After the early morning front had passed through (see photo), and with no
visitors scheduled, there was every prospect of today becoming a pleasant
south-easterly day – and so it turned out. With recently qualified instructor
Peter Howarth at the helm, we had proceedings underway by 10:00, and with Paula
Howarth, Leith Whittington, Colin Boyd and Rich Roberts taking up the 'Dress
Circle' in the single seaters, whilst Dave Downton, Dave Westcott, Ed Borlase
and Ben Caverhill mucked in with the two-seaters the 'stalls', we managed a full
day's flying, with 29 launches overall.
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| As soon as an early morning trough had passed through, we were ready to go. |
Dave Downton and Joe Nobbs provided entertainment for all with simulated
launch failures, whilst Joe also won the accolade of Flight of the Day in the
K-13 by bumping into a mildly buoyant thermal just south of the winch for a full
12 minutes – thus causing third degree burns (thankfully not permanent) to his
wallet!
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| Joe Nobbs brings K-13 DMX into land after a successful simulated launch failure. |
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| Ben Caverhill practices use of the trim lever after changing speed. |
Not all the entertainment was in the air, however, as Phil Hardwick
demonstrated during his check flights with Peter Howarth with a devastating
display of millinery (ie. a fez-like hat) that would have had Tommy Cooper
gasping how he did it (answer? - Just like that!)
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Glider Pilots do it... in hats!
Phil Hardwick models the ‘must have’ in this season’s gliding millinery... |
As the sun dipped behind a cloud bank at about 4:30pm the temperature
plummeted and it was time to get the gliders back to the (relative) warmth of
their hangar.
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| Rich Roberts looks for ways to improve the launch rate whilst Joe Nobbs mounts up. |
Thanks go to Rich Roberts and Dave Downton for driving the winch, and all
those who ran the retrieve and launchpoint: a lean, mean team who consistently
delivered just over 5 launches per hour throughout.
Martin Cropper
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