Category: Flying Reports

It turned out to be one of those rare days with thermals to 3000ft into widespread cumulus under a slate grey overcast. We managed to stay dry until the last flight and even then it was only a light sprinkling, the forecast heavy showers passing to the south. So those who turned up were rewarded with brilliant vis and some good soaring with most flights being extended and a handful lasting over half an hour.

And ‘Ace’ Jarvis only brough back the Ka8 when the meter ticked over to 60 minutes.

Chris, Richard and I were kept busy flying trial lessons and welcoming new members Hugh Dimmock, Martin Baker (no swift exit quips please) and Megan Bone. So definitely a day worth turning out for.

Peter E turned up first thing with welder at the ready to fix the kink in the guard rail on one of the winch drums.  Having restored the guard rail to it’s proper shape he didn’t even stay around to fly – not that he missed any notable soaring.  Many thanks Peter.

Despite the 90 degree cross wind (from the east) launches of up to 1,400′ were available in the K13.  I didn’t what the K8 was getting.  However, from that point it was all pretty much downhill.  Mark P was the first to break into double digit flying time with 13 minutes.  No one got close to threatening Mark’s record until, a couple of hours later, Chris K stayed aloft for 28 minutes.  There was plenty of sink around so where was the compensating lift?  There were several landing further up the field, across the field and reciprocal as strong sink was encountered on route to the high key or on the downwind leg.

No time for the duty instructor (yours truly) to get bored as 16 of the 37 flights had him in the back seat.

What a cracking day for September.  The day looked promising and shock waves went around the airfield when Alan P said it was going to be a good day.  No one could remember the last time Alan had shown signs of optimism – could it have been the effect of all that Highland flinging in his kilt?  The day went blue but there was still plenty of soaring to be had.  All 5 club gliders out, and busy, plus 4 private gliders.  The private gliders were taking around 2 hour flights.  14 flights in club gliders were for 45 minutes or more.

Both Peter E and I were kept busy in the back seat clocking up 6 and a half hours between us.

42 launches and one minute short of 28 hours flown – the most hours, by far, flown on a September day in the last 8 years (the time for which I have stats readily at hand)

What a splendid way to start a new month.  Not a “classic” day but a day with soaring opportunities (if you worked at it) which is more than can be said for many of the days this “summer”.  Rowland P took the first launch in the K8 and it was clear to see he wouldn’t be returning for a while.  Next up was Liz S and her visitor and they showed no signs of returning to earth in a hurry.  The it was Charles Mc and myself – this flight gave Charles lots of time to blow off the cobwebs after sailing in sunnier climes.  It turned out that was the best time of the day and Rowland’s 1:08 earned him the soaring crown of the day.

Later in the day new member Frank D and I crawled our way up to 2,700 in very weak lift and got a good view of 3 gliders attempting to join our thermal way below.  After we landed, before opening the canopy, the FLARM went crazy with flashing red lights as one of the gliders we had been watching landed, followed by another.  Turns out they were on a cross country course and heading back to Nymsfield after turning Basingstoke.  We heard later the third glider had pressed on and landed out in a field.

A reasonably busy day with 33 launches and over 9 hours of flying time – plus donuts and cooking apples on offer.