On entering the airfield the first challenge was to find the hangar. The closer you got to it the thicker the fog. The met man had promised the fog would burn off and we’d be bathed in bright sunshine so it was just a matter of being patient. We managed to keep ourselves occupied. While Ken H and Paul B solved the mystery of lack of power to the radio on the reserve winch the rest of us derigged JMX and moved it into the workshop and clubhouse.
By early afternoon toys were out and we were ready to fly and the launch point (at the south end) was in bright sunshine. Problem was, from there the winch was not visible. Waited a little longer and it appeared but orographic cloud still coming off the ridge. Time came to take a weather check and as the winch power disappeared when I was at 1,200′ half way up the field, I realised that the winch driver must have lost sight of me. Line of cloud below me very noticeably following the ridge. Found my way back to the launch point and we waited another hour. Everyone who wanted to fly got a launch before canopy misting brought an enforced end to the day. Just a dozen launches and Rob J claimed longest flight of the day with 8 minutes (which the log keeper claimed was more to taking off just before the minute clicked over and landing just after another minute clicked over).
It was one of those days that we seemed to have more problems than usual but we over came them, flew and ate donuts (thanks to Paul B filling the donut gap while Peter M is recovering).
Sunday 9th March
The sun comes out, the temperature rises and more people appear at the airfield. Hardly classic flying conditions (inversion with limited soaring opportunities and so-so vis) but just good to be out and flying. Bit of a queue formed for the one K13 available but Ken P (duty instructor) worked his way through the list, completing it by sunset. The Puchacz boys (EUF) rigged and got in lots of launches. There was also the first appearance of Justin’s “new” Pirat. Justin was one happy bunny.
Bob B was the subject of envy, provoking comments such as “that’s a big one Bob”, “have you seen the size of Bob’s” and “how does he hold something that big steady?”. Certainly his new lens was producing spectacular results, such as the photo above.
After a 30 year lay-off from flying, Andrew P popped in to take a look at our operation, flew and joined on the spot.
Special mention of (and thanks to) Rod H who provided us with excellent launches to 2,000′ for much of the day.
Wednesday 5th March
The weather app on my ‘phone said it was clear and sunny. My eyes, however, suggested there was a sheet of cloud completely filling the sky. The sun on broke though briefly to shine on Paul P washing the wings of the Vega. Undeterred, gliders were pulled on line and Carol P took the first launch in the K8 and returned 23 minutes later. That remained the target to beat until, a couple of hours later, Bill C, in the K8, established a new target of 34 minutes. The only other person to get near to that was Paul P in the Vega with 32 minutes. Given the extra launch height available with the K8 and the time just to use that height there were those that argued that the handicapped longest flight would have been with Paul P. The cloud cover stayed all day but out of the 30 launches 2 managed over 30 minutes and another 5 of 20, or more, minutes.
Couple of appearances on the airfield not seen for a while. HAX was rigged and flown for the first time this year and we were able to welcome back Bill O. Despite an 18 month lay-off he certainly hasn’t forgotten how to fly.
Towards the end of the day a big fire on the hill to the south west was pouring out smoke that instead of rising ran down into the valley and up our western ridge
1st March
What a glorious first day of Spring – ideal for a wee cross-country.
Unfortunately, this XC was on foot (views of Didcot and Harwell from the Ridgeway). Reports of difficulties getting up the airfield on Friday and an unpromising forecast resulted in a scrubbed day