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Windy and Chilli (11 July 2015)

A very changeable day: there was a strong west wind of the sort that gives a tailwind no matter which end of the field you set up on and strangely one that didn’t increase with height much. It made for very broken thermals and getting away was a challenge. Certainly having got away you wanted to stay high.

I went for a cruise in the Nimbo GT and spied with my little eye something beginning with ‘nice farmer man or woman driving a big shiny combine harvester machine and making lovely impromptu airfields out of England’s green and pleasant land… ’ near Devizes.

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After the flying fun we retired to the club house for the Chilli evening where I think I managed not to poison anyone and Tony P also brought along gorgeous salad from his allotment and Chocolate Brownies which went perfectly with Trevor’s fresh picked raspberries.

I cooked up a hot version this morning with the extras I’d bought.

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Hottest July day on record

Indian summer

So said the weatherman after the event.  I just know I was grateful to our winch drivers for promptly getting the gliders moving and some air flowing.  Not that anyone had to suffer the confines of the cockpit for long as all the flights were short.   Longest flight, of 14 minutes, was Colin B  with Denis G who reappeared after sampling a Trial Lesson on the previous Wednesday.

After the day time boys had enough there was a lull before things got busy with the Progression Group and Scouts.  My flight with the first scout was the only one of the day that I’d seen potentially useful lift but with more scouts on the ground eager to fly I wasn’t able t take full advantage or the rising air.

The flights may have been short and the day rubbish but lots of useful training fitted into the 51 launches clocked up.

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Sunday 28th June

28th June

Forecast said the rain would arrive by 05:00 and be gone by 06:00.  Pah!
28th June
On my way to the club along the A4 with the wipers sometimes on slow intermittent and other times on fast intermittent.  Arrived at the club to see winch at the fuel tank, hangar doors open and caravan next to the clubhouse.  Keen buggers all ready to get started.  No hurry though as not quite enough folk and still some rain left.  Gliding tales were spun to the accompaniment of rain on the roof.  Eventually we called it a day and got a little damp putting the toys back knowing that half way home the sun would appear – whatever time we decided to pull the plug.  Didn’t quite work out like that.  Rain had stopped as the field gates were locked but the sun did not appear (well, in Newbury at least) until 17:00.

What a contrast to the previous day when there were 45 launches.  Hopefully someone will add a blog entry for that day.

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Wednesday 24th – Progression Evening

Sunset at Rivar Hill

Sunset at Rivar HillThis was the first of our planned Wednesday evening sessions with the aim of concentrating on specific exercises, in fact those who attended were working towards “off checks” or “Bronze” flying tests.

Field landings, cable breaks and stalling exercises were the order of the evening and I’m pleased to report that everyone enjoyed the flights and seemed to get a lot out of it.

Many thanks to Rod for agreeing to drive the winch and to Carol for being the other instructor.

We flew a total of 17 flights, the last of which took off at 20:54.