The forecast was suggesting low cloud with very little thermal possibility. The forecast wind of 9 knots from just south of east raised the possibility of some wave but the atmospheric sounding did not support this idea; there was no inversion.
Arriving at the airfield it was immediately obvious that there was something wrong with the forecast, at least locally. Brentor sat in the middle of a large blue hole. To the east, over Dartmoor, sat a roll cloud on the hilltops. So there is some wave after all. A closer inspection of the sky revealed little clouds forming in the wave rotors. Could be a rough ride then.
Today’s instructor, Ged Nevisky, arrived to authorise the airfield but he was unable to fly as he had injured his back. I was already planning to fly the air experience visitors so added the club trainees to my list so that everyone could fly, although I would have to do all the take offs and landings. This is one of the limitations of an Air Experience Instructor.
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| The view from the wave looking down on the clouds and airfield |
There first flight revealed very rough flying conditions. After 15 minutes bouncing around in the rotor turbulence. In these conditions the final approach can be challenging but it was only mildly so today. By the second flight things had changing as the air became thermic breaking up the wave as it tried to form. A the day went on conditions calmed down somewhat. Some of the thermals were astonishing. Although very narrow and broken, reports of 6 knots were not uncommon. This was obviously wave enhanced.
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What do you do while floating around in the top of a wave system for 4 hours.
Take a "selfie" is the obvious answer; at least Mike Gadd thinks so |
There was a good turn out of private gliders with the Open Cirrus, Jantar1, ASW20, K8 and 2 Astirs all making an appearance. Most pilots managed soaring flights. The best flight of the day was 4 hours and 2 minutes by Mike Gadd in the Open Cirrus who used thermals to climb into the wave above. Highest flight today was by Trevor Taylor in the Jantar1 who managed 4700 feet above the airfield in the wave in a flight lasting just short of 2 hours.
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| Club trainee pilot Jorg Beasley waiting to go soaring. |
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| Geff Craggs in the K8 seems to have his own ground crew |
Today’s visitors were Brian Carfey and Ian Osbourne. Both had soaring flights. We will be definitely seeing more of Ian, an ex 747 pilot who is planning to take up gliding. Several of the club trainee pilots also managed soaring flights.
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| Ian Osbourne chatting with Ged Nevisky |
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| Air Experience candidate Brian Carfey |
A great day in interesting conditions.
Steve
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