Setting off for the airfield this morning things looked hopeless. There was very low cloud and drizzle blanketing the south of Dartmoor. Arriving at the airfield, still hopeless with very low cloud covering the whole sky. Strangely the members were fairly upbeat. They had been studying all the available forecasts and were hanging onto the RASP forecast which suggested a soaring window mid afternoon.
 |
There is a minor problem with the canopy fit.
The technical team are looking into it |
The morning and early afternoon were filled with members getting on with a dizzying array of tasks. Colin, Adam, Gavin and Scratch were working on CCY which is offline for it's annual C of A and some TLC including improving the canopy retaining system. Mike was tidying up around the site engaging help when required. John was involved with the Atom base station software and seems to have it working. Heather was painting doors in the clubhouse. In fact, there was so much going on that I lost track. Thankyou everyone.
Lunch came and went, with the sky still looking hopeless but by about 2pm there was a tiny patch of blue sky and the cloudbase looked high enough to at least allow a launch. Game on. The airfield was readied with the winch at the east end ( the wind was light from the NE ). NE wind! at DGS! must be wave then. The forecast soundings suggested not but experienced DGS pilots just adopt wait and see approach.
 |
| Happy to be flying. Simon and Mike getting ready |
 |
| Simon Vallance climbing towards the 2200ft cloud base |
 |
| Some interesting cloud formations |
 |
| Malcom and SF27 being recovered by Adam |
First launch 3pm in the k13 followed by Malcom in the SF27 who found weak wave to 2200ft. The best soaring was found later after the sun had warmed up the ground somewhat. Pilots launching around 5.30pm found the air "fizzing" with thermal bubbles. With careful use these bubbles would lift the gliders to the 1800ft cloud base. Occasionally some of the bubbles grouped together ( wave influence? ) to give a 4 to 6 knot ride up to the cloudbase once more. In places lines of weak wave could be found the help with the overall fun.
 |
| Mike and John chatting before John's solo flight |
 |
| John on approach |
 |
| Marmite sandwich john? |
 |
| Me sky watching while waiting for cables |
 |
| Simon looks happy with his day |
Longest flight of the day was by Malcom in the SF27 at 1hour 16 minutes. Notable soaring flights were posted by Steve Lewis (K8), Mike Jardine and Simon Vallance (K13), Scratch and Heather (K13).
So from a hopeless start, great fun was eventually had by many. The members optimism was not misplaced after all.
Steve
No comments:
Post a Comment