This time it was Paul P’s turn to throw down the gauntlet on the second launch of the day setting 19 minutes as the time to beat. It wasn’t until almost two hours later Chris K and Rob J returned in a K13 after a 30 minute flight. There then followed a debate as to whether the time per glider or time per pilot should claim the honours. Out of the 21 launches only 2 others flights broke into double digits (but not by much).
Mainly circuits (with a bit of bung pulling) but a pleasant day anyway. We are hoping Peter M is making a speedy recovery as he is (and the Wednesday donuts are) missed.
Sunday 2nd March
Despite today turning out to be a non-flying day at least one member managed to get something out of his trip to the club.
Congratulations to Justin Butler for successfully passing his Bronze Theory test…..Well done Justin!
Phil
Saturday 22nd
Second launch of the day, Mark P is thrown at the sky and sticks. The K13’s just stuck to circuits while Trevor G and Bob B pulled out the Vega. Bob took a launch ready to grab some of the rising air that the K8 continued to enjoy but was back on the ground within minutes reporting that he only just got back having found some 6 down (or it having found him). Mark returned after being observed practicing spins and climbing back to cloudbase at 2,000′. Everyone else continued to do circuits until Nigel managed a whole 12 minutes in the K8. A little later I made an attempt at Nigel’s record (no need to be too ambitious) and managed to record the shortest flight of the day thanks to a failed weak link. Next attempt somewhat better with a launch to 2,000′ and a climb to 3,000′ drifting to the gibbet. Mark’s record remained completely safe all day.
Richard D (as duty instructor) was kept busy and we clocked up 35 launches.
Wednesday 19th February
After the fog and drizzle cleared there appeared a ragged cloud base of between 800 and 1400 feet which lifted by degrees until the sky briefly cleared in the afternoon. The faithful had broken into two cohorts, one completing the repair to the hangar roof and cladding while the other took unusual pleasure in squeezing every last minute out of each flight and celebrating 12 minutes airborne as though it were a Silver Duration. Such is midweek gliding. 🙂
Having now had both fuselage and wings recovered JPC looks brand new and handles likewise having been beautifully restored under Andy Brind’s supervision. Just how he got a paint finish like that in the winter weather is a mystery!
And in it I had the privilege of introducing Jonty’s seven year old son to the sport of gliding. Get your dad to bring you again in the summer William!