Thursday dawned as another morning of high relative humidity in the Blackdown Hills.
However, the low cloud base provided an opportunity to complete some important preparations for the coming Charities Day. By early afternoon the field was perfectly mown and temporary fencing was in place, ready for the public’s arrival on Friday.
The Windy forecast had suggested that the low cloud might clear from around 14:00, and this proved to be the case. With a reduced complement of pilots by this stage, Duty Instructor Mike Sloggett decided to set up an aerotow-only operation, kindly supported by the hard-working Alan Rappaport in Bumble Bee.
The Grob Twin Acro EZE and Junior LRD were towed out, and flying began just after 1500.
There was a light to moderate southerly breeze on the field, while mostly clear blue skies were punctuated by occasional cloud streets from the WSW, more or less aligned with the surface wind, with a base of around 850 ft.
Mike took the first launch in the Grob, and Callum Ellis the second in Junior LRD. As Mike worked his way down the dual list, Callum mysteriously stayed airborne, flying straight lines parallel to the clouds at around 1,200 ft, finally landing after 45 minutes. There was some debate as to what magical force had been at play: had he found reduced sink, very gentle lift, or something more interesting on the western side of the cloud streets?
By 18:15 everyone had flown and the gliders were packed away.
After discussion in the clubhouse and examination of the satellite images with Pete and Jill Harmer, we learned that it was wave. The confusing thing was that the streets were more or less aligned with the surface wind, rather than perpendicular to it as we would more regularly expect in wave conditions.
Every day is a schoolday for this glider pilot! Richard Lean.
