With recent excitement regarding the possibility of wave today on the forum and chats the early activity at the club when I arrived indicated the optimism. The forecast easterly was in practice more north easterly, but there were signs around that there might be wave present.
Andy Davey was keen to get in the air, so after a morning brief he took a launch. His account follows:-
Wednesday wave. I was meant to be at Portmoak in Scotland for the wave but with easterly wind forecast there was no chance. So was it worth the 588 mile drive home for the wave at Brentor? There was evidence of wave when I arrived at the club so with the glider on line I took a launch to 1650ft (thanks Richard). I now needed to make a decision go straight out towards the moor or turn left and head for some wave looking cloud I made the wrong one when I arrived at what I thought would be a wave bar I found nothing but sink and at 750ft had to scuttle home. Luckily the second cable was still there so I took a second launch at the top turn left towards a good looking wave bar. Just over 2km north of the field contacted the lift and started to climb away slowly at first then the lift improved. Once above 4500ft was able to use the wave over the danger area and eventually managed a clime to just over 7800ft. The lift then started to fade so I decide to see if there was a wave bar down wind of the airfield and there was one running from Gunnislake to Roadford but this was also fading so it was time to land. Was it worth the drive yes. Moral of the story the early bird catches the wave.
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| Andy established in the wave. |
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| Climbing well at 5500ft. |
I took a quick launch in the K13 to check conditions before training began. With little turbulence on the launch and approach it was deemed suitable for both training and visitor flying to take place. I would gradually work through the list of trainees today. John Osment, David Osment, Geoff Cooper, Viktor Skochko and Loraine Kindley. All made progress in their individual ways.
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| Viktor keeping a good lookout. |
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| Hazy view to the south. |
Duty IFP today would also have a busy schedule today with four visitors. Hugh's first visitor was Ollie George. A 2nd year student from South Molton. An 18th birthday present from his parents, he enjoyed two flights thrilled with the launches and aspires to be a pilot.
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| Ollie ready with Hugh. |
Returning visitor Clare Matthews had a flight with Hugh before the next arranged visitor Peter Northmore arrived. Peter is a retired probation service employee from Launceston. He had three flights the third of which was an extended flight in weak thermals.
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| Peter receiving his certificate. |
Jim Bishop was next to fly with Hugh. Jim is a drone pilot so was at ease when Hugh side slipped on the approach of the second flight.
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| Jim ready to go, |
The last visitor today was Richard Follett. A retired CAD and 3D rendering specialist was bought the voucher as a birthday present. He arrive with friend Jim Bishop to share the experience with.
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| Richard with a happy Hugh. |
Clare who flew earlier had another two flights with BI Scratch and her partner Paul Mitchell had two flights with BI Gavin to end a good day flying. 42 flights achieved flying from the west end is always a great day. Only one wave flight, but all had a good day flying. Thank you all for your help today.
Peter Howarth
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