Today was the second flying Wednesday of the Year and as ever the Wednesday Wavers were determined to go flying. However, they would have to hold their horses for a while as the forecast was for fog in the morning, but it was expected to burn off to reveal a glorious calm, sunny day, which it did. For once all the forecasts were in agreement. The only question that remained as to when the fog would clear.
I arrived slightly late following some chores at home and encountering an minor road traffuc accident on the Gulworthy Cross to the Copper Penny pub road.
When I arrived it was a veritable pea souper but the hangar doors were being opened.
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Gliders in the fog
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A small dedicated, but nameless (you know who you are) team conducted further repairs of the northwest corner of the clubhouse whilst other Wavers got the gliders and kit out. By the end of the day the work was almost complete. A "Proper job" as we say on the other side of the border. Although the phrase "Proper job" is quintessentially Cornish it
was originally used in India in the
19th century. It was the praise used to describe the actions of the 32nd Cornwall Regiment in protecting the
British residency in Lucknow during the Indian Mutiny of 1857. |
Clubhouse repairs progressing nicely
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After Daily Inspections were complete there was a pause. We welcomed back Neal Oxley who had been busy over the Christmas break producing a prototype 3D-printed glider battery box. Feedback from DB, I, and others ensured that the final product will be just what is needed, and most importantly meets our BGA Inspector's approval. It was a marvel of construction and typically I forgot to take a photograph of it. I must remember to do so when the final product is revealed.
The sun started to break through the fog, snippets of blue sky were seen, and so flying operations commenced.
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Daily Inspection complete let's take K-13, FGR to the launch point if we can find it!
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Mike Jardine, after a pitch inspection, decided to deploy one K-13, FGR, one K-8 FXB and the Astir CS77. One private aircraft was rigged. And no it wasn't Andy but it was a Libelle (variant).
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Privateers Mike Bennett and Hugh Gascoyne rig their Club Libelle for its first outing in 2025
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Not all proceeded to the launch point to fly. Scratch was involved in repairs and modifications to the green tractor. The clubhouse exterior work continued, noisily with power tools and Colin and I tackled the annual inspection of the Puchacz wings. We had to move DB out onto the apron as his use of the "chop saw" in the hangar, to produce fuel for the club house wood burner, was deafening.
I undertook the cleaning and Colin the inspection of the wings which of course includes "the tap test". Periodically we would call for assistance in turning wings and repositioning them. Both wings received a clean bill of health. Cleaning one one of the wings including the use of cutting paste as well as polish on some previous gel coat repairs. Lots of elbow grease produced a stunning result. Now Colin will undertake the paperwork and the Puchacz, after a few final jobs, will be ready to be reassembled when needed as we approach Spring.
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Wing work in the hangar
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To conserve our prime asset I will arrange a polishing session for the
Puchacz so it's looking its best when we start to fly it again. Its very therapeutic work. Honest!
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The Puchacz fuselage is very mobile in the hangar with its belly dolly and new tail dolly
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Robin, our resident doctor, had obviously being reading a copy of Sailplane and Gliding as he brought part of his yacht mast to the club for repair. Colin was up for a challenge and was happy to advise.
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Extraordinary things going on in the hangar! "Ready about".
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It was difficult for those working in the hangar to appreciate what a lovely day had developed and that the Wednesday Wavers were having fun getting current in the very benign conditions.
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A misty start at the launch point at the east end
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With the gliders arranged at the launch point there was some waiting to be done for the visibility to improve and the misting on the canopies to clear.
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Astir CS77, DNE
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Ka-8b, FXB
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K-13, FGR
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First up was a Flight Instructor check flight for Peter. Then Mike Jardine commenced training in amongst solo flights from those who were already current.
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The airfield covered in low broken clouds
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Peter's view to the west with Saunder's scrapyard in the foreground
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Looking South from the northern side of the airfield
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Then it was the turn of the trainees; Neal and Geoff both cranking out three training flights a piece to get back in the groove. I am uncertain what exercises they accomplished but "the other instructor on the field" commented that Geoff's flight was better than Sunday. I think that's a compliment! That notwithstanding, Neal later clocked up a milestone in his log book by making his 50th flight. Well done.
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Mike Jardine and Neal Oxley prepare for the first training flight of the day. Behind them the Club Libelle, DVM, prepares to join the launch queue
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Neal back in the saddle, practicing circuits |
Mike Bennett took the second launch in the K-8 for an eight minute circuit so there must have been some lift out there.
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The glass single-seaters lining up to launch John Allan and then Hugh Gascoyne into the crystal clear blue sky
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The K-8 was clearly the chariot of choice in today's conditions with Steve also managing eight minutes of "wafting about" in the clear air. He was followed by Peter who managed seven minutes and "Liftmeister" Malcolm who also matched the eight minute target for the day, but it did take him three launches to achieve it.
During the day Hugh enjoyed three flights and Mike Bennett a single flight in their Club Libelle. The Astir CS77 was flown by John Allan, Phil, John Smith, Andy, and Malcolm.
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| Can you spot the Astir CS77 in the circuit? |
Dave arrived on time today, and was rewarded with a check flight with Mike, was cleared to go solo, and then took two flights in the K-8. Fresh from his yacht repairs in the hangar, Robin also took a flight with Mike.
At the hangar and club house we were graced by the "Night Owl" who came up to check on our recently acquired solar panels and to plan the installation. Surprisingly, Andrew recounted how he was struggling to make the end of year accounts add up. Strange for one with such a technical background.
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"A cracking day for airing trailers, Grommit!"
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The benign condition only allowed circuits. This meant the launch rate was quite high with all managing to fly their chosen aircraft, some to mark a special occasion.
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John was a willing (?) volunteer for an auspicious flight
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That special occasion was Steve Fletcher's 1,000th launch
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And they come home with an almost perfect two-pointer landing. Bravo!
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The Duty Instructor even had a chance to "waft about" in the K-8.
As the shadows lengthened it was time to bring the toys back to the hangar. I had to call for assistance to place the Puchacz wings and fuselage back in their storage positions to allow the hangar to be packed. Before the Astir CS77 was tucked away I carried out a little bit of maintenance on the nose hook.
After the Club Libelle had been derigged and Phil had hooked up his trailer to take it home the Wednesday Wavers started to depart.
It had been a glorious day and everyone had had their fill. There were a number of notable events. Steve Fletcher took his 1,000th launch and Neal enjoyed his 50th flight in a glider. Congratulations both.
Today the Wednesday Wavers made 30 flights of which ten were training flights. The "Men of the Match" were Mike Bennett, Steve Fletcher, and Malcolm Wilton-Jones with eight minutes in the K-8. It was day of circuits but nobody objected to flying in the smooth conditions.
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The sunset on the way back to Cornwall. The fading sun drops over the horizon to the west. Alas, there was no mystical "green flash" seen.
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As the sun sets the distinctive shape of Kit Hill is bathed in an orange glow.
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Lets hope for some more of the same in the forthcoming weeks.
Gavin Short
