After yesterday's torrential rain the airfield was surprisingly dry. Today's forecast was for a typical summer, low pressure day; Showers and strong, blustery winds. The forecast wind strength meant that, reluctantly, we had to cancel our visitor flying today. The good news, was that although strong the westerly wind was straight down the runway, so, with care, some flying would be possible. The only sensible decision in these conditions was to field a single K13 to ensure safe ground handling. The K8s and Zugvogel were left in the cozy hangar.
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| The view over Tavisotck to the Tamar Estuaries from 2000 feet |
First up was returning visitor Steve Hassall who is keen to start learning to fly. After a delayed start due to the first shower of the day, instructor Mike Jardine flew with Steve for 3 circuits in the buoyant conditions.
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| Mike was happy with his soaring flight |
The next up was Mike Bennett. Luckily there was a black looking cloud street directly overhead. Aided by a 1450 feet launch they hooked into some very strong lift and whisked up to cloudbase. After 24 minutes the cloud had moved away so it was back to the airfield.
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| ^6 knots at 2000 feet wings level - amazing |
Steve Hassall took another flight with Mike and this time they were rewarded with the flight of the day, 43 minutes at cloudbase giving Steve lots of time on the controls. Great stuff.
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| Steve Hassall with Mike Jardine |
Only 2 more flights, a circuit by Phil Harwick and an extended circuit followed by a 29 minute romp with Scratch and Rick before the K13 was returned to the hangar ahead of the next showers.
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| Scratch and Rick looking serious. |
So an interesting day punctuated by a few showers to give us practice at drying the glider and a wind that was strong enough to refresh the pilots skills in dealing with this.
Steve
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