I took three launches before I connected with a decent thermal. Then got up to 4500' and suddenly it dawned - now I had to turn my back on the airfield for the first time on my own and fly away from it. Took a bit of courage I have to say. But having set off and picked up the A34 first a bit north of my intended track which should have gone to Bullington Cross and gaining confidence as I was not losing height as much as I thought I might, my thermalling still needs a polishing up I decided I had to keep going. It was reassuring for a while still hearing the Shalbourne launch point on the radio.
I probably took more thermals than necessary but then I err on the very cautious side. The sight of Lasham gave me a thought of theres somewhere I could land but then thought better of it after all I still had plenty of height. Only one point did I have an anxiety attack when I had dropped to 2000' about 20 or so miles out from Parham and all I could see in front and to the side were trees but then picked up the lift again and as I turned I could see the fields that I had passed so there was no real issue. Thereafter it was a straight run down the valley to Parham although I did take couple of turns for peace of mind.
Colin had lent me his GPS whc was useful for pointing in the direction of the airfield but that was all I used it for. Just as well though cos I nearly missed it! Only downside was a slightly rough landing having waited for a while to see which way/where they were landing but then had to go for the standard option of landing in the same direction as the take off run with a cross wind. There was a small sharp up slope on the landing run and I didn't spot it so the wheel fairing took a battering. Then learnt that unless there is a very strong tail wind they don't land in that direction and watched their own land back towards the launch point. If only I'd tried to use the radio!
It's difficult to remember much about the flight except the panic at 2000' and then the exhiliaration as I realised I was going to make it have set off from Shalbourne not at all confident. Perhaps more will come back as time goes on.
Would I do it again - absolutely!
My thanks to all who encouraged me before I set off and also to Colin and Alan S for retrieving me.
I only struggled because Carol wouldn't take over :-)
ReplyDeleteI took three launches before I connected with a decent thermal. Then got up to 4500' and suddenly it dawned - now I had to turn my back on the airfield for the first time on my own and fly away from it. Took a bit of courage I have to say. But having set off and picked up the A34 first a bit north of my intended track which should have gone to Bullington Cross and gaining confidence as I was not losing height as much as I thought I might, my thermalling still needs a polishing up I decided I had to keep going. It was reassuring for a while still hearing the Shalbourne launch point on the radio.
ReplyDeleteI probably took more thermals than necessary but then I err on the very cautious side. The sight of Lasham gave me a thought of theres somewhere I could land but then thought better of it after all I still had plenty of height. Only one point did I have an anxiety attack when I had dropped to 2000' about 20 or so miles out from Parham and all I could see in front and to the side were trees but then picked up the lift again and as I turned I could see the fields that I had passed so there was no real issue. Thereafter it was a straight run down the valley to Parham although I did take couple of turns for peace of mind.
Colin had lent me his GPS whc was useful for pointing in the direction of the airfield but that was all I used it for. Just as well though cos I nearly missed it! Only downside was a slightly rough landing having waited for a while to see which way/where they were landing but then had to go for the standard option of landing in the same direction as the take off run with a cross wind. There was a small sharp up slope on the landing run and I didn't spot it so the wheel fairing took a battering. Then learnt that unless there is a very strong tail wind they don't land in that direction and watched their own land back towards the launch point. If only I'd tried to use the radio!
It's difficult to remember much about the flight except the panic at 2000' and then the exhiliaration as I realised I was going to make it have set off from Shalbourne not at all confident. Perhaps more will come back as time goes on.
Would I do it again - absolutely!
My thanks to all who encouraged me before I set off and also to Colin and Alan S for retrieving me.