DGS News Wednesday 1st May 2013

Blue sky and a forecast moderate wind from the north east promised a good day. There was further encouragement from our own optimist, Trevor Taylor who was busy telling everyone who would listen ( and some that wouldn’t)  that this was to be the “day of days”, an easy 300km etc.

The wind actually stayed just west of north for most of the day and was 10 – 12 knots for most of that. The soaring conditions never became easy. Later in the day some thermals were workable coming off the north ridge. This required some careful centring to climb quickly enough in the strong northerly wind but once above 2000 feet the thermals were much more organised and it was reasonable straightforward  to work energy lines between this height and the cloudbase at around 3000 feet.

One Day Course candidate Michael Langdon-Howe in the Bocian

There were several soaring flights including both of the 2 seaters. The best flight of the day was 1 hour 54 minutes by Mike Gadd who attempted to fly his Open Cirrus to North Hill and back but the patchy conditions caused him to turn back short of his target. We welcomed Michael Langdon-Howe for his One Day Course. He had an enjoyable day in the Bocian including a couple of soaring flights the longest of which approaching 50 minutes.

Jeff Craggs returned to the airfield today after a 7 month absence but did not get a chance to fly due to the somewhat late start, a slow launch rate and his need to leave early. Sorry for that Jeff. Better luck next time.

Steve