Today started with fog across much of the peninsula, but the sun soon broke through and by late morning the cu were bubbling, and continued to do so through until late afternoon. Then a convergence occurred, but also brought with it what I can only describe as 'thermic murk', which came as part of the package alongside the clearer, colder air.
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| The approach to the airfield early am |
We had the weather and all the ingredients of a fun day ahead of us - and a busy one, too. Today's 'squad' consisted of a small group of our most experienced members (several of them private owners) to help run the show, outnumbered by a handful of our more energetic temporary members and lots of youngsters eager to get airborne. They included 5 Scouts from Guildford (with their leader, Josh Goodwin), Andrew Swann (who at 14 is our youngest regular trainee), and Corban Paine (aged 11) and his mother Leslie, Tony Dean's nephew and sister.
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| Today's scout group |
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| Corban and Leslie Paine |
The only potential downside was a shortage of instructors, so early that morning I phoned CFI Don, who rose to the occasion and arrived mid-morning to support Steve Lewis and yours truly.
With relatively few experienced people around, but plenty of muscle and youthful enthusiasm, we first of all got the club kit out and set up the airfield, then reciprocated by helping the private owners rig their gliders and get them to the launch point. Then we were ready for action - and what a day it was! Everyone flew who wanted to - and even the Zugvogel was extracted from the hangar and kept busy (and for once not abandoned at the launch point for others to put away at the end of the day).
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| Youthful enthusiasm? |
Not sure of the statistics, but most people soared, including my syndicate partner Martin in the ASW 20F, who felt his way into Cornwall and back through the increasing murk returning after a flight in excess of 2 hours, and Jeff Cragg (just-re-treaded to fly the Zugvogel) staying up for 44 minutes and claiming a day's altitude record of 3,000 feet.
In all, thanks to Phil Hardwick's and John Howe's skill with the winch, we achieved 41 launches, and lots of soaring flights. But the most rewarding thing of all was the way our young visitors, our newer members and 'us oldies' had fun together.
Bob Pirie
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