Sunday 4th September 2011

After what seemed a endless drive, I arrived at the club at around 9.30. There was plenty of scurrying to and fro with students and instructors readying aircraft for what looked like a promising day.

I had checked the RASP soaring forecast, which indicated thermic activity from 9.30 through to 13.30 with 4-6 knot climbs to 2,300 feet. The wind was set to increase SSW 15/25 knots and rain was due to arrive at 3 o'clock. As it happened, this was spot on.

The aircraft were towed out and the instructors commenced on what seemed to be an enormous flying list. As it turn out not everyone flew but it wasn't for lack of trying.

With my own soaring time suffering of late I decided to take G-DDWG the K8 for a fly. I released the wire at 1300 feet straight into lift, climbing to 2300  feet and was rewarded with a aerial display by our local buzzards which can only be described as mesmerising ! Wow what an absolute privilege. This also gave me longest flight of the day 33 minutes.(being mindful of my position with the wind conditions; a field landing would not have helped today).

By early lunch time the wind had increased making for very difficult flying, with a tricky southerly cross wind to contend with. All flights were being flown laying off to the south to assist our winch master Alan Ballard who worked extremely hard in providing consistent launches and organising the retrieval and tow out teams all day . Well done Alan and one and all. (You might just have the knack by now)

The instructors in the hot seat were Don and Martin Cropper. with a one day course booked in today and two trial lessons. Not including flying training and check flights.

It was good to see Chris Kaminski and Mike Ashton taking it in turns to try and find the elusive lift in their Pirat.

Well done to Dick Masters who although he has flown a K8 before converted to G-DDWG today and took 3 launches.

Visitors today were Roger Green of "Green Party" fame who currently flies his ASW20 out of Aston Down and Miles Broomilow from South Down Gliding club who, unfortunately, arrived too late in the day to be able to fly but joined us in the club house.

Vic England was at the club yesterday which was a non flying day and today as he was sat in the K13 ready for launch with Martin as the rain arrived at 15.10 and stopped play for the rest of the day, how unlucky is that.

Instructor Martin with new member Victor waiting for a launch (  or the rain as it turned out )

A special thank you to the unsung hero's again in the form of Tom Broadbridge who worked relentlessly ensuring a smooth operation of the launch area only to be thwarted by rain as his turn arrived to fly with Don

The day concluded with for one of Don's lectures on winch launching,

So everyone, lesson of the day, arrive earlier, and get your name on the flying list sooner. This would also get the club flying earlier - so more launches

Sean

Unseen by Sean,

Marta arrived especially early to wash, clean and lubricate the K8 before flying started. Both K13's and the K8 were out of the hangar before anyone else arrived. Marta was joined by Jacob servicing the K8. Great job. Many thanks


Steve