Generally the forecast looked promising. Long periods of sunshine are sure to provide lots of thermal activity. The only slight concern was the strengthening wind although it was initially SW it was due to back towards the west i.e. almost straight down the runway. Excellent.
We welcomed our first visitor of the day, Sally Nicholson-Smith who enjoyed a soaring flight with Rick Wiles in K13 G-DDMX and left the airfield with a very big smile on her face.
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| Sally Nicholson-Smith waiting for her flight |
Unfortunately, we then had to take the painful decision to cancel our other two visitors for the day because the increasing wind was going to take conditions out of limits for flying visitors. Later we were seeing an average 17.2 knots on the weather station with the gust alarm ( 20+ knots) sounding almost continually.
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| The wind was so strong that the launch hut additional windsock pole gave up the ghost |
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| Bob Pirie took this picture of this quarry with Launceston in the distance |
Club flying continued apace with Bob Pirie taking the longest flight accolade with 2 hours 16 minutes in his ASW20 only returning because flying conditions at height were too cold for him. Chris Jones was a potential victim of the windy conditions with the K8 banished to the hangar. Instead he flew in the K13 with Rick Wiles as safety pilot as the two of them practiced taking video from various mounts inside the aircraft. Chris was amazed to report that they had found a thermal giving a steady 8 knot climb rate. Also worth a mention today was the Twin Astir G-DDSL which reveled in the strong windy conditions giving it's syndicate members several soaring flights.
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| Chris took this picture to show the varios during his flight |
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| Twin Astir G-DDSL waiting for another launch |
Meanwhile back in the hangar, work was carrying on apace with K13 G-CHXP which is having a deep inspection and a new Total Energy system fitted prior to it’s ARC renewal. Many thanks to all those involved.
Steve
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