With storm Betty moving away, the forecast was for low cloud in the morning clearing mid/late morning with a south westerly breeze and soaring conditions during the afternoon. What we got was low cloud with rain showers, a moderate southerly wind and initially little chance of flying. With the hangar still full, room was made in the maintenance container for K6 G-CEWO to be placed so that the annual inspection could be undertaken by Adam, Colin and Ed.
The field had been set up early by ever optimistic Richard Roberts, but first we had to consume cups of tea and coffee in the clubhouse. Eventually after an early lunch the sky started looking brighter, so a K13 was prepared and towed to the east end. After a weather check flight launched at 13:27 which found the cloud base to be around 1000ft, general flying could commence.
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| Low cloud stopping flying. |
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| Eventually the sky cleared. |
Due to the rain and low cloud this morning we had to cancel the first trial flight of the day, junior visitor Jamie Young, so that he didn't have a nugatory journey from West Cornwall. Jamie, we look forward to seeing you again when you have rebooked.
Our first visitor did arrive. IT Specialist Chris Jones and family were in the local area having come down to the West Country from Wincanton. Despite the low cloudbase he enjoyed his flights with Gavin, one of which was an extended flight of 9 minutes.
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| Chris Jones with Gavin. |
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| Chris receiving his certificate from Gavin. |
Morgan Beeley came with her parents from Mary Tavy. Morgan was down from Swindon to support her younger sister who was due to give birth shortly. Nice programming Morgan; babies and glider flights. Morgan enjoyed her flights with our newly-minted Introductory Flight Pilot, Steve Fletcher, which included a 12 minute soaring flight and an opportunity to spot the family home from the air.
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| Morgan Beeley with new IFP Steve. |
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| Morgan being congratulated by Steve. |
After the visitors had left training resumed with Night Owl Andrew Downing taking his first flights in four weeks. Three flights saw him go from a little rusty to flying the whole flight and coping with the cross wind take-off's and landings.
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| Andrew back in the saddle. |
Sean Westrope was hoping for some soaring today. Unfortunately conditions didn't develop as forecast, so his flights were utilised to concentrate on finessing his cross-wind landings. Three good landings gave him a good confidence boost on his journey to solo.
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| Sean's view to the south. |
Richard Roberts took Andrew for a flight and demonstrated a different approach direction from the north and landing on the stub runway. Finally Ed and Adam came to the launch point after successfully completing the K6 ARC. Each had a solo flight in the K13 to close flying at 18:16 and 15 flights. A day which started looking like no flying would be possible, but we managed some aviation and everybody flew who wanted to.
Peter Howarth
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