Category: Flying Reports

We have just gone through the worst winter when it comes to flying (or lack of flying).  Well, at least in the 30+ years that I’ve been flying.  Then spring arrives, decent enough weather but an easterly cross-wind scuppers last weekend and today when we should have been getting back to “normal” (i.e. enjoying some flying, convivial company and Tony’s home baking) we are in “lock-down”.  To rub salt into it – there I was having my lunch in the garden when I heard a familiar noise, looked up and there was a Red Kite thermalling.   At least it was a completely blue sky so no tasty looking clouds to distract me from gardening duties.

It is rumoured following my protracted absence that I have been granted life membership, for which if it is so, many thanks. With the change in the weather I had hoped to take advantage of the privilege, but hey-ho s**t happens. However, I’m somewhat cheered by being granted ‘front of the queue’ status at Sainsbury’s, so if the club is short of bog rolls, just let me know. As some will know I’ve been virtually housebound for the last six months, so I’m somewhat inured to the present situation. Anyway, to keep myself sane during the wet season I spent some time remembering, among other things, why I didn’t quite become a millionaire. If anyone’s interested you can find my excuses at:

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/14cqvcT6GV1KP0p64eorlR8cz9ezZHRRy

Something to read on a wet Sunday.

Anyway, the garden beckons, so it’s not all bad news.

If you missed BBC2’s ‘Super Powered Eagles’ last night, do watch it on iPlayer, it reminded me why we fly gliders.

And here’s a question that has been taxing me. The brief period of mass groundings following 9/11 resulted in a worldwide increase in solar warming due to loss of water vapour in the stratosphere. Will less accompanying CO2 result in less global warming? If so I’ll be installing an air conditioner to maintain the status quo.

Keep in touch and stay well.

:C

 

Yet again not much blog activity which reflects the limited flying.  Then just as there’s a glimmer of improving weather, and longer days, we are faced with the huge uncertainty of Corvid-19.

Since the last blog entry there has been the BGA conference where our small, humble, club waked off with a prestigious trophy for the most cross-country endorsements (as a proportion of the number of instructors).  Liz represented the club at the award presentation.

The club AGM was help at The Plough in Shalbourne.  A motion to change the number of elected positions and appointed positions was passed.  Also, Colin B’s huge contribution to the continued improvement of the club’s infrastructure was recognised by awarding him life membership.

As to flying – the opportunities to fly have been few and far between thanks to the continued run of rubbish weather.  Since the last reported flying day (12th Feb) we have only managed to fly on 19th February (10 flights), 1st March (9 flights), 17th (17 flights) and the 11th (10 launches)

Arriving on Wednesday 11th  it was very uncertain whether we would fly.  Forecast 17knots wind gusting 30+ but at least there was a bit of south in it.  Decidedly soft underfoot.  The winch was out and cables laid out so I felt obliged to give it a go. 1,700′ launch and after using a couple of hundred feet to find a thermal it was back to launch height and beyond to cloudbase at 2,000′.  Off to the side of the cloud flying straight into wind and gained another 400′.  Ah this was supposed to be a weather check so need to get back down – spin to the right, spin to the left and side-slip with full airbrakes.  Lively on approach and landing back at the launch point.  It looked as if the thermals would still be there but they proved elusive but Rowland managed to scrap 15 minutes in broken lift but was pipped by Aliaksei who managed 18 minutes.  Everyone had to put up with myself as ballast given the conditions.

There are distinct advantages in not being burdened by “work” – one gets to fly on a Wednesday and even soar.

On the 5th Bill C and Paul P took the 3rd and 4th launch but didn’t return immediately clocking up 25 and 21 minutes respectively.  A little later Tony P pipped that with 30 minutes but it was Ken R in the Vega that was soaring god of the day with 34 minutes.  James H wheeled out the winch that had the transmission problems.  Having tested it launching tyres it was time to try something a bit more challenging.  First off was yours truly in the K8, 1,600′ launch but I found a way to loose height quickly to get back down in order to see how it faired with a Puchacz.  Ken R was already settled into the Puchacz so I jumped in to provide a bit more ballast.  Launch was fine and the winch declared fit for service.  A huge, huge thanks to James H (and assistants) for getting us to nirvana (i.e. 2 operational winches).  28 launches clocked over the day.

Strangely, Saturday was flyable (but reportedly somewhat sporting) with Bob S forgetting to return to earth for 39 minutes.  There were a few other extended flights but none even got to half of Bob’s time.  26 launches.  Normal weekend flyability resumed on Sunday with a storm.

Thanks to Bill C handily having his chain saw in his car the fallen branches got chopped into draggable bits and the early birds at the club cleared the track.  Another “sporting” day with 2-up flying being the order of the day – until towards the end of flying after a rain shower passed it got a lot calmer.  A modest 16 launches with only one extended flight (Martin S with 12 minutes).  A few SUGC members were able to take advantage of few (or no) lectures to come and fly.