What a difference day makes. The forecast had been looking promising for a few days. A strongish wind right down the runway but thermic most of the day. After the wet winter months that the Wednesday Wavers have endured this forecast was slightly unbelievable.
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| Skysight's Windgram predicted a nice thermic day to come |
It was a slow start for the Wavers. The concerns were the state of the airfield and the strength of the wind. Would the wind break up the thermals as is often the case? After the morning brief by Scratch I offered my services as a soaring coach. Although I was Mike Jardine's Basic Instructor today we had no visitors scheduled so I was at a loose end. Lance, Michael M-S, and Viktor were keen to learn what they could. I briefed them on the BGA's soaring protocol on thermals and gave some insights on thermalling techniques.
If the Wavers launched from the south side of the track at the east end, and didn't take any vehicles near the launch point bus then we could operate with care. Hangar unpacking commenced.
Colin arrived and elicited some help to turn CCY's wing in the workshop. The aileron hinge repair is complete and the aileron reinstalled. All that remains is applying fresh Ceconite fabric to the access holes previously made to do the work; superseam, iron, dope, undercoat and top coat. All in a day's work for a Part 66L senior engineer.
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| The conditions were deemed too windy for the K-8 so it was walked back to the hangar |
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| Gliders ranged ready for their Daily Inspections |
While the Daily inspections were underway three privateers rigged: Andy (Libelle), Phil (DG300), and Steve Fletcher (Open Cirrus). Steve's 17.7m wings which would prove suitable in today's conditions.
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| Dave Osment and Andy discuss the rigging of his Libelle whilst two wannabe glider pilots put the world to rights. |
After the morning briefings Mike Bennett and John Smith set about removing the old wood burner. After many years of use and much abuse by "stoker" Ged we received a very kind donation from Mary Wells of Saltash who had seen our plea on social media for a replacement. Mary is having a bit of house remodelling done, and her wood burner was going to be removed. We are very thankful she found a new home for it with us. Many thanks Mary.
While the building team set about removing the flue and the old one. I checked out what we had got. A 6 Kw multi fuel burner with "air wash" ventilation. Five inches wider and two inches deeper than the original one.
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| A helpful comment from the Fleet Manager; "If we need spare parts just look at the maker's plate on the back....." Yes, it's in French! |
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| A man holding his pipe (other captions were available but not chosen) |
When the flue came down it was shot through with holes and would need replacing.
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| John and Mike in "fluent" discussion. |
The new wood burner was cleaned and inspected. Yes it would require replacement baffles in due course, but the imperative is to obtain a new flue.
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| Our "new" wood burner, in place, and looking resplendent. We were also given a stove fan. |
With the final privateers rigged it was time to go flying. Mike Jardine had a weather check flight, enjoying a high launch height and told us it was game on. Mike had a light dance card today; trainees David Osment, Michael M-S, Lance Whitehead, solo pilot David Archer, and a returning member from Cornwall, Harvey Hunt. We last saw Harvey in July but his work and life got in the way. He had been making good progress last year and despite the extended layoff it was clear that he had forgotten little. He certainly met the German glider pilot definition of frühlingsblume (a spring flower which comes out when the sun starts to shine).
Cunningly Harvey was trying to bring life and passion together by bringing his long term girlfriend Kate Jones to the airfield (I'll let the reader decide which way around these priorities are).
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| After the DG300 is rigged it's time for the Open Cirrus to emerge from its trailer and take to the air. |
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| A lovely, albeit hazy, sky at 3,000 feet AGL. Phil in his DG300 was out there, but Steve missed him with his camera! |
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| Steve Fletcher's overhead view of the airfield |
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| Steve eventually topped out at 3,200 feet AGL south of Lifton. If you zoom in you can probably see diesel on sale at 195.0p a litre! |
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| Dave Osment heads back to the airfield |
This meant that there was some reliable soaring to be had if you could connect with a cloud street. The Duty Instructor did with David Osment (16 minutes), Lance (12 minutes) and Harvey (12 minutes). I did with Michael M-S (15 minutes), and Lance (34 minutes). On the latter flight Malcolm joined us several times in the Astir CS77 (54 minutes) as did Harvey with Mike.
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| Mike Jardine and Harvey's view, in FGR, of Lance and Gavin, in FSD, perfectly positioned on the opposite side of the thermal. |
After I finished soaring coaching in FSD I handed the glider over to Scratch. Harvey had been busy when not in the air and had arranged for some flights for Kate. Obviously not deterred by the day's introduction to gliding, she had two flights with Scratch.
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| Kate Jones prepares herself for a Friend's and Family flight with Scratch |
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| By mid-afternoon the wind chill in the brisk breeze was overcoming the efforts of the sun. Spring might have sprung but boy it was cold! |
As the day drew to a close hangar flights were made, and we put the gliders to bed. We were out on our timing by about ten minutes as an unexpected rain shower came in while the hangar doors were still open. Up until then we had avoided the rain showers that had been active in the distance during the afternoon.
What a difference a day makes. Twenty-six flights with ten of them soaring flights. The season has begun. The Wednesday Wavers were elated.
Gavin Short
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