At this time of year making the most of a potential flying day is important not least when we have had several weeks of damp and/or windy weather resulting in very limited opportunities to fly.
With the forecast suggesting a reasonable day, if the weather remained broadly true to forecast, members had been invited to indicate their possible support for a Club ‘ad hoc’ day and with sufficient evident interest in flying, the day was confirmed.
Arrival at the Club suggested that members’ optimism would be rewarded so after a suitable morning briefing, including reminders to all to ‘wrap up warm’ due to the brisk wind and Easterly direction, with resultant wind chill, soon gliders were being brought out of the hangar whilst the airfield was set up for winch and aerotow launching from the East end.
By mid-morning flying was underway and with a strong but straight down the airfield wind direction winch launches were around 1500ft leaving the EuroFox rather redundant initially.
The initial Blue card colour limited some solo flying whilst checks were completed with Yellow card pilots and then with some potential wave around the airfield aerotows became popular to try and find the elusive potential lift.
By lunchtime, the flying list had made good progress, so with the warm surroundings and hot food and drink offerings of the Clubhouse beckoning, a lunchbreak was called to allow all to refresh and recharge, and importantly ‘warm up’!
After lunch, flying continued allowing additional currency and training flights in turn completing the flying list – and then with a lowering sun threatening to disappear behind a large cloudbank to the East, the decision was made to start flying the gliders back to the hangar.
A day when everything came together, 27 winch launches and 7 aerotows the weather played fair and member optimism was rewarded with great teamwork across the airfield, allowing members and instructors to regain currency – thanks to all who helped to make today happen! – Mike Sloggett
