready to start launching the sky was completely blue.  First to launch was a K13 which encountered 6 down with the occasional respite of 4 down.  So, we knew there must be lift somewhere.  Good high launches were the order of the day with a steady SSW wind (K8 getting in excess of 2,000′).
Many, but sadly not all, stumbled upon thermals in the blue which were decidedly lumpy low down but could deliver 3,300′.  Thanks to my generous syndicate partner insisting on me flying our glider while he looked after instructing I had an hour and a half playing hunt the thermal.  First climb took me to 3,100 and I was at 1,100 before I found my next thermal.  Bill C and Ken R spent over 2 hours in their Duo Discus playing a similar game to take longest flight honours.  The Brind’s K7 was back online and was seen to out climb the K8 on it’s first flight and a K13 on the next.

 

The day ended with Stan O taking a solo flight and staying airborne for over half an hour followed by a trip to the Plough to help Stan celebrate his return to solo status. Sitting outside the pub in the sun with a pint in hand and plenty of banter, tales and laughter – what an excellent way to round off a very enjoyable day.

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Last Day of April

With the club expedition to Sutton Bank and a vintage rally happening elsewhere there was a very modest turnout.  Thermic from the start but the expectation was for showers in the afternoon.  The showers managed to avoid us but mid-afternoon the sky to the north changed and we stopped flying for about an hour.  During that period the wind went from due West to East and back again.

View to the North
A different story to the South

After that a few circuits were flown and the club gliders hangar flown.  On hangar flying the Puchcz, Nick J (Southampton student studying aeronautical engineering) was treated to a practical demonstration of ground effect.

Colin B had a memorable flight in the LS3-17 (already reported on) and Pete S went walk-about in the Nimbus for two and a half hours.  Highlight of the day was Stan O re-soloing after 20 years.  First solo from one of the group from Southampton University by Elijah A (who is already a Bronze pilot).

A huge “thank you” to Trevor G and Steve B who winched so the rest of us could fly, sacrificing their own flying.

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Wednesday 27th

Showers to the left of us, showers to the right of us, showers in front of us, boldly we flew into the jaws of thermals, into the mouth of sink, rode the Wednesday Boys (with apologises to Tennyson).

A promising looking sky on offer even as we were unpacking the hangar.  By 11:30 all 4 club gliders were soaring and the launch point empty.  Inevitably the nice looking sky overdeveloped and we were back to circuit bashing for while.  Then it cycled and we were back to soaring – at least until the cloud filled in again.  Early afternoon the K8 made a welcome return to the launch point.  Colin B was “persuaded” to do the test flight.  He returned in 18 minutes claiming a new club record – quickest time from launch to 4,600 to landing.  Steve B had to get to his freebie launch before staying up long enough to claim longest flight honours (1:04, pipping Paul P by  minutes).  The good news is that he returned to the airfield each time.  Taking advantage of the lift close to a shower Denis G was heard to complain about snow finding its way through the vent.

Quite astonishing that the showers managed to miss us but if meant we got in 34 launches of which about half enjoyed some soaring.  Oh yes, mustn’t forget to report:  no donuts but the lardy cake was a very acceptable substitute (thanks Rowland).