The forecast was for easterly wind 10-15 knots, so would it be a wave day? However the wind hadn’t read the forecast and was due north about 10 knots on the ground. As there were only six pilots at the airfield today, it was decided to use the K13 and K8 for the days flying.
I took the first launch to do weather check. I flew towards the SW corner of Blackdown and found some lift. Although it was hard work, I thought it was a mixture of thermal and weak wave. I looked down towards the airfield and saw the K8 launch, only managing a quick circuit. I landed after 23 minutes having climbed to 1500ft and then losing the lift.
Next into the K13 was Scratch for his first flights after lockdown.
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| Scratch settling into the K13 |
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| K8 taking off. |
Just before 2 o’clock, it was Malcom’s turn to fly the K8. After launching he could be seen climbing slowly east of the airfield. Steve jumped into the K13 to try and join him. Malcolm was turning quite tightly and climbing away. Steve could not quite match him and landed after 15 minutes. Malcolm was now climbing a lot quicker and was obviously in wave and soon out of sight.
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| Malcolm climbing through 5000ft |
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| Topping out just under 6000ft |
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| View over Dartmoor |
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| View over Dartmoor |
Andy meanwhile took off in the K13 and was soon climbing away.
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| Climbing well towards 3000ft |
Malcolm eventually landed after a flight of 1hour 18minutes. As nobody else wanted to fly, I jumped into the K8. I managed a 48 minute flight climbing to 5000ft.
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| My view of the Tamar valley |
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| My view of Tavistock towards the moor. |
A very successful day with 20 flights, and it was worth waiting. The wave developed mid afternoon and made the day for the pilots who were able to take advantage of it.
Thank you to everybody who were at the airfield today and contributed to a successful day and smooth running including Scratch and new winch driver Gavin who produced good launches in the testing conditions..
Peter Howarth
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