Christmas flying

Is it just me or was the build up to Christmas not as longwinded as it has been in previous years? Usually I seem to start suffering around September time noticing the harbingers’ introducing mince pies and Santa hats but this year it really seemed to start a little later. There’s still the complete and anarchic scramble for food at the supermarket, and watching the people hell bent, single-mindedly focused on grabbing as much food as they possibly can because (in their minds) this will be the last opportunity to eat for months and albeit the shop are closed for just one day there’s simply no persuading them the end of the world isn’t gong to happen. It’s just another day, but with a few more mouths to feed, and on that note if these people are buying extra because of guests, surely not everyone has to buy extra?

I waited my time, carefully calculated the best time to get my provisions and pounced Christmas Eve about ten pm. Ok so I had to wade through scattered vegetables on the floor and dodge the few zombie shoppers wandering around lost in their world of Chrimble purchasing, but I grabbed what I wanted and needed and was all finished in 20 minutes.

Christmas turkey was in fact lamb as requested by my daughter, it was nice, peaceful and I needed the break.

But, festive feasting can only last so long, it’s nice to spend time with loved and of course there’s family to entertain. But it’s nice when they either go or you leave.

Once I got back MY peace and quiet my mind turned to the important things in life and I decided to go flying. The weather looked good for Lleweni Parc so I called Kevin who confirmed he would be operating.

I hooked up my trailer, good ol’ LS7 and zipped up to Denbigh. Luckily I’d found a really lovely place to stay which if you decide to go gliding up there is simply the very best place to stay, oh and very reasonable rates. http://www.glanclwydisa.co.uk/index.php?option=com_hotproperty&task=view&id=1&Itemid=3

The flying was superb, and it was the smoothest wave I’ve ever flown in. I sat there it just over six thousand feet looking over Colwyn Bay and watching the wind turbines in the Irish Sea spinning like children’s pinwheel windmills. It was serene, peaceful and made the world a lovely place to see.

The ying yang of wave flying means you pay for the peace and tranquillity of the smooth air when you decide to land and boy was it rough, things flying about the cockpit, me flying about the cockpit and the glider bouncing around like a cork in a washing machine. It’s a little unnerving and turning finals at a thousand feet at with eighty five to ninety knots on the clock you feel as though there’s no way you can possibly get the glider down, but on getting a little closer to the field and still not using airbrakes you start to wonder if you’re going to undershoot. It’s not too bad really but you should have your mind focused on the job in hand.

I would have stayed longer, the weather was favourable but I developed a cold that blocked my ears, nose and throat so I grounded myself and trailed home.

I had hours of flying, blew away some cobwebs and flew at a new site (again) and had a lovely time, all this in the depths of winter, I would have had to take thirty or more winch launches at Rivar to fly this long…

Happy New Year to all of you!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1SpyMFYzabI&feature=plcp&context=C3869a0dUDOEgsToPDskLZKswbsqjA_6DXfZCHoFQg

Sunday 18th December

After braving the icy roads and dealing with problems with the winch and signalling lights we finally got going about 11am. With a crosswind we were not hopeful of high launches but we were happily proved wrong and many of us took advantage of the 2000ft release heights to prolong our soaring.

Ken Porter quickly set the level at 15 minutes only for Rod Harris (dressed as Santa's little helper.....sorry Rod!) squeaking in a 17 minute flight despite only getting 1800 ft on the wire (No Rod that does not count as a launch failure!). Bill Cook and Steve Gaze completed their annual checks and a good time was had by all.

All in all a good turnout with 24 launches being flown before the bitterly cold air finally sapped our enthusiasm for more.

Phil

Radio training and emergency landings.

I guess this is why we should all get proficient with the radio, you'll never really use it until you really need to.  (as well as field landings)...

Also, so many people say to me that flying in a glider is dangerous as it doesn't have an engine but this shows it can be just as dangerous with on, plus my landings have never been as bad as this one. Not that it's a bad landing, just a good ploughing.
And all this to advertise a watch?? How strange. See http://www.bremont.com/mayday.php

Saturday 10th - on(?) the west ridge

Well OK, as Stephen has asked for an entry.

Keen members Nigel, Graham and Jon got there good and early to help Tim set up. Tim then duly dropped the pen when signing the DI book, and it found its way right down into the skid void. Despite the resultant delay, we got the first launch off just after 10.30, by which time a few more bodies had turned up. Jon did everything right and Tim sent him off for his first solo in 15 years - congrats to Jon.


Then Graham did likewise, and was also rewarded with a couple more solos.

Meanwhile, the K8 pilots were getting 16-1800 ft launches, although it wasn't particulary windy, and heading off to the west to try to out-do each other on the west ridge. Despite it being such a light wind, the ridge was giving some reduced sink, even lift briefly, so there were several flights considerably extended beyond a standard circuit.

All in all, a remarkably decent day for midwinter. The sunset tables now indicate that the sun will begin to set later (even though sunrise will also keep getting later for a few more weeks).

Sunday 11th

Impressive turnout of the duty team (the wondeful C team) despite the rubbish forecast.  Conditions were better than expected but hardly inviting.  Jim Mc turn up just about the time we'd decided that the forecast rain probably was on its way.  Dry when we left but by the time I got home the rain had started..  Yet another no-flyable day - good job they flew yesterday (hopefully someone will add a blog entry about yesterdays 25 launches)

Windy Wednesday (7th)

Modest turnout for a sunny Wednesday (Christmas shopping/chores taking their toll?). After lunch we stirred ourselves into action and started to pull the toys out.  Chris K towed the winch out but once away from the shelter at the top end it started to rock in the wind.  Not a good sign so after consultation with Colin B back came the winch and we packed everything away.

Day trip to the Long Mynd

Seeing the forecast for a strong westerly Carol and I towed the Janus to the Mynd for a spot of wave and ridge soaring. The wind was blowing at a steady 20kts straight onto the ridge so they only give you a lob to about 100-200ft, this is because the idea is to give you plenty of airspeed not height. After being chopped at about 150 ft we had to dive at the ridge, which we cleared by all of 50 ft and contacted amazing lift as we turned left. At Shalbourne a 150ft launch is always followed by a land ahead but in a westerly at the Mynd there is nothing straight ahead to land on!

(Off the wire at about 150ft then dive for the ridge!)

The lift along the ridge was very strong in places with climbs of 6 to 8 kts but highest most of us could get to was just over 1500ft. It seemed that the wave was out of phase with the ridge and was supressing any good climbs. As time went by the airmass changed and weak wave was contacted by quite a few including us. We eventually reached 4000ft before going into cloud but few others were lucky and climbed a bit higher in a few gaps. A call went out from the launchpoint saying that the wind had increased and was now gusting to 45kts! So after watching how a few others flew their circuit we began ours. The brief was to leave the ridge at 1,000ft, fly a high circuit, not to go too far back and to approach at 80 kts.

Despite what seemed a very high circuit and after dodging a few sheep we came to halt just past the launch point.

Even though the round trip took over 6 hrs we both agreed that the 3 hrs soaring made it all worth while.

Phil

Saturday at the Mynd.

Well, Carol and our glorious leader Phil are off to the the Long Mynd where they're hoping to catch some wave. The forecast looks good and the club there have opened a wave box to fl 245. I do hope they can find their rigging pins......I'm working.....

A little wave over the weekend

I had a look at the forecast and having also got a positive email from Steve B, I headed to Denbigh for the weekend.
There weren't many people about, two others on Saturday and only one other on Sunday (not including Kevin who single handed runs the club there).
It transpires an ASW20 which lived at Shalbourne turned up flown by a great bloke called Rob.

I think it was Carol's and syndicated.
I had a launch, but after loosing to a coin toss I ended up at the back of the queue with my wings on trestles waiting for Kevin to get me off the ground. It was all going so well until the winch stalled at 1000 feet so I was left pondering if I should land or head for the hills. Some time later and over 8,000 feet I realised I'd made the right choice.

Landing was not much fun but an approach of 85 knots and turning finals on the threshold at 900 feet saw me landing about the right spot.
Sunday was a little different, clearer skies and not much wave about so I ran the ridge with Rob in the ASW20 and stooged about for a few hours. Oh, did I mention I got a cable break at 950 feet.....
Again the landing was, well exciting and could have benefited from being completely held off. To be honest I was just glad to get to the ground in one piece!
440 miles travel- 2 launches- 2 landings (honest) and 6 hours of flying. 'twas good.

Saturday 26th

Arrived at the field to find equipment DI'd but not moved into position but with my appearancewe had enough to operate (just).  By the time we were ready to fly a few more had arrived so Ken P was thrown into the air for a weather check and to decide whether we just put everything back - there was rather a lot of wind and cloudbase didn't look that grand.  Before the launch Colin suggested to Ken that if cloudbase was at 1,000' then he'd probably still be able to land ahead.  Turned out cloudbase didn't get in the way but we watched the K13 sitting stationary above the winch - when he finally headed downwind for his circuit he really moved.  Just the one K13 out and it was a matter of pick your instructor to fly with.  Just 11 launches but that was enough to take the total launches for November past the number achieved for the whole of November last year.  Longest flight honours went to James W beating the next longest flights by 33% - yup, he managed a whole 8 minutes.

Wednesday 23rd

After a run of duff Wednesdays we finally got to play.  Bob set the standard on the second launch with 14 minutes in the K8 enjoying some week wave.  An achievement no one else was able to match (though a couple of us did manage 13 minutes).  Still some colour in the trees to enjoy.  22 launches even after a late start due to having to sort out 2 flat tyres

Another Sunny Saturday

For once the airfield was clear of the mist and murk that was affecting the surrounding countryside and we were able to fly out over the clouds.

After a flight with Carol I fitted my cheap compact camera into its mount and attached it to the tip of JPC for a flight over the clouds with Colin. A much shortened version is attached here.

Pete Ellison and Steve Barber took advantage of the good conditions (ok they were press ganged into doing them!) and completed their annual checks. Jim McCormick needed very little encouragement in practising his landings and we flew a couple of trial lessons.

Thanks to Ken Reid who volunteered(?) to man the winch for quite some time before taking the K8 off for a flight.

All in all a very good day and surprisingly mild for his time of year. Flights were certainly not long but flying over the cloud was magic!

Phil

Sunny sunday (for mid November).

Another unexpectedly nice day for mid November with winds south of east and a fairly strong increase at height. I sat on the winch basking in the warm autumn sun and occasionally pulling a glider into the air. A little music in my ears and a good book was all I needed or wanted for the day, oh and very pleasant company from the members who turned out to fly. James H was busy getting the Vega trailer finished, and very nice it looks too, Jim had a splendid flight, nearly got the glider on the ground (thanks to Tim’s coaching) and was beaming with pleasure. Trevor took over winching for the afternoon shift which is when we coincidently started getting better winch launches, and I jumped into the Ka13 with Phil to finish off my checks. A very pleasant day indeed.

Sunday 6th November - record day

After no flying on Saturday (low cloud) good turnout on Sunday.  The northerly wind onto our ridge inspired the private Puchacz and the LS3 to be rigged.  We also had visits from piolts from 3 other clubs.  From Lasham were Ayala and Mike T (admittedly just popped in to say hello on their way to Southern Sailplanes) but the chaps from Talgarth and Weston-on-the-Green did fly.  There was ridge lift but not consistent enough (well not for most of us) as it was disrupted by thermals but the thermals weren't really strong enough to be useful.  Half the flights managed between 10 and 30 minutes but 2 others went beyond half an hour - Trevor G with 39 minutes and Colin B with 56 minutes.  Typically, Colin stated the only reason he landed was that he was getting hungry.  I didn't hear any reports of launch heights but I saw 1,900' on a TL flown in a K13.
We only flew for just over 5 hours but clocked up an impressive 44 launches (most launches in an autumn/winter months in the last 5 years - which is as far back as easily accessible records go).  Well done the B team (and the folks who helped keep things moving - especially Chris K and Peter E who did most (all?) the winching between them)

Wednesday 2nd

Arrived at the airfield to find it a hive of activity - Andy B + helpers rigging JMX; Colin B and Ken H working on the generator set-up; James H on the Vega trailer.  More wind about than we'd ideally like (again!) so no rush to get the toys out.  With JMX rigged it was decided to test fly it and check the conditions.  First flight established that 40 knots into wind made naff all progress over the ground.  Second test flight was need to check the rear instruments so Chris K joined me as talking ballast.  Managed to find a modest thermal in which we gained 100' (vario tested both ways) and drifted us into a nice position for the circuit.  On finals coming through the wind gradient saw 15 knots wiped off our speed - fortunately we had 70 knots to start with.  Winch then put away and hangar packed.

Sunday 30th - not officially 'Nice'

I thought that I was on a roll on duty days - after our last duty being soarable all day. Perhaps my problem was swapping with Tim but he promised he'd booked the weather. Today I was (happily) surprised to find myself not the first person to turn up through the drizzle when I arrived at 9 am - James Hunneman was there already. Martin Hoskins and Rob Jarvis arrived subsequently. The low cloud and drizzle amplified to rain and then sank back into cloud and drizzle again.

But be assured - days like these are not days to miss - you can learn a huge amount on the ground even if you don't fly. We amused and enlightened ourselves with some trace analysis until 11.30 or so and then in the absence of anyone else to do any groundschool with, we abandoned the day and went home. Hasta la vista, comrades!

Saturday 29th

Yet another windy day but with it being pretty much southerly, no nasty lumpy bits on the approach.  Starting finals from 500' just the one hedgerow back it was easy to land opposite the launch point!  There were thermals but they were mainly being ripped apart by the wind but there were a few significant climbs reported.  Some weak wave also found.  Chris K reported the highest launch of the day (2,100' in a K13) and Peter E took the longest flight honours at 16 minutes.  Half the flights managed double digit duration.

Sunday 16th - visiting Challock

On holiday in Kent so snuck off to visit the nearest gliding club.  Warm (for the time of year) sunny day with little prospect of soaring.  No difficulty finding the club and after signing in at the office made my way to the busy launch point.  Despite it being so busy was made welcome - apparently a visitor from another club is something of a novelty.  Had my site check in one off their K21's and then took to the sky in their Junior on the last launch before the break for lunch (struck me as an odd thing to do).  My reward for flying into the lunch break was some modest soaring - 23 minutes which, I believe, was the longest flight of the day. After lunch out came a T21 which then attrached a queue of people wanting to experience the wind in their face.
Challock has big club facitilies but with the friendliness of a small club.  Not an obvious expedition destination (airspace ceilings, not far from the coast) but well worth a visit if you are in the area.
One final observation - the lauch point organisation was excellent, thanks mainly to the member of the duty team who managed the flying list and kept things moving without delay.

A quick gliding competition.

While looking for High Definition videos of gliding I found this on You Tube.
Three questions:
1. What is the pilots START height registered on his altimeter when he begins to cross the lake
2. What does the altimeter read once he's landed

3. What colour might his underpants be.......

Sunday 16th - officially 'Nice'

Evening all,

and as I collapse with my sherry after a hard day's instructing, I look back on the day and it definitely falls into the classification for 'Nice'. As I drove north out of Andover this morning I came up out of the fog, and, bar a small wadge of cloud that went through around 10-ish, it's been sunny all day. And thermic.

As you may have seen from this morning's e-post I was having a bit of a sense of humour failure when I was still on my own at just before 10am. Sunday lie-ins is one thing, but... However a flurry-ette of members arrived just in time to have the field operational in time for our 11am trial lessons.

Cloud was kicking up from first launch, but it took recent solo pilot Graham to prove that it was properly soarable on his 4th solo - Very Well Done Graham!!! While I was checking Graham out, Pete E was giving Andrew, a half-day course pilot, as much flying as could realistically be expected plus a bit, then dealing with our later trial lessons. I then flew with Jim and Evelyn both of whom took advantage of the soaring conditions and made good progress. Meanwhile an old member from the Ralph Jones days came and was escorted down memory lane by Richard.

We finally managed to wrest the K8 off Rod at the end of the day when the thermals wore out, at which point, much to his surprise, I stuck Graham into the K8 for a very nicely flown conversion flight. As you can see from his expression, I'm not sure whether he really liked it... Again, well done Graham!

Nuff said,

Liz

wave, WAVE, WAAAAAAAVVVEEEEE

I thought the weekend just gone was going to be a complete loss as far as any gliding was concerned. I had a delivery in Shropshire which was going to take up Sunday and I had planned to work on Saturday. As it happened I managed to make something of it.

I decided to charge my batteries, hitch up the glider and go somewhere in dragon territory.

After my delivery I ended in Denbigh, unhitched the glider, said hi to Kevin who was very helpful and booked into a Travelodge in Halkyn.

Bedbugs aside and damp from something horrible leaking in the bathroom, the accommodation was adequate but I’ve have been better camping in my car. The next morning I headed back to glide at Llweny Parc.

There weren’t that many people there but those who were I found warm and welcoming. I rigged and took the second launch early(ish) and found the air buoyant and interesting. I soon found an area of lift and turning into wind I started a weak climb in rotor to about 2000 feet. From then on it was a secession of climbs to 10208 feet. I remembered to push forward on each climb and keep a decent speed which needed to be in excess of 63 knots to keep in a static position relative to the ground.

I eventually got to a height where, had I been brave and turned on my artificial horizon I could have carried on climbing. I wasn’t that brave.

It was fantastic and I had views the Irish Sea and the coast from Prestayn to Colwyn Bay. The wind farm set in the sea was spectacular.

It wasn’t like XC, a much more different type of beast and one which made me nervous and somewhat anxious but I kept a good look at the clouds far below me and watched for signs of the blue hole closing. I could see the weather was changing and a higher cloud cover made any further climbs not something I was willing to take on. Smiling I opened the airbrakes and descended down to high key at Llweny. A high circuit and steep approach through turbulent rotor saw the glider land shorter than I’d planned but it was a landing!

It really is one to try again but with some of the members Shalbourne.

Long weekend at Sutton Bank

Carol, Rod, Chris and myself have just got back from a great long weekend at Sutton bank.

The ridge was not working but we still manged to get in sime extended flights and during the three days we flew we had the longst flights of the day. Carol and I even got into some weak SE evening wave which kept us at 1500 ft for 1hr 35 minutes. I last flew at Sutton Bank back in 1997 and the site is just as good and the locals are very friendly.

Looks like we will be returning for another long weekend later this year or for a longer stay next spring. If you fancy coming along let me know.

Phil

What a Day of Supprises

Well what a Day Saturday was.

Busy day with loads going on and lots of trial lessons and members going up.

Followed by a visitor dropping in for a cup of tea

And to top it all some DI deciding I was to go Solo....


Thanks Steve

Saturday 24th September

Wind straight up the strip but cloud cover (not as forecast) meant starting off the day not being able to take a full launch.  Small stirrings of excitment when Rod H managed to get a double digit duration flight (11 minutes).  10 launches and almost 2 hours later before anyone else achived this - Carol P + guest clocked up 31 minutes.  The guest was Dave Owen who made a welcome visit after many years of living aboroad.  The cloud cover did break-up and the sky started to look reasonable but the lift proved elusive.  I had a couple of 22 minute flights from the back-seat but other than that the only other double digit flights were 11 and 13 minutes.  We clocked up 39 launches and managed to introduce 6 new folks to gliding (yup, gliding not soaring - well, other than one of them who was treated to soaring to 2,900).

Saturday 17th September

I guess most members had seen the weather forecast and decided to stay at home so we were somewhat short-handed, so, we pitched in to help Colin position the new generator home over the hole in the ground.  On discovering the booked TLs were on their way we decided to make the effort and get winch and a glider out.  First launch managed 30 minutes off 2 thermals (2,300' being the highest). After that, more modest times.  John T climbed 300' on the edge of a shower while the glider was getting a good washing.  Reports of lightening being seen as Graham T and I landed resulted in a tea break being called.  An odd cloud formation appeared above the field which Graham T (impressively) as mammatus.  Richard went off to explore taking the last flight of the day.

Sunday 18th September

After setting up the airfield early the rain arrived and departed as forecasted. We flew 3 trial lessons and between showes managed some soaring flights. Honours for longest flight of the day went to Bill Orson who just failed to beat the hour with a very respectable (for the conditions) 58 mins in JMX.
With the rain and thundery stuff fast approaching discretion ruled and we promptly hanger flew the toys before they got wet again. A friend of James Holland and myself had the shortest flight at it was noted during the launch that the ASI in JMX had decided to fail possibly due to water ingress and was giving very odd indications. With the needle flicking between 30 and 80 knots the launch was abandoned at a safe height and a safe landing carried out. Its been a while since I flown with a faulty ASI so will ask our instructors to cover up the ASI when annual checks are due again, oh what fun :-)


Phil

Wednesday 14th September

After the run of scrubbed days it was good to have a flyable day in prospect - even with a lively cross-wind.  Second launch, with Carol P and Paul P, demonstrated there was lift available with their 28 minute flight but nobody else was getting anywhere close.  Couple of hours later Peter E disappeared in HZD for 3 and a half hours (longest flight of the day).  My attempt to introduce a work friend to the joys of silent flight resulted in a 4 minute flight, landing reciprocal (shortest flight of the day).  Second attempt was more successful with climbs to 3,800 and heading back after an hour.  3 other hour plus flights, 24 launches and 13 hours flown in total.

Slingsby week

A few of us had a good time at Sutton Bank a week or two ago at the Slingsby week. Alan P took the Skylark (clearly eligible), Rod took the Swales (not Slingsby, but Annex II and built in nearby Thirsk), Bill took the Ka6 (iffy but at least it's vintage wood), and EUF syndicate took their Slingsby Owl, as Paul insists it is. John D, Bob, Alan B also came to fly, plus there were several wives and Andy and family looked in a few times during the week.


The first day was a winching day, with the wind on the ridge. It's not like at Shalbourne - some people had terrible 80kt launches to 400ft before pulling off, everyone else let go even lower. Then those new to the site needed a bit of bottle to glide away from the landing area to find the lift. But the ridge was reliable and it was easy enough to climb high enough to get into thermal, some (not us) even got into the wave. Rod won the day's duration prize - 3hrs in the Swales, off 3 launches with three different P2s. He had the log corrected (delete Swales, insert P****z) but not till after had drunk the prize. What a travesty.

High pressure then settled in, so no westerlies and unfortunately an October-type cloudy anticyclone, but we had a couple of days thermalling from aerotows. Alan collected the booby prize for shortest flight of 23mins - but remember at home that would often qualify as the longest flight. Of course, as soon as the weather saw us derigging at the end of the week, the wind finally went round onto the ridge.

But despite the poor ration of flying, it was a great week and a site to be thoroughly recommended.

Sunday pic

Here is a pic that Chris took on his short xc in the LS7 when he flew down to top up his psychic energy over Avebury and Silbury Hill...

Sunday 4 Sept

Well, after a wet start to the day it cleared through pretty much as forecast - well, perhaps a little later - to give what eventually became a nice soaring day. I'd swapped with Tim but he, being in need of a few minutes extra instructing for his renewal, was also present and raring to go. Newish member Jim McCormick therefore got to fly until he begged for mercy, after which Alan S got a flip round in the difficult not-quite soarable slot.
Meanwhile Richard and others were flying the Vega, and Chris had rigged the LS7 but I managed to blag it just as it got sensibly soarable again. Messrs Robson and Gavin (oh yes, he's back!) and I passed each other somewhere towards Marlborough but I felt that I really ought to return B1 and let Chris enjoy the day which was finally brewing up around 3.30pm. On returning I actually managed to get my hands on a TL while Tim took TL returner Evelyn to pack in some follow-up airtime for the second weekend running (clearly someone who should be joining us long term!). Trevor finished the day by 'hangar flying' the Puch until he felt in danger of being lynched if he didn't return, after which we all retired to the George for a beer.

Perfect!

Wednesday 24th August

The day started with Rivar Hill in a big blue hole with no one rushing to take the first flight. Bob B declared that it must be working and took the K8 away for an hour to prove it. Everyone who flew (with one exception) enjoyed at least one soaring flight but had to contend with lumpy air and a lot of drift. Alan H set off to exercise his new XC qualification to get his silver. Having gone to Marlborough and struggled back to Rivar Hill he decided to abandon carrying on to Lasham. Keith J and I had a memorable flight with an excellent view of the crop circle (serpent) near the gibbet and then joined by lots of shinny, big-winged gliders south side of Kintbury. We needed pretty much all the 2,500' we had to make it back to the airfield.

Sunday 22nd August

Arrived to find the field arready set-up by the insomniacs but we then sat around as no one keen to just fly circuits. With the appearance of the days first TL we started flying. It soon became apparent that the wind hadn't read the weather forecast so it was change end time. Flights were rather short until 14:00 when Chris B stayed airborne for an hour. All three of our 2-seaters were kept busy with 2 TL's, 2 half day courses, visitors from Shennington and Uphavon and friends of members. As the day progressed the flying got better, higest climb I heard of was to 4,800. The C team were certainly kept busy.

The Thermal is to your left Pete

Sunday Soaring what a great way to pass the day....
Jim M decided to do some aerobatics with Pete S before the TL's started and I got a couple of goodish circuits in before being reminded to round out.... :-)


While the Duo Discus went on its merry way

Sunday 14th August

Upon seeing that the Puchacz was staying up and even climbing on its first launch of the day Carol and I set ourselves Nympsfield-Newbury as our task. With the westerly breeze showing 20kts at height and with only a 2600ft cloudbase we set off on track. Lift was good in places but some clouds just were not playing ball and lured us into long glides in search of lift. We spent quite some time over Swindon just trying to stay airborne but as we were no longer within gliding range of Rivar pressed on.

It soon became clear that we would not reach Nympsfield so wimped out and landed at Aston Down instead.

Within an hour or so the sky improved and it looked like the cloudbase was rising significantly so after refueling with a nice cup of tea we took a launch to test it out. Straight off the wire we hit a stonking thermal which took us up to cloudbase at 4500ft over the airfield so we headed back to Rivar. Two or three thermals later we were crossing the clubhouse at 120kts so no need for the retreive crew..............yahooo!

Phil

Saturday 13 August

With 5 members (4 of whom were instructors) and a low cloud base it did not bode well. However, Tim (duty instructor) had a plan - drink tea. James Holland, and guest, appeared so we got the toys out (including Colin spotting a problem with the winch and the bus winch went into service). Tim took the Roundout bus to the launch point - time for tea (and Colin donned his overalls to work on the winch). First launch ran into cloud at 1250. A few launches later James resolo'd (after a 13 year gap). We had just about run out of folks wanting to fly when John T appeared so we carried on flying. When the Puchacz was heading for the hangar Adam Cumberlege appeared so it went back online. For those who don't know Adam he was a member many moons ago before he moved from Vernham Dean to Auckland. He's a member of the Auckland Gliding Club and these days flys an ASW-20. This was the first time he'd flown a Puchacz and put it through its paces - good to see him again.
Altough the longest flight of the day was only 11 minutes we had a worthwhile day (exceptionally good vis) and clocked up 24 launches.

Pile of plates (Wed 10th Aug)

It wasn't a grest soaring day on Wednesday, with a rther stiff southwesterly breeze. But there was a nice collection of wave clouds, including this nice "pile of plates" (altocumulus lenticularis).

Task Week Day 3

Initially the weather looked good for a few 50k attempts but things soon changed for the worse.

Never the less James Hunneman in the Pirat and Rob Jarvis in the Cirrus took the bait and soon set off, conditions were not that brilliant but they pressed on. Rob decided that it was just too hard so quite rightly came back but James had got too far away to safely get back so pushed on but eventually the sink won the day and James had to pick a field.



The stubble field that James landed in was perfect apart from one thing.............it had just been spread with manure.

Still being an ex glider pilot the farmer was happy for James to be there and complemented him on his field selection. The condition of the field has prompted us to add something to the field check list.
Size, slope, shape, stock, surface, shite!

Task Week Day 2

After yesterdays multiple flights today's conditions were no where near as good but that didn't mean that we did not go XC. Colin very kindly just flew a circuit in the LS3 and then let me have a go as Carol and Geoff Seaman had the Janus. Jim launched first having loaded the Nimbus up with 4 barrels of water and set off like a scalded cat in the direction of Newbury. Carol and Geoff kindly waited for me join them after I had spent about 10 minutes at 800ft over Shalbourne before climbing away. Bullington Cross was supposed to be our first TP but poor conditions around Whitchurch made me turn back and head back towards the club. Carol made the TP and headed onwards in the direction of Didcot finally turning Oxford South and enjoying(?) a marginal final glide back.
Jim and I made it just past Didcot before deteriorating conditions made us turn back. With Jim calling out where the good lift was under a very dark street I managed to get back to Rivar.

Task week day 1

The week started off well with the Nimbus. Ls3 and Janus all getting round multiple 100k+ flights. Jim set off for RIV, LA5, DID, RIV with Colin, Carol and I in hot pursuit. Initially climbs to over 4000ft were common but approaching Basingstoke it went blue all the way to LAS and beyond. Loads of gliders waiting for a launch but not many getting away. A run in the blue out to LAS and back to Basingstoke took us down to 2000ft with organised thermals slightly lacking.

Over Aldermaston we climbed to 5000ft and headed off to DID which was reached reasonably quickly. The return leg to RIV as filled with sink and despite being 1000ft over glide we still found ourselves at 1500ft over Hungerford looking level with the airfield. Not enough height for a circuit so straight in for 127K :-)

A quick rest then off again, a stonking climb straight off the launch took us to 5000ft so a quick run to SNO, WAN, KSB, RIV was declared for 107k. Over KSB we climbed to 6600ft just to be sure we did not repeat the previous flight and headed back to RIV which we reached still at 4000ft.

Not sure where the others went for their second flight so will have to update later.

Lets see what today brings.

Phil

Jenny from the block (weekend of 30/31 July)

on Saturday Richard announced his retirement from gliding, after all once you have flown with a celebrity as famous as J-Lo what else can you achieve... (for our older members she is a popular music recording artist often found on the wireless dial somewhere between Radio 3 and classic FM).

Meanwhile, setting off under overcast skys I headed out to the north east to find brighter conditions and good, if not a little low thermals. A couple of laps up and down the country to Buckingham (in Buckinghamshire, if you don't know where that is) gave me a flight of 285km. I even managed to find Winslow...

Under the overcast skies at home much soaring was still taking place.

Sunday rounded off a soarable weekend, albeit a little blue and windy. Colin managed to find "The Wave" just north of the ridge and worked it for a while. Others contented themselves with thermals, not least Phil flying about a 1000 trial lessons - all went home happy! The challenging conditions meant we welcomed a couple of outlandees from Bicester.

(PS Richard hasnt really retired, apparently the J Lo in the log was a different one, oh well!)

Flying week

We were open for flying all week. Overall we had a good time (bar Friday) local soaring despite it not looking so good, though we were rather fewer than expected. Several flights over an hour and 5000ft on Monday and almost as good for a while on Thursday. Thursday's entertainment was enhanced by Ken's little trip to Milton Lilburn by air, return by road. That's what the sky looked like, for those not there to enjoy it themselves.

Saturday 23rd July

The day started looking good - too good, too early. Sure enough, by the time we were ready to launch it was filling in and signs of top cover approaching. First few flights were were around 20 minutes then all that was on offer were extended circuits. Early afternoon the sky started to open up a bit and Richard D disappeared with the Vega on a test flight for over half an hour (claimed the vario needed extensive testing). After that a mix of circuits and longer flights with it getting better as the afternoon progressed. The morning TL appeared in convoy - lots of family wanting to see the birthday boy flying on his 90th birthday.
All 5 club gliders out and only one syndicate one out to play. 32 launches; highest reported climb Ken H to 4,700'; longest flight Steve B 1:17.

1000km night 23-24 July?

I don't know if anyone tried it, but Saturday finished with it still being soarable when the pub beckoned, then when we came back on Sunday the thermals were still going well, so presumably it was a cracking good night. Unfortunately on Saturday there had been overcast at high level, which made the daytime soaring almost impossible. On Sunday it evidently wasn't so bad, because Phil and Chris amongst others set off on 300km flights. It seems the going got difficult though, and all gave up part way round and came home. Rumour has it Phil was looking up at the walkers on the Malverns before he got the saving thermal. (Did you get a photo Phil, or were you a tad too busy?)

Any other tales of derring do?

1st Wash Common Scout Group

1st Wash Common Scout Group posing after a great trial evening session.
See Website for more details on booking a session.

July 14th

Just goes to show that it happens to the best of us.

Spending too much time looking at his map to make sure we had turned Winslow made Carol feel a little airsick so after scrubbing off the 2500 ft we had below us we diverted over to Bicester for a short rest.

And no before you ask this is not a picture of Carol cleaning up the cockpit :-)

After a quick (in more ways than one!) aerotow we were soon on our way back to Rivar.

What is it about the 14th?

What is it about the 14th? May 14th was good, though most of us failed to see it coming. June was brilliant, see a previous blog item. July 14th was brilliant too. EVERY launch led to a soaring flight (OK apart from the check flights). Richard Barber got his 5hrs, Steve Barber (no relation) went round the Salisbury Plain danger areas and had time and inclination to top it up to 225km by also visiting Lasham and Didcot. Chris went up country but was snookered by the cloud spilling over from the Low in the North Sea, so came home again, and the Janus made a pitstop at Bicester. We also had an unscheduled pitstop by a Dunstable visitor whose turbo wouldn't start - he got it fixed and took a relight to motor back home. Other folks enjoyed local(ish) soaring, for several hours in several cases. Total time 44hrs off 26 launches, average flight 1hr 45min (excluding the short check flights)

Carnival time

We took the Puchacz to Newbury Carnival to tell the folks of Newbury what we do and and where we are. they certainly kept us busy. Surely some will come and give gliding a go for themselves.

We lost the end of the rope!!! 3rd July 2011

Today followed the recent theme, blue skies at breakfast, lovely fluffy clouds at elevenses and 8/8 overcast at lunch. Whilst we had our elevenses the thermals were good and strong, but by lunchtime we were all descending back to earth. The billion trillion zillions of flies that committed suicide on my leading edge surely didn't help!

Oh and the rope - well following a cable break the end of the cable managed to hide itself within the cable on the drum, all you could see was good cable but no end! A dozen minutes of searching seamed to be of no avail but finally Ken Reid uplooped enough wire to find the pesky little end,

Cycling again, Saturday 2nd July

We were still in the same air as Wednesday, and so we got the same sort of conditions. (Although we weren't flying Thursday and Friday, they seemed to be a repeat of Wednesday too). Of course, it wasn't exactly the same; today we had a good flight to start the day, then dead for a few hours, but this time the early afternoon flights were reporting good soaring under the spreadout, before it died again. We thought we'd finished at about 5pm, but then a visitor asked for an extra flight, and Jim decided to use the left-over cable rather than just wind it in. Just then a bit of blue sky obligingly let the sun shine on the airfield and they got away for a half-hour, until guilt at keeping the ground-crew waiting made them land.

Cycling Wed 29th June

The day started really well, with cumulus popping up from about 9.00. Trouble was, that was a bit too early, so by the time we were ready they were already overdeveloped. Bill got away in the K8 for an hour, but the clouds spread out and killed off the low-level thermals. After a couple of hours the spreadout dissolved a bit and let the sun through for long enough for Peter and Keith to get an hour apiece, but others weren't quick enough and the new clouds filled in again. Finally, at about three o'clock the sky opened up again, the cycle re-started and there was tremendous lift to 5500ft and people disappeared off for a couple of hours - south to Andover, west to Swindon, and north beyond the M4.

Sunday 19th

Long(ish) pause was not just down to the weather as we did get one noteworthy day on the 19th. All up and down until Carol and Phil flew the Janus to set "the bar" at 20 minutes. An hour later Pete and Rob notched "the bar" up another 4 minutes. Back to circuits until I took the Vega (can't bear to see a glider on the ground and a cable and nobody using it) and went away for over an hour (only brought it back as I was getting twinges from my wallet). It was difficult to make any headway into wind. The Janus launched shortley after me and seemed to using me as a thermal spotter until it broke free and pushed further into wind than me. They made a bid to get to Lynham but the clouds ran out so returned after an hur and a half. Towards the end of the day Keith collared me to take the back seat as he thought he might get a longer flight that way (there had only been one other soaring flight after the Janus had launched and quite a few circuits). Turns out he was right and we had a soaring flight as did Trevor in the Vega. Drove home along the A4 looking at a sky better than anything we'd seen all day.

A long(ish) pause?

Hmm, the last post was over ten days ago. Has nothing happened? Well, no actually, not here anyway. We've had a run of windy and wet days, hardly flyable let alone soarable. The only days with a glimmer of hope were on days we weren't open for flying. C'est la vie. Perhaps Pete can tell us how he got on at Gransden Lodge, where he was able to use a couple of days we weren't flying.

It hasn't been a lot better in Sweden, where Liz and Ayala have been competing in the women's World Championships, along with three other British lasses. They only had five contest days out of a possible ten, due to the weather - it seems all our bad weather finished up there. And of those five days, only one was a half-decent racing day. So congratulations to them - in the Club Class, Ayala finished second, only just behind the winner, and Liz was fifth in a field of 18. But Liz was well and truly robbed on the last day - she completed 123k of a 137k task, but no one else reached 100k (though several made 99k), so it was a no-contest day. Big swizz.

Splendid soaring Tue 14th

With the forecast for Wednesday being distinctly poor, and Tuesday excellent, we changed our midweek flying day accordingly. I'm writing this on Wednesday, looking at the low cloud and drizzle, so I can say with certainty it was a good call. Everyone soared for at least a half hour, although a couple launched into sink and had to try again - one was Richard, but he enjoyed 3hrs in his new Vega after a relight A couple of new members had a good taste of what soaring is about.. The Janus got to Radstock and back. All-in-all, a great day.

Saturday 11th June

Classic looking day but not many members around to start the day. Pete Smith took the first launch setting off on a mission to take advantage of the liberated Lyneham airspace, returning 4 hours later mission accomplished. Meanwhile back at the ranch (er, airfield) mixed fortunes with modest launches in the cross wind meant some got away whilst others returned. Some terrific climbs (10 up reported, 6 on the averager was the best I saw) and some height eating sink. Nigel and I took JMX to 5,400'.
Few more members appeared in the afternoon - in time to watch the rain approaching, narrowly missed us but killing the lift.

Wednesday 1st June

The reasonably promising sky filled in once the toys were out and we were ready to play.While the rest of us were pounding short circuits Bob B soared away for an hour. He returned to the airfield with the words of advice taken from a 60's pop song - "hang on to what you've got". The rest of us failed to find anything to hang on to. Mid-afternoon I decided to take a launch (in the LS3) in order to get to the other end of the field where my trailer was. It took over 2 hours to reach the other end. Lots of scratching for the first hour then things started to get easier. Trevor to longest flight honours with 2:36 in his Jantar with climbs up to 3,500'.

Open Day Photos

A few pictures from our great Open Day June 4th 2011





Launch Point Getting Busy

Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee................






One up and another one down

Here we come .....

Everyone being kept on their toes

The cable drogue gets wound in one last time after a hard day out launching.

Open day

Missed Open day? - don't worry, click here and book a trial lesson.

OPEN DAY A GREAT SUCCESS

Open Day was a great success. The weather was great - dry, mostly sunny, and warm despite a keen northeasterly wind - actually, the wind was ideal, giving us great launches. People wanting to find out more about gliding and experience it for themselves arrived steadily all day, never allowing us time to twiddle our thumbs yet never having to form a long queue. We hope to see them again soon.

Thanks to all the club members who played their various parts - instructors, winch drivers, retrieve drivers who are always needed, and those helping with people with parachutes and seat harnesses, and those who put out the posters and leaflets. A special mention for Claire who kept track of who was next to fly and making sure they did; also of course Stephen and Catriona who organised the whole event and advertising.

Flying Open Day 4th June

Fancy a day going up on the downs? Gliding Open Day Saturday 4^th June.

Looking for a family day out full of adventure in an area of outstanding natural beauty? Then walk, cycle or drive to Shalbourne Gliding Club’s airfield near Hungerford. You can join in the excitement and adventure of gliding over the beautiful downland countryside, or just watch the fun while you enjoy a family picnic with your tea, cake and biscuits. There will be discounts on trial lessons if you want to try the gliding experience. All visitors will be welcome to join in the fun, or maybe just watch and chat and find out what gliding is all about.

• Discounted Trial Lesson: £30 for a single launch and up to 15 minutes (duration of the flight is dependent upon weather conditions and may be shorter)

• Trial Lesson Vouchers purchased on the day as a gift will receive a free launch voucher worth £8:00
  (for use in the month following the use of the voucher)
• All trial lessons include one month of membership. If you subsequently join your trial lesson will be charged at member's rates, e.g. A 15 minute flight would cost £12.20
  

A blustery sort of day (28May)

Some early fettling whilst the weather improved and then some good training flights in the morning. In the afternoon 23 Girl Guides appeared over the hill on a hike and we flew a few before the rain, then it cleared and we started on flying the rest, however the wind was strengthening and gusting more and more and we decided to call it a day before the gliders took off sans pilote...

They then set about a BBQ in the shelter of the clubhouse.

Wednesday 25th May

The day started with a stronger wind than expected so we pulled out a couple of 2-seaters but with nobody rushing to launch. James H was the first to give in and when he carried on vertically after coming off the wire there was a flurry of activity in the rigging area. His flight of just over an hour turned out to be the longest of the day but there were plenty of other soaring flights.
We discovered that the trailer Rod has been touring the around the country actually contains a glider which came out to play. It was good to see the Swales flying - and even better to fly it (thanks Rod, a new type for my log book).
JMX reappeared and the test flight proved it launches well (to 2,100'), climbs well, spins nicely and the controls oh so crisp.